Thanks largely to some severe recruiting restrictions, former Houston running back Charles Sims was reportedly looking to transfer to either Cal or West Virginia to finish out his college career. And it looks as though the Mountaineers have won the Sims Sweepstakes.
Sims told Mark Berman of Fox 26 Sports that he will transfer to WVU as a grad student and has been in Morgantown since Thursday on an official visit. He will be eligible to play immediately.
“I’m familiar with the offense and I just felt comfortable at West Virginia,” Sims said. “It feels real good to make this decision. It’s the next step in my life.”
Officially, WVU has yet to comment on the addition.
Sims announced in May that he planned on transferring from the Cougars -- that coming just months after saying he would return to UH for his senior season. No reason was given for the change of heart, but UH did impose a series of restrictions on Sims that would prevent him from being released to programs in the American Athletic Conference and the state of Texas, as well as any team on Houston’s 2013 schedule. The supplemental draft was also reportedly an option for Sims.
The Mountaineers would be getting a productive back in Sims, who rushed for 851 yards and 11 touchdowns last season in nine games. Sims is also a highly regarded receiver, finishing fifth on the team in receiving with 37 catches for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
WVU struggled running the ball consistently last year, as evident by the fact that receiver Tavon Austin started getting significant carries in November against Oklahoma and finished the year second on the team in rushing yards; injuries to Shawne Alston and Dustin Garrison, who was still coming back from an ACL tear in early 2012, played a role as well. In any case, Sims is an instant upgrade to that unit.
With Sims reportedly on board, the Mountaineers suddenly have good running back and quarterback options coming from recent transfers, as former Florida State QB Clint Trickett joined WVU in early May. The concern for the Mountaineers in 2013 has been primarily focused on the offense and replacing Austin, Geno Smith and Stedman Bailey.