ESPN Big East Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett

	Paul Jasienski/Getty Images
	All-purpose Mountaineer Jock Sanders is West Virginia's second most valuable player.

Everybody knows Pat White is West Virginia's most valuable player. But it may surprise you to learn whom Bill Stewart ranks as No. 2 on that list.

The Mountaineers head coach said Monday that Jock Sanders is second only to White in team importance right now. If you're not sure who Sanders is, you're about to find out.

That's because Sanders will line up as the starting slot receiver, serve as Noel Devine's backup at running back and return kicks and punts. In other words, he's going to have the ball in his hands a lot more than he did last season, when he compiled totals of 105 yards rushing and 102 yards as a true freshman.

"I've got a great chance to be a main player this year," he said. "Not a whole lot of people know about me. My talents have been hidden."

But not for much longer. Sanders inherits the position occupied last season by Darius Reynaud, who was by far the Mountaineers' most productive receiver. Stewart has promised to spread the ball around more this season, and he wants Sanders to be heavily involved in the offense.

"He brings so much to the table that we've got to use him on more than just bubble screens," Stewart said. "We're going to try to push the ball vertically down the field to him. We're going to try to horizontally space out the defense and get the ball to Jock Sanders somehow. He's going to be very exciting. He's a tremendous football player."

At a glance, it's easy to confuse Sanders and Devine. They're both sprites --- Sanders is listed at 5-foot-8, 185 pounds, while Devine goes 5-8 and 173. They're both from Florida's Gulf Coast, as Sanders hails from St. Petersburg and Devine comes from Fort Myers. They both sport iced-out grills in their smiling media guide photos. And, of course, they're both ridiculously fast.

Sanders said he and Devine treat each other "like brothers" and that they've never raced one-on-one. But Devine ran the 40-yard dash in 4.30 seconds during West Virginia's spring drills, while Sanders posted a 4.32.

"He might be a little faster," Sanders said. "But as long as we're both scoring touchdowns, we'll both be happy."

Sanders has had to learn the playbook inside and out to prepare for both the wide receiver and tailback positions. But he said that helps him because he always know where the open spots will be.

Getting the ball in open space is the crux of West Virginia's offense. Who does a defense key on when White, Devine and Sanders all pose threats?

"It's pick your poison," Sanders said.

Sanders' real first name is Jockeé, which was given to him by his mother, LaTonya. He shortened it because he said nobody could pronounce it.

If things go according to West Virginia's plans, everyone will know the name Jock Sanders very soon.