WVU Kicks Off Spring Football Work Tuesday

Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks

March 20, 2023 04:49 PM | Football

By: John Antonik

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Spring work for Mountaineer football begins Tuesday and will consist of 14 practices leading into the Gold-Blue Spring Game at Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday, April 22.

Spring practice this year will be continuous for a month with no breaks, as was not the case in the past. Coach Neal Brown met with media on Monday to outline his team's plans.

"It's a fun time of year," he said. "We had a strong winter. We've really focused on overall athleticism during the offseason, and I'm pleased with where our guys are. Our guys are leaner, and they look better. I think you are going to see that when you watch them."

Brown said NCAA rules now permit teams to do some fundamental work during the winter and his staff has been able to take advantage of that. He indicated the No. 1 objective this spring is to establish an identity.

"We've kind of treated January as a new beginning even though we're going into year five here, but we've kind of gone back to the basics and really what we want to do is establish our identity in four ways," Brown said.

"First of all, we want to be disciplined. The second thing is strain and playing with extreme effort. The third thing is physicality and that's something we've really got to work on this spring from a blocking and tackling perspective.," he said. "The fourth thing is being smart. We've got to put a focus on situational football and just being better in certain situations."

This spring will feature more 11-on-11 work, particularly after the first six practices of installation.

"The back part of the spring will be more playing. Now how much we'll tackle to the ground, we'll see," Brown said. "I think we need to play."

Offensively, Brown mentioned the program has been energized by the recent staff additions of Bilal Marshall and Blaine Stewart. Additionally, Chad Scott has been promoted to offensive coordinator, with Brown indicating previously that he will once again be involved in play-calling responsibilities.

Offensive line and running back are clearly two areas of strength. West Virginia has all but 13 yards returning from a ground attack that averaged 171.5 yards per game in 2022.

Tony Mathis Jr. (562 yards), CJ Donaldson Jr. (526), Justin Johnson Jr. (430) and Jaylen Anderson, who ran for 155 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the regular season finale at Oklahoma State, give the Mountaineers one of the deepest backfields in the Big 12.

"We've got to find a way to get multiple running backs on the field, and we will work on that some this spring," Brown said. "CJ Donaldson will practice, but he will be somewhat limited as he continues to recover from surgery at the end of the fall."

The offensive line features returning All-Big 12 center Zach Frazier, touted left tackle Wyatt Milum and senior Doug Nester, who opted to return for a fifth season in 2023. The ground game features four different ball carriers who rushed for more than 100 yards in a game last year, including quarterback Garrett Greene.

Brown said the quarterback battle between Greene and redshirt freshman Nicco Marchiol will likely continue into the fall, with both players getting equal reps.

For the first time in his WVU tenure, Brown will have quarterbacks with outstanding mobility.

"Unless it's really clear, I don't plan on making a decision until we get into fall camp," Brown said. "We're playing the long game on this."

The wide receiver corps is going feature lots of new faces with the top four pass catchers gone from a year ago. Cortez Braham and Jeremiah Aaron are the top two returners but combined to grab just 26 passes for 271 yards and one touchdown last season.

Although he will be limited this spring, Brown said defensive back Davis Mallinger has been moved to wide receiver to help bolster that position.

Tight end Treylan Davis and slot receiver Preston Fox are the only other receivers to record catches in 2022. NC State transfer Devin Carter and Kent State transfer Ja'Shaun Poke at receiver, and LSU transfer Kole Taylor at tight end, are expected to make immediate impacts in the passing game.

"At receiver, it's going to be about who is going to be the guy?" Brown said. "Who is going to fill that role of being the go-to guy? Devin Carter has obviously done that at another school, and we have high expectations for him."

Defensively, West Virginia's top three tacklers are back in middle linebacker Lee Kpogba, and safeties Aubrey Burks and Marcis Floyd.

Defensive end Sean Martin headlines a remodeled defensive line, while every player in the secondary who made an interception last year returns.

"Defensive line, we've got some newcomers there and some guys that have to increase their role. We're going to really push them," Brown admitted. "We have got to be able to establish the line of scrimmage, so that's going to be a point of emphasis."

Brown indicated Burks played at an elite level at times, and he anticipates significant growth this spring from youngsters Jacolby Spells and Andrew Wilson-Lamp. Both players had limited experience in the secondary last year.

The veteran coach is also excited about the athleticism and talent that's been assembled in the linebacker room. He said bandit Jared Bartlett is coming off his best winter and freshman James Heard Jr. could be the most explosive pass rusher coming out of high school he's ever signed.

Other notable defensive returners include defensive tackles Edward Vesterinen, weakside linebacker Lance Dixon, backup middle linebacker Caden Biser, spear Raleigh Collins III, defensive back Malachi Ruffin and safety Hershey McLaurin.

All of them were listed on the two-deep roster for West Virginia's season-ending game at Oklahoma State.

"On defense, it's really about getting back to basics," Brown said. "We did not play up to our standards last year, and we've simplified from a schematic standpoint. Early on, alignment and communication are going to be the focal point on that side of the ball."

Special teams-wise, Oliver Straw had 17 punts downed inside the opponents' 20-yard-line and had 24 fair-caught last year, while the kicking game will include the addition of Georgia State transfer Michael Hayes.

Aaron was last year's top kickoff returner while Poke returned kicks at Kent State.

Transfers Montre Miller (Kent State) and Davoan Hawkins (Tennessee State) will be available this spring, as will December signees Heard, Sean Boyle, Johnny Williams IV, Jahiem White, TJ Johnson, Ben Cutter, Josiah Trotter and Josiah Jackson.

Brown indicated Frazier will be limited in scrimmage situations this year, which will enable Brandon Yates to take some reps at center. He will also get some work at guard, while Nester will take some reps at right tackle.

Last year, Tomas Rimac emerged at left guard when James Gmiter was lost for the season, while Ja'Quay Hubbard got plenty of work with Yates at right tackle.

Defensive tackle Jalen Thornton and wide receiver Graeson Malashevich will also be limited this spring, and defensive lineman Taurus Simmons has been moved to defensive end, according to Brown.

Former Cincinnati transfer Zeiqui Lawton continues to recover from surgery last season and Asani Redwood was injured during winter workouts. Those two will not be available this spring.

Tuesday's opening practice will be closed. Coordinators Jordan Lesley and Scott will be made available to the media at noon while the first opportunity to interview players will be Thursday afternoon.

"This is our first opportunity to get it fixed, and we're not trying to hide from last year not being good enough," Brown said.

Tickets are now available for the 2023 season through WVUGAME.com. Ticket renewals can be purchased here and new season tickets purchased here.