MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On if anyone is standing out in spring practices so far
(Sophomore safety) Jovanni Stewart. He is the kid who I am the most impressed with right now on the defensive side through spring that wasn’t known coming into the spring. I like the way that he is playing right now at safety. I think he can help if he can keep developing.
On if sophomore safety Jovanni Stewart is playing Spur or moving around
He is moving around. He can actually play all three. I like that. He is a smart, tough kid who can run a little bit. He just flashes on film. Every time I turn the film on he is doing something good. We will continue to rep him at different spots and see where he is the best fit.
On new players coming in and filling the roles of last year’s starters
Obviously the biggest need right now is d-linemen. We need to have some d-lineman step up and fill those voids. We are losing three starters there. With (senior linebacker) Xavier Preston at Sam replacing (Justin) Ardnt, Xavier has played so we know what we have there. The corners, (senior cornerback) Mike Daniels, (senior quarterback) (Elijah) Battle and (redshirt sophomore cornerback) Hakeem Bailey right now are doing some really good things. That is a concern. At safety, we feel good. We just don’t have a lot of guys right now depth wise. We are going to be counting on some guys in the fall and obviously, once (redshirt junior safety) Dravon (Askew-Henry) is back in action.
On senior linebacker Xavier Preston
There are a couple of things with that. Right now he knows that it is his job to lose, number one. Number two, he is a senior. He knows that his time is limited and I think that he is taking full advantage of being the guy right now. He has to continue to keep getting better and keep fighting to keep that spot.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On the depth at the running back position
Don’t forget about (freshman running back) Tevin (Bush). He should still be in high school and he seems to be playing at a high level for us right now. You take those four running backs right there and I would like to see a running back room that is better, if not even, with those group of guys. I think they are all dynamic in their own different ways. It is going to be fun as a staff just to see how we can get all of these guys involved with the game plan because I think all four of these kids can impact the game pretty easily for us next year.
On who has stood out so far this spring
That running back room, the thing that I haven’t had in a long time is that ability for the running back to hit those explosive plays of 50-plus yards. Where I have seen it happen with all of these kids right now. You are sitting in one practice and you have the one’s out there and (senior running back) (Justin) Crawford hits it for a 50 yard touchdown and the next set (sophomore running back) (Kennedy) McKoy hits it for a 50 yard touchdown. You are sitting there like, Wow, even the running backs that are going with the two’s are pretty dynamic guys that could easily be running with the ones. That running back room has probably been the most impressive to me up to this point, through the first six practices.
On who will replace the student-athletes who have left at wide receiver
I would say (junior wide receiver) Gary Jennings and (junior wide receiver) David Sills. Those are the two receivers that always seem to be jumping out to me that you can rely on. They seem to make the big catch in crucial situations. Those guys, I love their demeanor, I love their work ethic. They don’t take plays off, they are tough. I think that receiver room you will see us relying on that leadership role.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On if eight players is the minimum he would be comfortable with playing
That’s not correct. I would be comfortable with like 15 starters. To be realistic with where you are at, probably anywhere I have been, I haven’t been in a place in a long time, and once in a while you’ll get there as far as two deep, but the ultimate goal is, is to have an answer for a third guard. Now that may come from the tackle spot, it may come from the center spot, but in the third guard spot and to have an answer for a third tackle and then to have an answer for three centers. So believe me, we’re not ready to stop practice anytime soon. We have a lot of work to do, but I think we are making strides and we’re getting there.
On if there’s anyone who is comfortable flipping between guard and tackle
There are several guys that we think can play both inside and outside. We’re too early to start moving guys a bunch. We’re still in install time, we’re still trying to get the kinks worked out of our base schemes. Once everyone is comfortable with “hey look, here’s the outside zone, here’s the counter and here’s the slow screen, here’s the draw, here’s the blitz pick up,” once we all kind of know we’re all on the same page, then I’ll say ‘hey Johnny, you move to guard and hey junior you move to tackle’, then now they can communicate, but right now to start flipping them around, I’m still going to do it, but probably now is not the time to do it.
On players who have suffered injury like redshirt junior offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste and how big of a concern it may be
I’d say, if I had a strength, I don’t know that I do, but if I had one, to worry about things that I can’t control is probably one of them. However the doctors and medical experts say he needs to do whatever (football athletic trainer) Dave (Kerns) says, whatever our strength and conditioning coaches say. I live with, but at the end of the day it’s the next man up for me. So what we do is we take the next guy and we put him over here, and as soon as this guy is ready, then I’ll be concerned about what we need to do. I’m not smart enough to figure out all of the different ACL’s and ligaments and cartilages, I can’t get it all figured out.
