MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 4, 2017) - Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, at the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Kyle Bosch
On if he could play center today or if he needs more time to learn the center position
If you were to ask me two days ago I would say probably a month, but after today my snaps are much more under control. Mike (linebacker) points were all very good. I would prefer to play guard, but if it is an emergency, if that is where they need me to play, that is where I’ll play.
On if he feels comfortable making checks at the center position
Yeah, last year, me, Tyler (Orlosky) and everybody, we all were very fluid in the ways that we called defenses out and we were very attentive to that sort of situation. There is really no difference in that compared to last year. Being a senior, you have to have a little more responsibility anyways and being a center you are just a little more vocal.
On how he communicates what he sees on the line with Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
Every now and then I will go to him, but mostly he is a very intelligent coach. He is very pro-player. If there is a problem or if there is an issue and it correlates with the offensive line he will come to me, he will come to (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) Colton (McKivitz), anybody that has got some experience and ask him what is going on and what we need to do to check out of things to make things a little smoother.
Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman Yodny Cajuste
On how he’s been progressing
I feel good. I’ve progressed very well. Our coaches do a good job with helping us.
On the offensive line coming together
As an offensive line, you want everything to be perfect. But it’s not always going to be like that. I just have to stay in the film room and keep working during practice.
On what he has to keep working on
Everything. You can never be perfect. A day can never be too bad and can never be too good. There’s always something to work on, whether it’s run block or pass block, getting my calls right, (identifying), everything.
On how redshirt sophomore Colton McKivitz stepped up last season
Colton was rushed onto the spot, but he showed everybody. He proved everybody wrong, all the doubters. He played exceptionally well and that helped him out a lot. It also helped me out a lot just from watching him. We talk to each other and we try to make each other better every day.
Sophomore Running Back Kennedy McKoy
On what it is like trying to play two positions
I do want to have a hybrid position and that role for our team. Play a little bit of running back, play a little bit of slot. Just trying to get on the field and help my team out in any way.
On working with freshman running back Tevin Bush
It works well. We both complement each other. He does some things that I don’t do really well and I do some things a little bit better than him. We complement each other well. We are always pushing each other; always in the film room trying to learn and get better with our routes.
On the versatility at the running back position
Yeah, there are a lot of us and we are all looking to help the team. Whichever number coach calls out, we are all rooting for each other.
Redshirt Senior Tight End/Fullback Elijah Wellman
On if he sees himself taking more of a leadership role
Yeah. This is my fifth-year, I think my work speaks for itself. I have worked my tail off ever since I have been here. I am an older guy and I look at myself as a leader. I am absolutely going to keep everybody motivated and keep those younger guys going through their first or second camp and keep the offense going.
On if his position has changed under Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
No. Fullback is fullback, really. A few things here and there, but it is nothing big. Nothing I haven’t done before.
On if his leadership style is more of an encouragement style or a lead by example style
A little bit of both. Everybody needs encouragement to get through the day. I think I bring that to our offense and our team. Also, leading by example. You get in there and do things right and those younger guys see an older guy doing stuff like that, doing all the right things and regardless they are going to start doing the right things.
Senior Linebacker Xavier Preston
On this being his last camp
At this point, it is a little bittersweet knowing that this is my last one, but I am enjoying every day. Just coming in and trying to get better for myself and the team every day.
On if the outside linebacker position is different from inside linebacker
The situations that I see, the things that I see, are a little different. It’s all the same defense, we all play the same (game of) football. Just find your way to the ball that is it.
On if he has worked with special teams
Yeah, I’m going to get in there wherever I can, wherever they want me. I usually play a lot of special teams. Whatever I can do to help the team.
Redshirt Junior Safety Toyous Avery
On how he’s doing in camp
I feel like I’m doing really well. I’m learning a lot more, learning what everyone else is doing on the field. That makes everything a lot easier for me.
On redshirt junior safety Dravon Askew-Henry
Dravon is always good, no matter what. Dravon helped me out a lot and I help him out a lot. I just feel good knowing he’s behind me. He knows a lot and I’m learning a lot more, so we’re just getting on the same page.
On the rest of the team’s safeties
I love playing with (senior safety) Kyzir (White). Nobody is getting past Kyzir. You know that (redshirt junior safety) Dravon (Askew-Henry) is behind you, so nobody is going to bomb on us because Dravon is back there. I just feel confident knowing they are on the field with me. Plus, the backups, the two’s, they’re good. I feel comfortable when they’re on the field. They can rotate in and out.
On getting playing time last season
You just have to step up. It was hard at first learning the plays, but that just makes things easier now. I’m ahead now. Because of last year, I know what I’m doing.
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Lineman Adam Shuler II
On the first few days of full-contact in camp
We’re progressing pretty well. Everybody is learning to deal with the pain, learning to deal with helping each other out and keeping each other safe. I think we’re on a pretty good rate of progress.
On building the defensive line
The approach to building a line where we’re going to have a ton of players start is to just to make sure everybody is trusting each other, everybody trusts the process and everybody can depend on each other. If I go down, then we have two or three more that can come in right after me. So, it’s just trusting each other that we can all do our jobs.
On the biggest improvement he’s seen during camp so far
As a defensive line, the biggest jump we’ve made is learning how to stay in our gaps and do our assignments. We’re doing a pretty good job of doing that.
On how he gets better
Practice. That’s how everybody gets better. I get better at practice, listening to advice from coaches and some other guys that did it and been here.
Senior Cornerback Elijah Battle
On what he sees out of the safeties
I’m seeing everything from them. They’re all good; they can cover, tackle. They can do it all.
