SUMMERSVILLE — As individuals, Noel Devine and Jock Sanders are a handful for defensive coordinators who must contain the two explosive West Virginia playmakers.

And it was as individuals that the two came to Bill Stewart shortly after WVU’s 33-21 loss to Florida State in the Gator Bowl in January.

They wanted the coach to know they were considering foregoing their senior seasons at WVU to take a shot at the NFL, where, most assuredly, they would have been drafted.

“And I told them both the same thing,” Stewart said Tuesday after signing over 400 autographs at Northside Automotive during an afternoon meet-and-greet with area fans.

“If you’re going to get drafted in the first, second, even the third round, you might want to consider it.”

Both considered.

But it didn’t take long for the two to come to the same conclusion.

They wanted to come back to West Virginia.

Obviously, the news was met with great enthusiasm by Stewart, a man who generates a great deal of enthusiasm himself.

“I think it’s great,” he said.

“Obviously, they are taking a risk by coming back, the same way (WVU basketball standout and senior) Da’Sean Butler took a risk. That’s sports, and it’s football.

“But they want to be a part of something bigger. They both have a chip on their shoulder, a positive chip. They feel like they have something to prove. And they both think that this team has a chance to be special. They wanted that senior year.”

Devine will enter the season as one of the top backs in the nation.

Last year, he rushed for 1,465 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 177 yards and a score.

Sanders caught 72 passes last year for 688 yards and three scores.

The duo returning will obviously impact the program on the field.

But off the field, too, Stewart said.

“I think it speaks volumes about how they feel about Mountaineer football and West Virginia University,” he said. “In my opinion, both of those young men would have been drafted. I’ve heard some people say it was not a smart move. Look, you only get one chance to be a senior.

“You’ve seen it in our program. Stevie (Slaton) and ‘Pacman’ Jones never had that senior year. Now, these kids have had some success.

“But look at Patrick White. He came back. And I think maybe (Devine and Sanders) saw that and they saw how important it was to Patrick.”

Expect both to pay huge dividends if healthy.

Devine, who had a little under 20 carries per game last year, will be up around 25 this year, according to his coach.

And he would like to see Sanders average at least 10 touches a game.

Stewart also shed some more light on the quarterback situation, saying the job is Geno Smith’s to lose, despite the fact he didn’t participate in contact drills during the spring.

“Obviously, it set him back some,” Stewart said. “If it didn’t help, we wouldn’t do it, so you want your quarterback in there. But Geno is going to be fine.”

Coley White is going to be switched to slot, at least early in fall camp.

Stewart is going to take a long look at true freshmen Barry Brunetti (who is already on campus) and Jeremy Johnson.

“We want to see if one or both of those young men can step up,” Stewart said. “If one shows he can be the guy, he’ll compete with Coley for the number 2 (quarterback) and we’ll redshirt the other. If they both step up, we’ll be set.”