ESPNMAG.com - The Blitz: House warming

New West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez is rebuilding in Morgantown, perhaps with a House already in place. Bruce Feldman has that and plenty of other tidbits in this week's Blitz.

Rich Rodriguez' quarterback of the future at West Virginia may actually be a quarterback from his past. J.R. House, the record-setting prep passer from Nitro, W.Va., who has spent the past two seasons as a catcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, told ESPNMAG.com that he is considering walking on and battling for the Mountaineers' starting job this summer.

"I really like Coach Rodriguez' system and would love to play for West Virginia," said the 21-year-old, who passed for over 14,000 yards in high school and threw for 10 TDs in the state title game in 1998. "But a lot of things will come into play and I want to see what the Pirates do."

The 6-1, 218-pounder is coming off a dazzling season at Class A Hickory, where he hit .348 with 23 HRs and 90 RBIs -- nearly winning the Sally League's Triple Crown despite missing almost a month due to mononucleosis. The Pirates have even invited House to spring training next month, but he that was before Pittsburgh gave all-star catcher Jason Kendall a six-year contract extension.

"This isn't about money at all," House says. "It's about the opportunity to play. I don't see Jason switching positions."

House says the Kendall extension and the announcement of Rodriguez taking over in Morgantown got him to thinking about a return to the gridiron. He started throwing about six weeks ago down in Orlando and he's studying tapes of Coach Rod's scheme from when he was at Tulane. Expect Rodriguez to go with a spread attack similar to what he ran with Shaun King, rather than the fastbreak scheme that Woody Dantzler piloted at Clemson.

Two years ago, House almost signed on with Tulane because he was such a believer in Rodriguez. The two have spoken a few times over the holidays, and House says he hopes to make a decision by late June.

Quick Slants

Don't be surprised if QB Josh Booty reconsiders his decision to return to LSU and applies for the NFL draft. The strong-armed former minor league infielder believes Rohan Davey's stellar performance in the Peach Bowl leaves him looking at a tough fight to get playing time, and Booty might have a better shot wowing NFL scouts with his physical skills in workouts.

Assistants switching jobs tend to get lost in the coaching shuffle, but don't overlook the move of OC Alan Borges to Cal. In his last two stops, he transformed Oregon's Tony Graziani and UCLA's Cade McNown into NFL QBs. Neither had half the arm Cal's Kyle Boller has.

From the rich-get-richer category: Phil Fulmer made a great addition to his staff at Tennessee by hiring ex-Georgia O-line coach Doug Marrone. The 36-year-old Bronx native is one of the top 10 recruiters in the country and is one of the most respected young position coaches in the business. He replaces TE coach Mark Bradley.

Expect prep receivers to look at Auburn with new eyes after the decision of WR Ronney Daniels to jump to the NFL. Blue-chippers Ratavious Biddle and Anthony Mix are intrigued by the Tigers' system and the chance to play right away for an SEC title contender.

With best friend Justin Fargas returning to SoCal, rumors abound that FSU D-lineman Travis Johnson -- the nation's top prep pass-rushing recruit last year -- will follow suit. And they are right ... sort of. "I definitely plan on returning to L.A.," Johnson told ESPNMAG.com after the 'Noles' Orange Bowl loss. "But I'll be doing so when FSU goes to the Rose Bowl next year to win the national title."

Pittsburgh coach Walt Harris will get a good look from Buffalo for the vacated Bills head coaching post. Harris, who spent some time in the NFL with the Jets, is rumored to be high on the Buffalo list along with former Bills DC Ted Cottrell.

Bruce Feldman covers college football for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at bruce.feldman@espnmag.com.