Turning the Trick
April 02, 2006 04:55 PM | General
April 2, 2006
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia has had success in the past taking high school running backs and turning them into productive linebackers. Senior Boo McLee is one that comes to mind right away. Well, West Virginia is looking to turn the trick once again with redshirt freshman Ovid Goulbourne.
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| Freshman linebacker Ovid Goulbourne is doing his part this spring to get noticed.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks |
The Easton, Pa., product was one of that area’s top running backs two years ago gaining 1,300 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns as a senior and finishing his career with more than 3,000 yards and 39 touchdowns. Goulbourne was named the Easton Express-Times player of the year in 2004 and was considered one the state’s top 25 high school football players.
But he came to West Virginia knowing that he was going to tackle the guy with the football instead of being the one carrying it.
“I came in knowing I was going to play linebacker,” he said recently. “It was just something that I had to adjust to and I’m still adjusting. It’s going to take a little bit of time but I’m excited to learn and I’m starting to put my game together with the help of the coaches.”
The 6-foot, 220-pound athlete admits there are things that he can take from playing running back that can help him on defense.
“Everything in football helps something else,” he said. “Being a running back and understanding what the offense is trying to do, it helps.”
Goulbourne is currently working behind McLee at the will position. And while it is a stretch for Goulbourne to unseat an established player such as McLee, he’s taking the approach of doing whatever he can this spring to get noticed.
“I want to be in a contending spot to get out onto the field … not necessarily a starting position although that would be nice,” he said. “I just want the opportunity to play.”
One man that has taken notice is West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez, who has made several unsolicited comments about the way Goulbourne has played so far this spring.
“He’s an athlete,” Rodriguez says. “Obviously he can run and I think he’s a pretty physical player. He’s still learning because he was a running back in high school but he’s a very talented young guy and a great guy. He’s eager to learn and he’s very conscientious.”
The coach has said repeatedly this spring that he would like to get more players ready to play next fall.
“We want to play more people,” Rodriguez said. “Our goal is to play even more people on a regular basis, not just on special teams. But you’ve got to be good to win with for us to play you. I think guys like Ovid are the ones that we hope can get to that point.”
In order to get into the mix, Goulbourne says he spends each practice observing McLee, Jay Henry, Marc Magro, Bobby Hathaway and the rest of the older players to try and pick up things that will help him.
“I need to understand the plays and just read the offense,” he said. “It’s taking a little bit of time because I’ve never played that defensive position before.
“I’m thinking too much and I just need to play and get into the flow. That comes with understanding the plays and developing more as a player,” Goulbourne said.
“I’m not being as aggressive as I’d like to be.”
Goulbourne readily takes advice and accepts constructive criticism. He’s willing to turn into a sponge and soak up whatever he can to become a better player.
“There is never too much for me. I like learning,” he said. “I need all of the help that I can get and I’m getting it.”
The freshman admits his biggest difficulty right now is diagnosing plays.
“It’s a little tough,” he said. “It’s a different mindset but once I get the hang of it and get into the flow of the different tempo and the speed of the game I think I’ll be fine.”
Goulbourne has already made strides physically, adding 10 pounds during winter workouts to bring him up to 220. He says he’d like to play next year at 225 with an ultimate goal of weighing 230.
“I’ve gotten stronger and I’m bigger,” he said. “I think I’m progressing well from when I first came here.”
There have been times, however, when Goulbourne misses running the football. It’s hard not to when you’ve been as successful as he’s been.
“You’re always going to miss it but you’ve just got to get past that,” Goulbourne said.
From the looks of things, it appears he already has.
Briefly:
“Jetavious Best and Tyler Benoit are trying to learn and it’s really difficult for them right now,” Rodriguez said. “When there are so many fine points in just one play … we can talk about the zone play for five hours. I’ve got to careful about not overloading them too much mentally.”
“I’ve seen Johnny Dingle do some good things and I think Keilen Dykes has been solid,” he said. “I’ve been pleased with Pat Liebig.
“As for our concerns with the safety position, I feel a little better about it this spring and I think Eric Wicks is a guy that has obviously made a lot of plays. Eric may be the most talented safety we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Rodriguez noted. “Eric Wicks should be one of the best safeties in the Big East this year.”
“Pat (McAfee) missed a couple of field goals but he’s just got to be more disciplined in keeping his head down and following through with the kick,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been pleased with the snaps and Travis McClintic has done a good job with the holding.
“Maybe during the next scrimmage we will go all-out live and see how they kick then,” Rodriguez said.