Assistant Coach (Cornerbacks) Doug Belk
On how the change from coaching at Alabama has been
It’s been interesting, it’s been good. A little different philosophy but I’m enjoying the change and the speed of practice, getting to know the players and getting to know the people in the community. It was really fast. I got here and started recruiting, started getting to know the players and now we’re in spring football.
On what surprised him most about coming to Morgantown
The Atmosphere. Coach Holgorsen is really laid back and really generous to the players, coaches them hard, and the relationship. The music at practice, the energy is obviously the thing that intrigued me the most. He’s (Holgorsen) very intense now as far as doing a lot of things, but the music at practice and meeting style and everything is a little different from where I’m coming from.
On Head Coach Dana Holgorsen knowing when to draw the line between work and fun
He’s very distinct in what he wants. The players understand it, they know they’re going to get coached hard, they’re expecting discipline from their coach, but at the same time they enjoy coming to practice and enjoy working hard and being around each other.
Assistant Coach (Running Backs) Tony Dews
On senior running back Justin Crawford
I am really enjoying coaching Justin. He has been really good thus far, he works extremely hard. He is knowledgeable, understands the game. He has been well-coached prior to me showing up. I love him as a kid. He has always got that bright smile. I am enjoying it.
On how many players he’s going to play over the course of the season
As many of them that can play. Obviously, the big thing is trying to get them all to the point where they can play, contribute. It’s a long season. Things happen, injuries happen, things like that so you get them all prepared to play. When the opportunity comes they can take advantage of it and that just provides depth.
On the progress of the running backs through the first couple practices
I’m very excited about them. They’re doing everything they’re asked to do, they’re working extremely hard. I’m excited, I’m looking forward to it. I think they’ve progressed very well, getting used to a new coach, a different style of coaching. I think they’ve done a really good job in the meeting room and understanding what we’re trying to do, trying to pay attention to detail and things like that. I’m starting to see some of that transition onto the field where they were, in my opinion, already pretty darn good and very well coached. I’m fortunate to inherit some guys like that. They’re continuing to get better. They’re building on to what they did a season ago. It’s been nice too with (freshman running back) Tevin (Bush) being a kid that just got here mid-year. Tevin Bush, he’s certainly fitting in very well and trying to do the things we ask him to do. He’s learning some of the receiver stuff as well as (sophomore running back) Kennedy (McKoy). Obviously as coaches, we’re never satisfied, but at this point they’re trying to do the things we ask them to do and they’re playing hard.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Line) Bruce Tall
On who is taking control
It’s quite early, but there is no question (redshirt senior defensive lineman) Jon Lewis has been around quite a few years and he’s as hard of a working young man as there is. He has great leadership as far as that is concerned. He’s been around those guys, and he knows what it takes. He’s prepared himself physically to be in those positions. When you have a young player like (sophomore defensive lineman) Reese Donahue who has a lot of snaps for a true freshman, a real focused and serious young man. They’re doing the things that you want to see and have done a good job being good leaders.
On redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Adam Shuler II stepping up
Well that’s what you’re hoping for. All of them are in the feeling process of ‘how do I take that role on’. It’s not typically a natural thing for such young players. I think it’ll eventually come as they feel more comfortable.
On biggest strides sophomore defensive lineman Reese Donahue has made in the last year
I think now he is understanding the speed, being around the speed more, and obviously continuing to work on his strength. He’s already a very powerful young man, and he understands that if he wants to be a dominate player, he has to improve on that. His numbers for a young kid are off of the charts. He’s one of those guys who is a warrior in the weight room, so he’s giving you all he’s got. He’ll continue to get better.
Senior Running Back Justin Crawford
On the first couple days of spring football
It was mixed feelings. Everyone was excited to get back in pads, doing what we love. It was a great feeling.
On if there are differences between Ja’Juan Seider and Assistant Running Backs coach Tony Dews
No, not really. They both approach the game the same way or whatever, and they know what they’re talking about, so I’m just going to take that and learn it to the full of my ability and expand from it.
On his first impression after meeting Tony Dews
I don’t know. New coach, new face, just have to build some type of relationship with him and just go from there.
On if he was upset about Ja’Juan Seider leaving
No not really because everybody has a life and it goes on. You can’t sit and whine and mope about it.
On how he is approaching this season
I’m just working my butt off, trying to compete in every aspect. Push my teammates to get better, push myself to get better. I’m just trying to go all out this year.
On how much it helps being here this spring and can go through a full routine with Director, Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Joseph and the staff
I think it gives me an advantage to my standpoint because last spring I wasn’t able to do everything and when I got here in the summer, it was kind of hard for me to adapt to the workouts but now that I went through a whole summer and then coming back and now I’m in spring, I was already ready for spring coming off of last season, so it helped me out even more.
Sophomore Defensive Lineman Reese Donahue
On enrolling early last season
Early enrollment really helps, I think it is a really good thing to do. It is a really good process in how they do it and how they go about it. It really gets you tuned in to what’s going on and it is a little bit better for the transition process.
