It is rare when a transfer comes into camp after one week of practice, but Tacoi Sumler will do just that when he hits the field on Wednesday. Sumler (5’9″, 173)redshirted last season at Oregon and actually played in their spring game earlier this year. His accolades are high coming to Appalachian. Most notable are his skills as a speedster, with his lowest 100 meter timed at 10.49 seconds. That would have been the third quickest time in the SoCon last year, and eight tenths of a second faster than another familiar football player.
It will take some time for Sumler to learn the offense, and maybe as much time to earn some repetitions on the field. Slated to start at the wide receiver position for the Mountaineers are Tony Washington and Andrew Peacock, both redshirt juniors currently in their fourth fall camp with the Mountaineers. Sean Price is a redshirt freshman who is drawing comparisons to Brian Quick for his size, but Price was also a track star, and is much faster than Quick. Sumler is going to have to supplant Jonathan Shively, Bobo Beathard or Simms McElfresh in order to see any work on the field this year at receiver.
Most people assume you put fast guys in as a returner as well. Sometimes fast guys work there and sometimes not. Dexter Jackson was a decent punt returner, but his only returns for touchdowns were against Gardner Webb. Dexter was fast, but not quick which means he could run a straight line, but his first step was not the quickest. CoCo Hillary was a guy who wasnt the fastest on the team, but had a quick step when he changed direction. Sumler appears to have decent ball skills and its possible we could see him at kick return. I am sure the coaching staff would like to get Steven Miller off the kick return team as Appalachian is not incredibly deep or experienced at running back.