Doug Nester Explains Decision to Return, Getting Reps at a Not-So-New Position
West Virginia returns all five members of its starting offensive line this fall, following the decision of Doug Nester, who will be entering his fifth year of college ball.
At the end of the 2022 season, Nester had a decision to make. Go pro or come back for one more year to try and improve his draft stock. It didn't take him long to make up his mind, quickly realizing that returning made the most sense.
"I really just had to talk it over with my family, talk it over with the coaches, and really just see what was the best option for me. Talking it out with them it was an easy decision. It was really just them being honest with me. I asked them for honesty [in] what they thought, where I would go. Just having deep conversations with them about whether or not I should come back. That's all I wanted was honesty."
The Huntington, WV native was a consensus four-star recruit coming out of high school and played two years at Virginia Tech before returning to his home state to play for WVU. As a true freshman, Nester started 10 games for the Hokies at right tackle. The following year they would slide him inside to play right guard, which is where he's been since. However, that could change in his final year of college ball as he has been taking reps at right tackle in the first few days of spring practice.
"It's going really well so far. It's nothing new to me. I actually enjoy it a lot better. I just feel like it's more natural not being inside and being contained. Playing tackle you're on an island and it's more of you versus the man in front of you. At guard usually, you're on double teams or you're working with somebody."
If Nester does end up sticking at right tackle in 2023, it would certainly increase his draft stock, proving that he has positional flexibility which is huge for guys who aren't going to be drafted in the top two or three rounds. As for the team, it would give them consistency at the position after Ja'Quay Hubbard and Brandon Yates essentially split reps right down the middle a year ago.
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