Photo by: Caleb Saunders
Gmiter Expects Improved Run Game in 2020
September 08, 2020 04:19 PM | Football, Blog
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – It took Neal Brown just three words to characterize the improvement he expects this year from West Virginia's running game.
"We better be," he said earlier today.
The only direction it can really go is up following last season when the Mountaineers failed to rush for 1,000 yards as a team for the first time since 1968.
Obviously that's not good, and the returning guys on the offensive line have vowed not to let that happen again in 2020.
One of those returners is potential-packed redshirt sophomore left guard James Gmiter, a Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team choice by Phil Steele magazine. Gmiter knows the run game has to be better this year.
"I definitely realized our struggles last year running the ball, but I really believe this offseason our buy-in from just our group in general is a lot higher than it was last year," he said earlier today. "We had some guys last year that were kind of just there, but this year we have no egos. We have a really good group and our entire starting line all the way back to our third string has put in a lot of work to improve.
Gmiter said the group has greatly improved its footwork and overall knowledge of the offense since last season.
"Honestly, this quarantine from March to now has been really good for us because coach (Matt) Moore had us on Zoom meetings every day, and we really know the scheme and all of our IDs and everything across the board right now," he said.
"Our goal from the offseason all the way to Saturday is to be the most improved offensive line in the country, and I truly believe that we will be," Gmiter added. "We've put in a lot of work over the offseason. I trust everybody on the offensive line, and they trust me, and I trust our coaching staff that we will be the most improved offensive line in the country."
Gmiter spent a good portion of 2019 just getting used to playing offensive line. The Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, resident switched sides from defensive line to offensive line during spring practice and it took him a while to get comfortable.
He played 580 offensive snaps last year at right and left guard including seven games with 50 snaps or more. He had a season-high 83 plays against Texas Tech and did not give up a sack in eight of the 12 games in which he played.
His 2019 season stats also included 15 knockdown blocks with four each coming against Texas and Oklahoma State.
That's not too bad for a guy who came to WVU looking to tackle quarterbacks instead of protect them. He admits he's still got a lot to learn.
"The learning curve was a lot worse last year than it is this year just because I came fresh over during the spring, so I had a couple of weeks to learn the offense before decisions were made about depth charts and everything," he said. "We all stayed in Zoom meetings during the summer and really learned this offense from the back of our hands to the front."
Despite being one of the most experienced returning players this year, Gmiter said he doesn't feel the need to take on the role of on-field instructor this fall. He said the other guys are just as knowledgeable.
"(Left tackle) Junior (Uzebu) has put in a lot of work this offseason to really know the offense, and I feel really comfortable with him next to me," Gmiter noted.
He believes the biggest difference this year is the physical nature of the offensive line. That was sometimes lacking last season, partly because so many guys were so young and inexperienced.
It's hard to maul somebody when you're not really sure who to maul.
"This is one of the more physical groups since I've been here," Gmiter said. "Mike Brown is nasty. He always tries to finish people in practice and the coaches kind of have to tell him to lay off a little bit. As coach Moore always says, he's rather to tell you to slow up than giddy up. That's a big improvement for us.
"Chase (Behrndt) is nasty. He's a relentless player. He stays on his blocks. Our technical footwork has gotten a lot, lot better. Coach Moore implemented a new drill where we have T-boards and it really got our footwork right."
Gmiter didn't mention himself on the nasty list, but he fits that category as well, which is somewhat surprising considering he's a new father.
Gmiter and his wife, Quin, have an infant daughter, Ryott Jay. He is one of two fathers on this year's offensive line – the other being Brown.
"My wife has been a real key point to keep it together," Gmiter admitted. "She took it upon herself to really take care of Ryott and make sure she gets what she needs while I am gone for a 10 hours a day, especially during camp. She did a really good job, and I'm thankful to her for that. It's definitely different, but I enjoy it, and it's the best job I will ever have."
Gmiter said he occasionally swaps parenting advice with Brown, but their conversations have mostly been about supporting and encouraging each other.
"It's nice having another dad on the O-line, and we both know the struggles that we are going to go through and we can sort of pick each other up if things are going bad. I'm glad he's in this with me," he said.
