MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 6, 2018) – Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2018, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Redshirt senior offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste
On noticing the improved maturity of the team
Definitely. I feel like we have a lot of senior leaders on this team who have played a lot of football. Those guys have a lot of experience.
On his responsibility of being a leader
You always want to set a good example, because those young guys are looking up at us – the leaders. You always want to make sure that you’re showing them how to do things the right way.
On how the team improved chemistry in the locker room
We just tried to be leaders and tried to change the culture around here. As seniors, this is our team now. A lot of the seniors just tried to change that culture and make things how we wanted them to be around here. It’s going well so far. We’re just leading by example. I feel like our seniors have all been really good leaders. We all lead by example because we want everyone to work hard by the end of the day. When you have guys who work hard like that, then the young guys look up to that example, and they want to work hard in the future, too.
Redshirt senior quarterback Will Grier
On what he is seeing from the running backs
I love where that group is at; they’re running the ball hard. Yesterday was our first day in pads, and I was really pleased with their burst up the field – staying north and south. It’s a really good group; I like where they’re at. There’s a couple new guys; they’re all different. (Freshman running back) Leddie (Brown) might be the biggest; he’s huge. By the time he develops in the weight room, he’s going to be really big. They all bring something different to the table. I really like where they’re at. As a group, they’ve worked well with each other. We’re going to be able to rotate those guys and do a good job.
On how a consistent run game affects the passing game
I don’t think it’s a problem at all. I think we’re always trying to improve, and, like I said, I really like our group of running backs. I think we’re doing a good job up front with the run game. We’re looking forward to improving in all aspects, but I think we’ve already made huge strides in that area.
On who is catching his eye at wide receiver
We’ve got different guys. (Freshman wide receiver) Bryce Wheaton is a tall, long guy. (Freshman wide receiver) Sam James is a really fast, twitchy guy. I think they are all going to be able to play for us. It’s just a matter of developing them, and how quickly we can plug them in, and seeing how much they can retain and learn from these older guys. It’s a long camp, and we have to see who can develop the best and who’s going to be able to give us quality time when it matters.
On incorporating tight ends into the offense
I think we’re at a point now where that’s a very impressive room. We’re going to find ways to get them on the field. Those guys do a good job in the run game and also in the passing game. We’re going to be able to do some more things with them this year, but that’s a good room.
Senior wide receiver David Sills V
On expectations going into the season
Obviously, we have high expectations this year. We’re an older team with a lot of experience coming back, on both ends of the ball. So, we have high expectations, and we’re doing a really good job working together as a team and getting better at practice. We’ve only had three days of practice, today being the fourth. So, we feel good that we’re competing and getting better on both ends of the ball.
On comparing this year to last year
We obviously know that we have a lot of experience coming back this year. A lot of people played a lot of significant roles for us last year. Everyone’s really a year better. So, that’s something we can definitely build off of. We’re going in with a mindset that, at the end of the day, we just want to win, figure out how to do it week in and week out and, at the end of the day, we want to win.
On his personal decision to come back
I think the potential and the goals we can achieve as a team. That was one thing that I really wanted to do. I think it's more than just me, (redshirt senior quarterback) Will (Grier), (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Yodny (Cajuste), (redshirt senior tight end) Trevon (Wesco), (senior wide receiver) Gary (Jennings Jr.) and all those guys that decided to come back for their senior year, we got together and talked about it and the potential of the team that we had, and we knew we had a good chance to do something special at West Virginia, and that’s what we’re trying to do this year.
Redshirt junior cornerback Hakeem Bailey
On preseason pressure
We take it as a challenge. Everybody’s competing every day for the starter role.
On needing to improve mental or physically
It’s mental confidence, stuff like that. I’ve been working hard, and I’m looking forward to this season.
On moving on after something goes wrong
You need to have a short memory if you play corner, so Coach (associate head coach - defensive coordinator/linebackers) (Tony) Gibson and I talk about it all the time. I always go back and look at my mistakes and learn from them.
Junior defensive lineman Reese Donahue
On the newcomers along the defensive line
For the first time in a while, it’s nice to have such depth. That’s an awesome thing to have. One thing that really sticks out to me is that I feel like we’ve developed more sense of a team than ever before. This is the closest I’ve ever felt with the team, ever. And it’s not just on the (defensive) line but consistently throughout the whole defense. I feel so connected with these guys, and we’re just clicking.
