--It was an overcast day that was actually a little more chilly than expected to start, but offensive coordinator Chad Scott pretty much set the tone from the start with the phrase "bring your own sunshine today." At this point of the spring you worry a little about the energy and effort on a day like today, but credit to both the players and coaches because that definitely wasn't the case. Overall, there was a lot of enthusiasm across the board and it played out on the field.
--Again depending on the drills players rotated in and out of units but the first look on defense I got was DL: Sean Martin, Fatorma Mulbah, Eddie Vesterinen. LB: Caden Biser, Josiah Trotter, Tyrin Bradley and DB: Aubrey Burks, Anthony Wilson, Jaheem Joseph, Garnett Hollis and Ayden Garnes. Again, it's important to note that all the positions rotated with Hammond Russell, Corey McIntyre rotating at DL, Ben Cutter, Tray Lathan and Reid Carrico working in at LB and various pieces coming in and out of the secondary.
A second team unit was Corey McIntyre, Hammond Russell and Taurus Simmons up front, Ben Cutter, Reid Carrico, Brayden Dudley at LB and Raleigh Collins, Aden Nelson, Israel Boyce Jordan Jackson and Deuce Shabazz at defensive back. TJ Crandall looked to be off the field working with a hamstring injury. Also saw Ty French and others working in with the first/second units.
--The first unit on offense was Garrett Greene under center, Jahiem White in the backfield and EJ Horton, Rodney Gallagher, Traylon Ray and Treylan Davis at the skill spots, while the offensive line was Wyatt Milum, Sully Weidman, Landen Livingston, Ja'Quay Hubbard and Nick Malone serving as the first team offensive line. With the first team unit, Brandon Yates was not participating today and while he was on the field he did not have pads and was walking around observing and encouraging. Like with the defense, the players rotated in and out with others.
--A second team offensive line unit that repped at times was Johnny Williams, Mo Hamilton, Cooper Young, Nick Krahe, Xavier Bausley.
--West Virginia worked on special teams drills including punt return where Preston Fox had a really nice return up the sideline. He has definitely added some weight and looks faster but what stands out about him in that role is how fearless he is when it comes to catching the ball in traffic. He was joined back there in the return line by Rodney Gallagher and Tyler Evans.
--Offensive line coach Matt Moore was really getting after his guys during positional work and kept them focused. He said several times, "don't get bored with details," when explaining what he wanted out of them in the various sets.
--Watching the defensive line it was very apparent the difference in watching a pair of seniors and a fair of true freshmen doing drills. It was almost second nature to the seniors as they breezed through what AJ Jackson was asking out of them but the freshmen had to do several takes. Hammond Russell has always stood out due to his size, but seems to be playing at a higher level this spring and is really engaged.
--Josiah Trotter stands out physically in that linebacker room. He is big and moves well. It will be interesting to see just what kind of role he can carve out. The linebacker room as a whole looks as good as it has in quite some time with both depth and size/athleticism.
--Jeff Koonz teased some of his players when they were returning fumbles that he was going to put their face on social media as he's been doing with standout players. One quote he had when he was trying to get his point across as players were stripping the ball out, recovering it and returning it was "we are practicing winning," he said.
--Wide receivers and defensive backs had some really good one-on-ones on the left end of the field. Preston Fox was able to get behind Garnett Hollis for a deep touchdown where he made an impressive catch. EJ Horton, who definitely has added weight, made a really nice move to get open over the middle and leave his defender in the dust. On one rep, Ayden Garnes completely erased any attempt at a throw when targeting TJ Johnson. Rodney Gallagher even got a rep at defensive back which I believe he won. Traylon Ray looked very smooth out there and made some nice grabs. He also noticeable brought the energy for the wide receiver room a lot today. They were doing one drill where they basically threw up the football like a tip off in basketball and players had to grab the ball and the receivers seemed to be having a lot of fun with that.
--Jahiem White is still fast and CJ Donaldson moved well today despite not seeing any contact.
--West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene made some really nice plays with his arm and his leg. He put a perfectly placed ball into Hudson Clement for a touchdown at the end and also had a really nice throw for a chunk of yards to Rodney Gallagher. There were a few drops overall today and some bad placed balls at times between the quarterbacks but solid day there.
--One thing that has been very noticeable is that Nicco Marchiol is processing things better and really seems to have more confidence than he had at any point last year. He made some nice throws including a great toss and catch to Jaden Bray in the end zone during the last period. If he continues to progress, the Mountaineers should feel comfortable with him in the game. Marchiol also had a nice run in practice where he made the right decision which received some encouragement from the coaches.