It's also safe to say Neal Brown is glad James Gmiter is out there with him this year as well.
"We better be," he said earlier today.
The only direction it can really go is up following last season when the Mountaineers failed to rush for 1,000 yards as a team for the first time since 1968.
Obviously that's not good, and the returning guys on the offensive line have vowed not to let that happen again in 2020.
One of those returners is potential-packed redshirt sophomore left guard James Gmiter, a Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team choice by Phil Steele magazine. Gmiter knows the run game has to be better this year.
"I definitely realized our struggles last year running the ball, but I really believe this offseason our buy-in from just our group in general is a lot higher than it was last year," he said earlier today. "We had some guys last year that were kind of just there, but this year we have no egos. We have a really good group and our entire starting line all the way back to our third string has put in a lot of work to improve.
Gmiter said the group has greatly improved its footwork and overall knowledge of the offense since last season.
"Honestly, this quarantine from March to now has been really good for us because coach (Matt) Moore had us on Zoom meetings every day, and we really know the scheme and all of our IDs and everything across the board right now," he said.
"Our goal from the offseason all the way to Saturday is to be the most improved offensive line in the country, and I truly believe that we will be," Gmiter added. "We've put in a lot of work over the offseason. I trust everybody on the offensive line, and they trust me, and I trust our coaching staff that we will be the most improved offensive line in the country."
Gmiter spent a good portion of 2019 just getting used to playing offensive line. The Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, resident switched sides from defensive line to offensive line during spring practice and it took him a while to get comfortable.
He played 580 offensive snaps last year at right and left guard including seven games with 50 snaps or more. He had a season-high 83 plays against Texas Tech and did not give up a sack in eight of the 12 games in which he played.
His 2019 season stats also included 15 knockdown blocks with four each coming against Texas and Oklahoma State.
That's not too bad for a guy who came to WVU looking to tackle quarterbacks instead of protect them. He admits he's still got a lot to learn.
"The learning curve was a lot worse last year than it is this year just because I came fresh over during the spring, so I had a couple of weeks to learn the offense before decisions were made about depth charts and everything," he said. "We all stayed in Zoom meetings during the summer and really learned this offense from the back of our hands to the front."
Despite being one of the most experienced returning players this year, Gmiter said he doesn't feel the need to take on the role of on-field instructor this fall. He said the other guys are just as knowledgeable.
"(Left tackle) Junior (Uzebu) has put in a lot of work this offseason to really know the offense, and I feel really comfortable with him next to me," Gmiter noted.
He believes the biggest difference this year is the physical nature of the offensive line. That was sometimes lacking last season, partly because so many guys were so young and inexperienced.
It's hard to maul somebody when you're not really sure who to maul.
"This is one of the more physical groups since I've been here," Gmiter said. "Mike Brown is nasty. He always tries to finish people in practice and the coaches kind of have to tell him to lay off a little bit. As coach Moore always says, he's rather to tell you to slow up than giddy up. That's a big improvement for us.
"Chase (Behrndt) is nasty. He's a relentless player. He stays on his blocks. Our technical footwork has gotten a lot, lot better. Coach Moore implemented a new drill where we have T-boards and it really got our footwork right."
Gmiter didn't mention himself on the nasty list, but he fits that category as well, which is somewhat surprising considering he's a new father.
Gmiter and his wife, Quin, have an infant daughter, Ryott Jay. He is one of two fathers on this year's offensive line – the other being Brown.
"My wife has been a real key point to keep it together," Gmiter admitted. "She took it upon herself to really take care of Ryott and make sure she gets what she needs while I am gone for a 10 hours a day, especially during camp. She did a really good job, and I'm thankful to her for that. It's definitely different, but I enjoy it, and it's the best job I will ever have."
Gmiter said he occasionally swaps parenting advice with Brown, but their conversations have mostly been about supporting and encouraging each other.
"It's nice having another dad on the O-line, and we both know the struggles that we are going to go through and we can sort of pick each other up if things are going bad. I'm glad he's in this with me," he said.
It's also safe to say Neal Brown is glad James Gmiter is out there with him this year as well.
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