--West Virginia offensive coordinator Gerad Parker said that they just got finished up with their third practice and the guys had a really good off-season. They knew improvement had to be made in the wide receiver room and they are becoming veteran guys. Kaden Prather is learning how to practice and be a college guy. He’s made some plays early which always helps, but of course it will be a learning curve with the offense. Devell Washington is undergoing his first real spring but he is a strong kid that has really changed his body. They look different as a group but they need to get lost in the work. He really believes they are doing that better right now but they have to sustain it.
--The offensive line has to keep progressing through teaching. As you add new faces and veteran faces that took a bunch of reps last season. Doug Nester showing up helps the room and now those other guys understand what to expect in a Big 12 game. Zach Frazier has moved to center and has taken a bunch of reps so he knows what to expect.
--Coach Neal Brown has put an emphasis on the coaches teaching and putting guys in different spots to have the best success they can. Any way you can get a guy to retain information is crucial. So you have to hit all different types of learning to hit all the spots.
--Garrett Greene and Jarret Doege have been great in preparing and are going to push each other. Greene has had some special throws and some misreads, but he is great energy and juice. There are things he does differently and he’s coming along.
--A huge emphasis on two-point plays because of the overtime rule changes. They worked on red zone today and what to do when the field shrinks. Some of their run game is really growing so they put in some different schemes there. Outside at receiver they did a good job pushing off the football and made some plays down the field there. You could tell there was good energy today because they put the shoulder pads on today.
--Turnover margin is the answer to it all and they’ve stressed it daily. They’ve done a good job taking care of the football in practice so far and if they win turnover margin the odds of winning go up.
--Have to develop more options in the backfield when it comes to rushing the ball. Tony Mathis and A’Varius Sparrow are here now and they’ll get young guys in the summer.
--Defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said this is the real day one today. When you put pads on mentality changes so you are willing to find out who is willing to be as physical. Now, with the install you’re adding more pieces. They are going to expand on the install and really more situational than anything right now. They wanted to see how guys reacted to that.
--They’re trying to play with two defensive tackles instead of a true nose guard. It only helps those guys, especially down the road.
--You’re hoping that the adjustment with the new coaches doesn’t take long. The quicker they are able to do the easier the transition is. It was about finding the right fits. AJ Jackson and ShaDon Brown have both fit in well.
--Two guys had to step up. Jackie Matthews and Daryl Porter have made tremendous strides. They are making competitive plays on the ball in certain drills but they’ve both had great off-seasons. Now that they’ve had the full off-season leading into spring ball it means the world.
--Akheem Mesidor is playing at both defensive tackles inside. He doesn’t look a little different but he is carrying extra weight. He has got to step up and the same with some of the other defensive linemen. Mesidor loves football but he doesn’t count reps. He just loves going out there and competing. If you look at his body type, his future is definitely at defensive tackle.
--Sean Martin has to learn how to control his body. Different things will come with time in the weight room and he has to learn how to play big with that body type. Versatility and athleticism is a premium but so is length. He has to learn how to play at that size and he will. He’s come along great and will be a contributor this fall.
--Lesley said they need at least one more linebacker, one secondary guy and is possibly looking for another defensive lineman depending on how it develops.
--The offensive line has to keep progressing through teaching. As you add new faces and veteran faces that took a bunch of reps last season. Doug Nester showing up helps the room and now those other guys understand what to expect in a Big 12 game. Zach Frazier has moved to center and has taken a bunch of reps so he knows what to expect.
--Coach Neal Brown has put an emphasis on the coaches teaching and putting guys in different spots to have the best success they can. Any way you can get a guy to retain information is crucial. So you have to hit all different types of learning to hit all the spots.
--Garrett Greene and Jarret Doege have been great in preparing and are going to push each other. Greene has had some special throws and some misreads, but he is great energy and juice. There are things he does differently and he’s coming along.
--A huge emphasis on two-point plays because of the overtime rule changes. They worked on red zone today and what to do when the field shrinks. Some of their run game is really growing so they put in some different schemes there. Outside at receiver they did a good job pushing off the football and made some plays down the field there. You could tell there was good energy today because they put the shoulder pads on today.
--Turnover margin is the answer to it all and they’ve stressed it daily. They’ve done a good job taking care of the football in practice so far and if they win turnover margin the odds of winning go up.
--Have to develop more options in the backfield when it comes to rushing the ball. Tony Mathis and A’Varius Sparrow are here now and they’ll get young guys in the summer.
--Defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said this is the real day one today. When you put pads on mentality changes so you are willing to find out who is willing to be as physical. Now, with the install you’re adding more pieces. They are going to expand on the install and really more situational than anything right now. They wanted to see how guys reacted to that.
--They’re trying to play with two defensive tackles instead of a true nose guard. It only helps those guys, especially down the road.
--You’re hoping that the adjustment with the new coaches doesn’t take long. The quicker they are able to do the easier the transition is. It was about finding the right fits. AJ Jackson and ShaDon Brown have both fit in well.
--Two guys had to step up. Jackie Matthews and Daryl Porter have made tremendous strides. They are making competitive plays on the ball in certain drills but they’ve both had great off-seasons. Now that they’ve had the full off-season leading into spring ball it means the world.
--Akheem Mesidor is playing at both defensive tackles inside. He doesn’t look a little different but he is carrying extra weight. He has got to step up and the same with some of the other defensive linemen. Mesidor loves football but he doesn’t count reps. He just loves going out there and competing. If you look at his body type, his future is definitely at defensive tackle.
--Sean Martin has to learn how to control his body. Different things will come with time in the weight room and he has to learn how to play big with that body type. Versatility and athleticism is a premium but so is length. He has to learn how to play at that size and he will. He’s come along great and will be a contributor this fall.
--Lesley said they need at least one more linebacker, one secondary guy and is possibly looking for another defensive lineman depending on how it develops.