--West Virginia head coach Neal Brown said that he was proud of represent the university and the state and is excited to be a part of the new Big 12. Introduced the four players that he brought with him in QB Garrett Greene, OL Wyatt Milum, DL Sean Martin and S Aubrey Burks.
--Offensively they return one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country in Garrett Greene, return a veteran offensive line, a tight end that led them in receptions, a dynamic one-two punch at running back and a receiver group that's going to make a jump. Have a defensive line that returns a lot of production, a young but talented linebacker group and they addressed the secondary in the portal. West Virginia returns all of their specialists.
--West Virginia has a challenging schedule and he's looking forward to the Penn State contest to open the season.
--From a program perspective Brown felt the character piece happens through recruiting and there are systems in place to make sure you're bringing in the right individual. The identity piece is what they spent a lot of time on the past 19-months and have really bought into being a tough team that plays smart football.
--Jaden Bray scored a touchdown against West Virginia last year and was really talented. He was slowed by injury last year but is a tremendous human being that is long, can jump and can run. He is excited to coach him and he believes he has two quality high production years ahead of him.
--West Virginia rallied behind being picked 14th last year. The team proved him right because he knew what they had on both fronts. You have to be talented in skill positions, but you have to win in the trenches. They rallied around that and now it's similar they're coming off a 9-4 season and he looks at most of the preseason stuff and they're not in it. They were the number one power four rushing team in the country last year and they are picked seventh. Brown feels that players such as Garrett Greene and Wyatt Milum are being undervalued, too.
--Brown has a great amount of respect for FCS football so what Albany has done with their program has been tremendous. They were a national semifinalist last year. Brown looks at how they will get ready each week.
--The Penn State game is huge for West Virginia. It's a regional rivalry that hasn't gone in the Mountaineers favor very often. It's the FOX Big Noon kickoff, the fans will be ready and he thinks they will show well on national television. It's also a big game for the Big 12 to show what kind of football they play in this league on a marquee stage. The brand will continue to grow if they get those type of wins and then teams have to make noise in the playoff.
--Brown said offensive football is about getting the best players the football in any way possible. Jahiem White finished the year strong but is ready to take the next step and be a premier player. CJ Donaldson is a big power running back and he thinks he is going to go back and show what he showed as a freshman and Garrett Greene is also an elite runner. There will be enough touches to go around, but they have to figure out how to get their best players the ball and enough space where they can make something happen.
--NIL you have to think big picture. From a head coaching perspective it's money in and money out. They're asked with a lot of the money coming in and he's grown in that role and how to be productive doing it. You have to find out who wants to help in what areas and which people to go to on certain things.
--Offensively they return one of the most dynamic playmakers in the country in Garrett Greene, return a veteran offensive line, a tight end that led them in receptions, a dynamic one-two punch at running back and a receiver group that's going to make a jump. Have a defensive line that returns a lot of production, a young but talented linebacker group and they addressed the secondary in the portal. West Virginia returns all of their specialists.
--West Virginia has a challenging schedule and he's looking forward to the Penn State contest to open the season.
--From a program perspective Brown felt the character piece happens through recruiting and there are systems in place to make sure you're bringing in the right individual. The identity piece is what they spent a lot of time on the past 19-months and have really bought into being a tough team that plays smart football.
--Jaden Bray scored a touchdown against West Virginia last year and was really talented. He was slowed by injury last year but is a tremendous human being that is long, can jump and can run. He is excited to coach him and he believes he has two quality high production years ahead of him.
--West Virginia rallied behind being picked 14th last year. The team proved him right because he knew what they had on both fronts. You have to be talented in skill positions, but you have to win in the trenches. They rallied around that and now it's similar they're coming off a 9-4 season and he looks at most of the preseason stuff and they're not in it. They were the number one power four rushing team in the country last year and they are picked seventh. Brown feels that players such as Garrett Greene and Wyatt Milum are being undervalued, too.
--Brown has a great amount of respect for FCS football so what Albany has done with their program has been tremendous. They were a national semifinalist last year. Brown looks at how they will get ready each week.
--The Penn State game is huge for West Virginia. It's a regional rivalry that hasn't gone in the Mountaineers favor very often. It's the FOX Big Noon kickoff, the fans will be ready and he thinks they will show well on national television. It's also a big game for the Big 12 to show what kind of football they play in this league on a marquee stage. The brand will continue to grow if they get those type of wins and then teams have to make noise in the playoff.
--Brown said offensive football is about getting the best players the football in any way possible. Jahiem White finished the year strong but is ready to take the next step and be a premier player. CJ Donaldson is a big power running back and he thinks he is going to go back and show what he showed as a freshman and Garrett Greene is also an elite runner. There will be enough touches to go around, but they have to figure out how to get their best players the ball and enough space where they can make something happen.
--NIL you have to think big picture. From a head coaching perspective it's money in and money out. They're asked with a lot of the money coming in and he's grown in that role and how to be productive doing it. You have to find out who wants to help in what areas and which people to go to on certain things.
