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While many transfers made a move to search for a chance to see game action that hadnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t previously presented itself yet, Nester wasnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t in that category, having started in 18 of the 20 games he played as a Hokie. That experience gives him an edge in becoming the line's leader.

The importance of that canòòò½ÊÓƵ™t be understated. While West Virginiaòòò½ÊÓƵ™s offensive front improved from the 2019 season to that of 2020, there are just as many rungs to climb in 2021. The Mountaineers averaged just 3.8 yards per rush in 2020, and even when sacks are eliminated from the rushing total, the Mountaineers still fell short of the four yards per carry baseline, settling at 3.96.

òòò½ÊÓƵU did yield just two sacks per game last year, but pressure led to fewer chances to go downfield and shorter gains on completions, with the result that the Mountaineers were 94th nationally (out of 127 teams) in passing yards per completion last season.

Not all of that is on the offensive line, of course, but a cleaner pocket and a few more rushing lanes will do wonders for the Mountaineer attack. While òòò½ÊÓƵU does return sometime starters Zach Frazier, James Gmiter and Brandon Yates this season, better and more consistent play remains a goal still to be reached.

For Nester, the question is, where does he fit in? At Tech, he saw the majority of his action at guard, but his 6-foot-7, 321-pound frame, coupled with what looks to be good footwork and solid initial steps, could slot him at right tackle for the Mountaineers.

Offensive line coach Matt Moore, following head coach Neal Brownòòò½ÊÓƵ™s search for versatility, worked Nester at both guard and tackle spots during the spring, and he received good reviews at both. With the tackle positions being trouble spots at times in the past, the projection from here is that Nester will wind up on the outside, and likely start the season at the right tackle spot, which he played during his high school career at Spring Valley High School.

While the improvement of every offensive lineman is critical for the upcoming 2021 season, Nesteròòò½ÊÓƵ™s performance, play and landing spot are key factors to the line's improvement. His Division I experience, totaling nearly 1,000 game snaps, gives him a great base to build upon, but for òòò½ÊÓƵU to have a successful season, he has to become not just a starter, but an anchor up front. While Gmiter has 12 starts in 20 games in his college career, Frazier has just 10 games on his resume from a year ago, while Yates has an identical number. That trio has the ability to continue to improve and come together to advance the offensive line, but much more is needed, and Nester is being counted on to do so.