MORGANTOWN - Pat White readily admits that playing his senior season in a new offense is going to create some challenges.

But West Virginia's Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback always has something to fall back on in a pinch - the Mountaineers' old offense.

"I guess that goes with anything. There are times you get in a jam and you feel like you have to go to the bread and butter,'' White said. "Sometimes it's tough trying new things, but I'm excited about it.''

After practicing four years and playing three in Rich Rodriguez's version of the spread offense, White and the rest of the offense began switching this spring to the version of the same offense preferred by new offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen. The biggest differences between the two are pre-snap motion and more of an emphasis on throwing the ball.

The biggest adjustment, of course, is for the quarterback. And White admits he had reservations about how quickly it would all come together.

"I'm definitely still learning,'' White said. "I picked up on it faster than I thought. I hadn't learned a new offense for three years, since coming out of high school. I guess it surprised me how fast I picked it up, but I'm still learning.''

Adjusting to a new offense isn't all that dissimilar to what West Virginia's basketball team went through this season, although in the case of basketball the two systems were like night and day. Several Mountaineer basketball players - and even first-year coach Bob Huggins - admitted that there were times when they would revert to elements of the offense run by former coach John Beilein in a pinch.

To a certain degree, the football team may have that same option. They aren't likely to start calling Rodriguez plays, but in many instances the two are so similar that it would be hard for White not to automatically make things look like he was running the old offense.

Either way, White isn't afraid that the Mountaineers will struggle to adjust.

"Am I afraid? No,'' White said. "It's trial and error and we've got a lot of time this summer to get out there and get it right.''

Devon Lyons might not be the only transfer wide receiver playing for the Mountaineers this fall.

Damon McDaniel, who played the past two seasons at Florida State, has told WVU he would like to transfer and is in the process of trying to get an NCAA hardship waiver for immediate eligibility. McDaniel, who grew up in Virginia, wants to get closer to home because his mother is ill and he has a young daughter there.

McDaniel, a 6-foot, 205-pounder with a two years of eligibility remaining (as well as a redshirt year), played at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach under new WVU assistant coach Chris Beatty and was considered a Top 100 recruit. He played as a true freshman and a sophomore at Florida State, but caught only three passes his first year and four his second.

McDaniel left Florida State after the first semester and is enrolled in a community college.

Lyons is transferring from Ohio State. The brother of current WVU wide receiver Wes Lyons won his case for a hardship waiver and will be eligible this fall for his senior season.

Reed Williams continues to rehabilitate after surgery was performed on both his shoulders this winter, but it will likely be August before he knows whether or not he will be ready to play this fall.

If his progress is slower than he and the coaches would like, the linebacker and last year's leading tackler (and most valuable defensive player in the Fiesta Bowl) has a redshirt to burn. He could sit out the season and return for his final year in 2009.

Williams, though, doesn't want to think about that right now.

"I try not to. If I don't redshirt I'd play my senior year, graduate in December and go on from there,'' said Williams, who is on track to graduate in 31/2 years with a degree in finance. "But there are so many ifs. It's hard to plan anything.''

If Williams does manage to play this season and finish his eligibility, he would certainly be interested in giving pro football a shot. If that fails, though, he's not sure what he will do.

"I don't know. Maybe more school,'' Williams said with a smile. "I don't think I'm ready for the work force quite yet. Maybe I'll go and get my master's, get my doctorate, maybe change majors.''

To contact staff writer Dave Hickman, use e-mail or call 348-1734.