On the team’s sense of maturity
If you look at it, look at how many guys we have that are older. Even the guys that aren’t of older age, I mean (sophomore defensive lineman) Darius Stills played a lot of snaps last year, and he’s filling in a nose role right now. So, if you look across the board, we have a lot of experience.
On how he has progressed since last season
I definitely feel a lot better this season. I’m weighing a lot more now, I’m seeing some things a lot better now. All offseason we had the opportunity to work, and I feel like I’m in a better place.
Redshirt junior linebacker David Long Jr.
On his early impressions of the linebackers
We’re looking good. We still have a lot of stuff to learn from day one, the first day of pads was yesterday. But we’re looking good, getting after it and making some plays. There are some early mistakes, as usual, but we’ll get there.
On entering camp fully healthy
It’s very exciting. It’s just keeping me focused, and also keeping me on top of my recovery and stuff, so I can keep being healthy.
On if the defense can be one of the team’s strengths this season
Definitely. We know what the offense can do; the offense is going to score points. We just have to be up there with them and stop people from scoring points.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Evan Staley
On being put on scholarship
Coming from in-state West Virginia, growing up in the state of West Virginia, watching football since the time you’re a little boy – that’s what you dream about. So, when Coach (Head Coach Dana Holgorsen) called me into the office and told me I would be on scholarship, it was a dream come true.
On being called athletic by coaches
I played soccer and track my freshman year, and I gave that up to focus on kicking, and then I played basketball, too. I enjoy a lot of sports.
On if playing other sports helped him with football
I think it helps a lot. One sport that I really like but I didn’t really play was golf. I played it in my off time. I didn’t play it at school, but a lot of it that people don’t know transfers over into kicking. I enjoy all sports because I feel like it helps me in my game.
On working to get to where he is
I just kept my eyes open, and I was hopeful that something could happen. My first couple years, I watched and learned from the older guys. (Redshirt senior punter) Billy Kinney, Mike Molina from last year were leaders to me and showed me the ropes. Getting the opportunity to play, they prepared me for that.
Redshirt senior offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste
On noticing the improved maturity of the team
Definitely. I feel like we have a lot of senior leaders on this team who have played a lot of football. Those guys have a lot of experience.
On his responsibility of being a leader
You always want to set a good example, because those young guys are looking up at us – the leaders. You always want to make sure that you’re showing them how to do things the right way.
On how the team improved chemistry in the locker room
We just tried to be leaders and tried to change the culture around here. As seniors, this is our team now. A lot of the seniors just tried to change that culture and make things how we wanted them to be around here. It’s going well so far. We’re just leading by example. I feel like our seniors have all been really good leaders. We all lead by example because we want everyone to work hard by the end of the day. When you have guys who work hard like that, then the young guys look up to that example, and they want to work hard in the future, too.
Redshirt senior quarterback Will Grier
On what he is seeing from the running backs
I love where that group is at; they’re running the ball hard. Yesterday was our first day in pads, and I was really pleased with their burst up the field – staying north and south. It’s a really good group; I like where they’re at. There’s a couple new guys; they’re all different. (Freshman running back) Leddie (Brown) might be the biggest; he’s huge. By the time he develops in the weight room, he’s going to be really big. They all bring something different to the table. I really like where they’re at. As a group, they’ve worked well with each other. We’re going to be able to rotate those guys and do a good job.
On how a consistent run game affects the passing game
I don’t think it’s a problem at all. I think we’re always trying to improve, and, like I said, I really like our group of running backs. I think we’re doing a good job up front with the run game. We’re looking forward to improving in all aspects, but I think we’ve already made huge strides in that area.
On who is catching his eye at wide receiver
We’ve got different guys. (Freshman wide receiver) Bryce Wheaton is a tall, long guy. (Freshman wide receiver) Sam James is a really fast, twitchy guy. I think they are all going to be able to play for us. It’s just a matter of developing them, and how quickly we can plug them in, and seeing how much they can retain and learn from these older guys. It’s a long camp, and we have to see who can develop the best and who’s going to be able to give us quality time when it matters.
