West Virginia names Clint Trickett its starting quarterback entering 2014

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen wants to have his team’s quarterback situation sorted out before fall camp. Holgorsen officially named redshirt senior Clint Trickett the Mountaineers’ starter for the 2014 season on Tuesday.

Trickett, who transferred from Florida State before the 2013 campaign, worked his way into the starting job by West Virginia’s Sept. 28 matchup against Oklahoma State. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder engineered two late scoring drives to help the Mountaineers upend the Cowboys, 30-21.

Trickett started seven games and completed 123-of-233 attempts for 1,605 yards with sevens touchdowns last fall. In a statement, Holgorsen said Trickett’s leadership would be key for the Mountaineers moving forward.

“Clint is 100 percent healthy and is ready to play,” Holgorsen said. “He worked hard last season and showed a lot of ability and leadership and deserves the chance to lead the team as a senior. He will be out starter.”

Though West Virginia stumbled to a 4-8 record in 2013, Trickett helped the Mountaineers finish as the fourth-ranked passing offense in the Big 12 (262.3 yards per game). The offense struggled on third downs, however, and Trickett must prove he can bounce back from a shoulder injury that hampered him for much of the year. It won’t help that the roster returns just two starters on the offensive line.

Trickett might see a familiar face in West Virginia’s opener against Alabama on Aug. 30. Jacob Coker, a fellow Florida State transfer and Trickett’s former teammate, is competing for the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback job this season.