Freshman quarterback Chavas Rawlins will transfer from West Virginia, his former high school coach at Monessen confirmed with the Post-Gazette this afternoon.

Coach Andy Pacak said Rawlins was recruited by and had developed a strong relationship with former quarterbacks coach Jake Spavital who left to take a position at Texas A&M earlier this winter. The loss of that connection weighed on him, said Pacak.

“Everyone at West Virginia was great to him, but as you now he came in right when Jake left. His initial decision was I’m gonna go down there and make the most of it, but that (loss of Spavital) weighed on him a little bit,” said Pacak.

Pacak said Rawlins has not determined where he will transfer to yet.

“His options are open right now,” said Pacak.

The quarterback competition at West Virginia just got awfully interesting.

Florida State transfer Clint Trickett, the son of former assistant Rick Trickett, announced on twitter this morning that he will transfer to West Virginia. 

The school confirmed his transfer in a press release sent out just after 3 p.m.

Trickett is slated to graduate in May, and eligible to play immediately.

Trickett made an official visit to West Virginia to watch the Blue-Gold spring game on April 20 where neither quarterback – junior Paul Millard nor redshirt freshman Ford Childress – exhibited he was the runaway favorite to succeed Geno Smith.

That means preseason will feature a legit three-way competetion for the starting job.

Trickett spent most of his career at FSU backing up two first round picks - Christian Ponder and E.J. Manuel who went No. 16 overall last weekend to the Buffalo Bills.

He said on twitter this morning: “It's official, I will finish my academic/athletic career at WVU. This is a dream come true to be playin for the state I love. #CountryRoads”

In the prepared statement sent out by the school, Trickett said West Virginia is a fit for him.

“I’d like to first thank Florida State for all the things that were done for me,” Trickett said. “I’m excited now to continue my academic and athletic career at West Virginia University. Not only was it home for me, the place I grew up and the state I love, but also it’s the best fit for me athletically. I appreciate the recruitment by WVU and the other programs, which were all class acts, but it was hard for me to say no to the state and team that I grew up loving.“

Coach Dana Holgorsen also welcomed Trickett in the release.

“WVU football welcomes Clint Trickett home. He basically grew up in Morgantown, and I know he feels very comfortable here,” Holgorsen said. “He’s an excellent student and grew up around the game of football, which shows in his composure on the field. I am excited that he has decided to finish his career as a Mountaineer.”

Four more West Virginia players inked free agent contracts following the close of the NFL Draft on Saturday.

Both center Joe Madsen and receiver J.D. Woods signed with the Steelers, O-lineman Jeff Braun signed with the Baltimore Ravens, according to his twitter account, and RB Shawne Alston with the New Orleans Saints.

Tavon Austin was the highest player taken this year, No. 8 to St. Louis Rams, and Geno Smith withstood a slide out of the first round to be taken by the New York Jets where he will be under the scrutiny of a first rounder.

Stedman Bailey, who was expected to go in the second or third round, was the 92^nd pick overall and reunited with Austin.

Stedman Bailey was reunited with teammate Tavon Austin Friday night when he was drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the 92^nd pick in the NFL Draft.

Austin was drafted No. 8 overall on Thursday night as the first skill position player taken in the draft, quarterback Geno Smith was drafted at No. 39 Friday by the New York Jets and Bailey, as many predicted came at the tail end of the third round. 

But St. Louis? With Austin? Not sure anyone but the front office guessed that.

The two should give QB Sam Bradford plenty of weapons next year.

Bailey scored 25 touchdowns for West Virginia, had 114 receptions and 1,622 receiving yards, and that includes missing some time with an ankle injury that cut into his production.

He has incredible hands and was underrated at times sharing the spotlight with Smith and Austin during his career at West Virginia.