On incorporating tight ends into the offense
I think we’re at a point now where that’s a very impressive room. We’re going to find ways to get them on the field. Those guys do a good job in the run game and also in the passing game. We’re going to be able to do some more things with them this year, but that’s a good room.
Senior wide receiver David Sills V
On expectations going into the season
Obviously, we have high expectations this year. We’re an older team with a lot of experience coming back, on both ends of the ball. So, we have high expectations, and we’re doing a really good job working together as a team and getting better at practice. We’ve only had three days of practice, today being the fourth. So, we feel good that we’re competing and getting better on both ends of the ball.
On comparing this year to last year
We obviously know that we have a lot of experience coming back this year. A lot of people played a lot of significant roles for us last year. Everyone’s really a year better. So, that’s something we can definitely build off of. We’re going in with a mindset that, at the end of the day, we just want to win, figure out how to do it week in and week out and, at the end of the day, we want to win.
On his personal decision to come back
I think the potential and the goals we can achieve as a team. That was one thing that I really wanted to do. I think it's more than just me, (redshirt senior quarterback) Will (Grier), (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Yodny (Cajuste), (redshirt senior tight end) Trevon (Wesco), (senior wide receiver) Gary (Jennings Jr.) and all those guys that decided to come back for their senior year, we got together and talked about it and the potential of the team that we had, and we knew we had a good chance to do something special at West Virginia, and that’s what we’re trying to do this year.
Redshirt junior cornerback Hakeem Bailey
On preseason pressure
We take it as a challenge. Everybody’s competing every day for the starter role.
On needing to improve mental or physically
It’s mental confidence, stuff like that. I’ve been working hard, and I’m looking forward to this season.
On moving on after something goes wrong
You need to have a short memory if you play corner, so Coach (associate head coach - defensive coordinator/linebackers) (Tony) Gibson and I talk about it all the time. I always go back and look at my mistakes and learn from them.
Junior defensive lineman Reese Donahue
On the newcomers along the defensive line
For the first time in a while, it’s nice to have such depth. That’s an awesome thing to have. One thing that really sticks out to me is that I feel like we’ve developed more sense of a team than ever before. This is the closest I’ve ever felt with the team, ever. And it’s not just on the (defensive) line but consistently throughout the whole defense. I feel so connected with these guys, and we’re just clicking.
On the team’s sense of maturity
If you look at it, look at how many guys we have that are older. Even the guys that aren’t of older age, I mean (sophomore defensive lineman) Darius Stills played a lot of snaps last year, and he’s filling in a nose role right now. So, if you look across the board, we have a lot of experience.
On how he has progressed since last season
I definitely feel a lot better this season. I’m weighing a lot more now, I’m seeing some things a lot better now. All offseason we had the opportunity to work, and I feel like I’m in a better place.
Redshirt junior linebacker David Long Jr.
On his early impressions of the linebackers
We’re looking good. We still have a lot of stuff to learn from day one, the first day of pads was yesterday. But we’re looking good, getting after it and making some plays. There are some early mistakes, as usual, but we’ll get there.
On entering camp fully healthy
It’s very exciting. It’s just keeping me focused, and also keeping me on top of my recovery and stuff, so I can keep being healthy.
On if the defense can be one of the team’s strengths this season
Definitely. We know what the offense can do; the offense is going to score points. We just have to be up there with them and stop people from scoring points.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Evan Staley
On being put on scholarship
Coming from in-state West Virginia, growing up in the state of West Virginia, watching football since the time you’re a little boy – that’s what you dream about. So, when Coach (Head Coach Dana Holgorsen) called me into the office and told me I would be on scholarship, it was a dream come true.
On being called athletic by coaches
I played soccer and track my freshman year, and I gave that up to focus on kicking, and then I played basketball, too. I enjoy a lot of sports.
On if playing other sports helped him with football
I think it helps a lot. One sport that I really like but I didn’t really play was golf. I played it in my off time. I didn’t play it at school, but a lot of it that people don’t know transfers over into kicking. I enjoy all sports because I feel like it helps me in my game.
On working to get to where he is
I just kept my eyes open, and I was hopeful that something could happen. My first couple years, I watched and learned from the older guys. (Redshirt senior punter) Billy Kinney, Mike Molina from last year were leaders to me and showed me the ropes. Getting the opportunity to play, they prepared me for that.