West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart delivered the biggest news of the offseason Thursday, formally announcing that running back Noel Devine and slot receiver Jock Sanders will forego the NFL Draft and return to WVU for their senior seasons.

“On behalf of the Mountaineer football family, we are excited that Noel and Jock will remain as student athletes here for their senior years,” Stewart said in a release. “Obtaining their degrees and preparing for life after football is of utmost importance to them and to our program.”

Devine, a Ft. Myers, Fla., native and all-Big East performer, finished the 2009 season with 1,465 rush yards and 13 touchdowns. He has 3,381 career rush yards, which ranks fifth all-time, in program history.

“It’s all about unfinished business on the field and in the classroom,” Devine said in the release. “WVU and my coaches are doing a great job of preparing me for the NFL and for life after football.

“Now it’s time for my senior season with my teammates -- and I want it to be a special one, so I am going to give even more. I want to be the first member of my family to finish with a college degree, and I want to bring back a championship to Morgantown. I really enjoy playing in front of the greatest fans in America, but my ultimate goal is to earn my degree.”

Sanders, a St. Petersburg, Fla., native, has led the team in receptions the last two seasons. As a junior, Sanders totaled 72 catches for 688 yards and three touchdowns. Over his career, Sanders has 137 receptions for 1,252 yards and 10 touchdowns, fifth all-time on the school's career reception list.

“Coming back for my senior season will not only help me gain more experience and knowledge on the football field, but most importantly like Noel, I also will be the first in my family to earn a college degree,” Sanders said in the release. “West Virginia has been in national prominence since I’ve been here. We want to win a championship next season and take our program to another level.”

Retaining the services of Devine and Sanders will help WVU break in a new starting quarterback next season, as senior Jarrett Brown has completed his eligibility.
Sophomore Geno Smith, of Miramar, Fla., figures to take over at quarterback, but will have open competition against Coley White and true freshmen Barry Brunetti and Jeremy Johnson; Brunetti and Johnson are expected to sign National Letters of Intent next month and officially enroll in school this summer.

The Mountaineers will replace senior wide receivers Alric Arnett and Wes Lyons, but appear to have  promising options on the roster and in the 2010 recruiting class.

Along with Sanders, receivers Bradley Starks, Tavon Austin, J.D. Woods, Logan Heastie and Ryan Nehlen will fill out the early depth chart. Among the wide receiver recruits  verbally committed to WVU are Darius Millines, Quantavious Leslie, Fred Pickett and Deon Long, who has enrolled in school following a one-year stint at Hargrave Military Academy.