On what he is concentrating on this spring
It is the same for everyone else. Everyone wants to be competitive and we want to make each other better. We are out there competing for one ultimate goal and we try to make each other better.
On who has stepped up on the defensive line to become a leader
We are all trying to be leaders. We know we lost a lot of guys from last year that were crucial. They played amazing roles and a lot of snaps. We know we have to replace them and we don’t want one person to step up, we want everybody to step up so we are trying to create some competition, trying to have everybody become that leader. Everybody wants to be accountable.
On playing at West Virginia is everything that he thought it would be growing up
It is more than that. It is so much more than that. Going from being a fan and watching to playing on the field and kids coming up to you sometimes after the games and stuff like that, it is a dream come true. It’s more than that, I never thought it would be as sweet as it is.
Junior Wide Receiver Jovon Durante
On how he thinks everything has gone this far and what he wants to do
Everything has been going great so far, but you know there’s always room for improvement. You have to go out every day and work hard. (Assistant coach (Receivers) Coach (Tyron) Carrier is coaching us to become better every single day, and you just have to apply pressure.
On his first catch in Mountaineer uniform
Well, it was one like no other. It was a great feeling, getting my first college catch as a touchdown in Morgantown, so I think about that like it happened yesterday. I was always great to seize the moment, and you just have to move on from there and make more big plays like that.
On what he wanted to work on for the rest of spring
Well, I have to get bigger first of all. I have to work on my size and everything, and most importantly my pad level. That’s basically it.
On if size and pad level are basically the main things that will help against press coverage
Yes, and being bulked up a little bit, I can absorb the hits and everything. I can be healthy for a full season, so that’s one of the main reasons why I’m trying to get bulked up.
Junior Wide Receiver David Sills V
On if it feels like he ever left and what it feels like to be back
It feels like I left. I mean missing the season is definitely a big part that I missed, but you know no one treated me any differently. They treated me the same as if I never left. I think I came back with the same mindset, if not better to just be able to compete and contribute to the team. Obviously now I’m doing it with a clear mind at wide receiver now. I really feel comfortable being back, working with the guys, getting better and competing every day.
On what has changed with his mindset
I mean, going to junior college and getting the quarterback thoughts out of my mind, I don’t really have to regret anything. If I would have stayed here maybe I would have regretted not giving my all at quarterback, but I really have given everything I have now. Coming back, just focusing on that, had been really good for me to be able to work on the technique. (Assistant Coach (receivers)) Coach (Tyron) Carrier has been working with me ever since I got back. He’s done a great job of coaching me and the rest of the guys up. I’m really focusing and competing with the other guys rather than, being in the quarterback room and then going to play some wide receiver. Now I’m really in the room, studying film, learning technique, and all of that. That has really helped me a lot, where we are now.
On his decision to leave WVU last year
Well, I had a lot of talks with my parents and friends. For myself it was just something I needed to do for me. When I left, Coach (Dana) Holgorsen and I had a talk, and I talked to the teammates about it and everything. They all wished me the best of luck. Coach Holgorsen and I ended on great terms. He would talk to me throughout my season last year, and some other guys like (Director of Player Personnel) Coach (Ryan) Dorchester. We really left on a good relationship. Just the decision to leave, at the end of the day it was for me to give my all at something I wanted to do. I wasn’t ready to give it up yet. Going out there kind of opened my eyes that I was supposed to be a receiver, and I think that’s God was telling me to do. I think he opened the door for me to come back here and this is where he wants me to be. I’m giving it my all now, and like I said earlier, I’m focusing on the technique and culture and everything of playing receiver.
On working with redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier and redshirt sophomore quarterback Chris Chugunov and redshirt freshman quarterback Cody Saunders this season
They’ve been great. They’re all very hardworking quarterbacks. (Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Coach Spav (Spavital) has really been great with the transition of a little bit different offense with what we are doing and everything. He’s been great with working with them and working with us. We are all creating a very strong relationship together, which I think is very important for quarterbacks and wide receivers. I think we are really creating a good relationship. You can tell going into this spring we already have a lot of timing down with the quarterbacks. We are just going to keep going through spring like that and work on the timing, go out there and compete everyday going into the spring and fall camp.
On what is the biggest area he’d like to improve in going into the fall
Last time I was here I played very high, so I need to work on pad-level and just understanding how to manipulate defenders. Make them think you’re going one way and go another way. That’s really one of the major things with playing receiver is manipulating a defensive back and make him think you’re going another way when you go one way. That’s one thing that I’m starting to learn now. Using my hands to fight off defenders, reroute, and things like that. Coach (Tyron) Carrier has really done a great job of teaching me and the rest of the receivers that. Going through spring, already we’ve gotten five or six practices, but I feel like I’ve already gotten a lot better.