--It's the middle of spring and of course there are some minor injuries with guys sporting green and working both in some drills and with Mike Joseph at other times. One encouraging thing is that offensive lineman Tomas Rimac was working with his unit in some drills and had been on the sidelines working the first few practices.
--Again depending on the drills players rotated in and out of units but the first look on defense I got was DL: Sean Martin, Fatorma Mulbah, Eddie Vesterinen. LB: Caden Biser, Josiah Trotter, Tyrin Bradley and DB: Aubrey Burks, Anthony Wilson, Jaheem Joseph, Garnett Hollis and Ayden Garnes. Again, it's important to note that all the positions rotated with Hammond Russell, Corey McIntyre rotating at DL, Ben Cutter, Tray Lathan and Reid Carrico working in at LB and various pieces coming in and out of the secondary.
A second team unit was Corey McIntyre, Hammond Russell and Taurus Simmons up front, Ben Cutter, Reid Carrico, Brayden Dudley at LB and Raleigh Collins, Aden Nelson, Israel Boyce Jordan Jackson and Deuce Shabazz at defensive back. TJ Crandall looked to be off the field working with a hamstring injury. Also saw Ty French and others working in with the first/second units.
--The first unit on offense was Garrett Greene under center, Jahiem White in the backfield and EJ Horton, Rodney Gallagher, Traylon Ray and Treylan Davis at the skill spots, while the offensive line was Wyatt Milum, Sully Weidman, Landen Livingston, Ja'Quay Hubbard and Nick Malone serving as the first team offensive line. With the first team unit, Brandon Yates was not participating today and while he was on the field he did not have pads and was walking around observing and encouraging. Like with the defense, the players rotated in and out with others.
--A second team offensive line unit that repped at times was Johnny Williams, Mo Hamilton, Cooper Young, Nick Krahe, Xavier Bausley.
--West Virginia worked on special teams drills including punt return where Preston Fox had a really nice return up the sideline. He has definitely added some weight and looks faster but what stands out about him in that role is how fearless he is when it comes to catching the ball in traffic. He was joined back there in the return line by Rodney Gallagher and Tyler Evans.
--Offensive line coach Matt Moore was really getting after his guys during positional work and kept them focused. He said several times, "don't get bored with details," when explaining what he wanted out of them in the various sets.
--Watching the defensive line it was very apparent the difference in watching a pair of seniors and a fair of true freshmen doing drills. It was almost second nature to the seniors as they breezed through what AJ Jackson was asking out of them but the freshmen had to do several takes. Hammond Russell has always stood out due to his size, but seems to be playing at a higher level this spring and is really engaged.
--Josiah Trotter stands out physically in that linebacker room. He is big and moves well. It will be interesting to see just what kind of role he can carve out. The linebacker room as a whole looks as good as it has in quite some time with both depth and size/athleticism.
--Jeff Koonz teased some of his players when they were returning fumbles that he was going to put their face on social media as he's been doing with standout players. One quote he had when he was trying to get his point across as players were stripping the ball out, recovering it and returning it was "we are practicing winning," he said.
--Wide receivers and defensive backs had some really good one-on-ones on the left end of the field. Preston Fox was able to get behind Garnett Hollis for a deep touchdown where he made an impressive catch. EJ Horton, who definitely has added weight, made a really nice move to get open over the middle and leave his defender in the dust. On one rep, Ayden Garnes completely erased any attempt at a throw when targeting TJ Johnson. Rodney Gallagher even got a rep at defensive back which I believe he won. Traylon Ray looked very smooth out there and made some nice grabs. He also noticeable brought the energy for the wide receiver room a lot today. They were doing one drill where they basically threw up the football like a tip off in basketball and players had to grab the ball and the receivers seemed to be having a lot of fun with that.
--Jahiem White is still fast and CJ Donaldson moved well today despite not seeing any contact.
--West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene made some really nice plays with his arm and his leg. He put a perfectly placed ball into Hudson Clement for a touchdown at the end and also had a really nice throw for a chunk of yards to Rodney Gallagher. There were a few drops overall today and some bad placed balls at times between the quarterbacks but solid day there.
--One thing that has been very noticeable is that Nicco Marchiol is processing things better and really seems to have more confidence than he had at any point last year. He made some nice throws including a great toss and catch to Jaden Bray in the end zone during the last period. If he continues to progress, the Mountaineers should feel comfortable with him in the game. Marchiol also had a nice run in practice where he made the right decision which received some encouragement from the coaches.
--It's the middle of spring and of course there are some minor injuries with guys sporting green and working both in some drills and with Mike Joseph at other times. One encouraging thing is that offensive lineman Tomas Rimac was working with his unit in some drills and had been on the sidelines working the first few practices.