On if cornerbacks have been competitive with each other during camp
Yeah, definitely. We have a lot of depth at corner.
On where he’s been working during camp
I’m on the right side. I do both, but I’m mainly on the right side.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Kyle Bosch
On if he could play center today or if he needs more time to learn the center position
If you were to ask me two days ago I would say probably a month, but after today my snaps are much more under control. Mike (linebacker) points were all very good. I would prefer to play guard, but if it is an emergency, if that is where they need me to play, that is where I’ll play.
On if he feels comfortable making checks at the center position
Yeah, last year, me, Tyler (Orlosky) and everybody, we all were very fluid in the ways that we called defenses out and we were very attentive to that sort of situation. There is really no difference in that compared to last year. Being a senior, you have to have a little more responsibility anyways and being a center you are just a little more vocal.
On how he communicates what he sees on the line with Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
Every now and then I will go to him, but mostly he is a very intelligent coach. He is very pro-player. If there is a problem or if there is an issue and it correlates with the offensive line he will come to me, he will come to (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) Colton (McKivitz), anybody that has got some experience and ask him what is going on and what we need to do to check out of things to make things a little smoother.
Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman Yodny Cajuste
On how he’s been progressing
I feel good. I’ve progressed very well. Our coaches do a good job with helping us.
On the offensive line coming together
As an offensive line, you want everything to be perfect. But it’s not always going to be like that. I just have to stay in the film room and keep working during practice.
On what he has to keep working on
Everything. You can never be perfect. A day can never be too bad and can never be too good. There’s always something to work on, whether it’s run block or pass block, getting my calls right, (identifying), everything.
On how redshirt sophomore Colton McKivitz stepped up last season
Colton was rushed onto the spot, but he showed everybody. He proved everybody wrong, all the doubters. He played exceptionally well and that helped him out a lot. It also helped me out a lot just from watching him. We talk to each other and we try to make each other better every day.
Sophomore Running Back Kennedy McKoy
On what it is like trying to play two positions
I do want to have a hybrid position and that role for our team. Play a little bit of running back, play a little bit of slot. Just trying to get on the field and help my team out in any way.
On working with freshman running back Tevin Bush
It works well. We both complement each other. He does some things that I don’t do really well and I do some things a little bit better than him. We complement each other well. We are always pushing each other; always in the film room trying to learn and get better with our routes.
On the versatility at the running back position
Yeah, there are a lot of us and we are all looking to help the team. Whichever number coach calls out, we are all rooting for each other.
Redshirt Senior Tight End/Fullback Elijah Wellman
On if he sees himself taking more of a leadership role
Yeah. This is my fifth-year, I think my work speaks for itself. I have worked my tail off ever since I have been here. I am an older guy and I look at myself as a leader. I am absolutely going to keep everybody motivated and keep those younger guys going through their first or second camp and keep the offense going.
On if his position has changed under Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
No. Fullback is fullback, really. A few things here and there, but it is nothing big. Nothing I haven’t done before.
On if his leadership style is more of an encouragement style or a lead by example style
A little bit of both. Everybody needs encouragement to get through the day. I think I bring that to our offense and our team. Also, leading by example. You get in there and do things right and those younger guys see an older guy doing stuff like that, doing all the right things and regardless they are going to start doing the right things.
Senior Linebacker Xavier Preston
On this being his last camp
At this point, it is a little bittersweet knowing that this is my last one, but I am enjoying every day. Just coming in and trying to get better for myself and the team every day.
On if the outside linebacker position is different from inside linebacker
The situations that I see, the things that I see, are a little different. It’s all the same defense, we all play the same (game of) football. Just find your way to the ball that is it.
On if he has worked with special teams
Yeah, I’m going to get in there wherever I can, wherever they want me. I usually play a lot of special teams. Whatever I can do to help the team.
Redshirt Junior Safety Toyous Avery
On how he’s doing in camp
I feel like I’m doing really well. I’m learning a lot more, learning what everyone else is doing on the field. That makes everything a lot easier for me.
On redshirt junior safety Dravon Askew-Henry
Dravon is always good, no matter what. Dravon helped me out a lot and I help him out a lot. I just feel good knowing he’s behind me. He knows a lot and I’m learning a lot more, so we’re just getting on the same page.
On the rest of the team’s safeties
I love playing with (senior safety) Kyzir (White). Nobody is getting past Kyzir. You know that (redshirt junior safety) Dravon (Askew-Henry) is behind you, so nobody is going to bomb on us because Dravon is back there. I just feel confident knowing they are on the field with me. Plus, the backups, the two’s, they’re good. I feel comfortable when they’re on the field. They can rotate in and out.
On getting playing time last season
You just have to step up. It was hard at first learning the plays, but that just makes things easier now. I’m ahead now. Because of last year, I know what I’m doing.
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Lineman Adam Shuler II
On the first few days of full-contact in camp
We’re progressing pretty well. Everybody is learning to deal with the pain, learning to deal with helping each other out and keeping each other safe. I think we’re on a pretty good rate of progress.
On building the defensive line
The approach to building a line where we’re going to have a ton of players start is to just to make sure everybody is trusting each other, everybody trusts the process and everybody can depend on each other. If I go down, then we have two or three more that can come in right after me. So, it’s just trusting each other that we can all do our jobs.
On the biggest improvement he’s seen during camp so far
As a defensive line, the biggest jump we’ve made is learning how to stay in our gaps and do our assignments. We’re doing a pretty good job of doing that.
On how he gets better
Practice. That’s how everybody gets better. I get better at practice, listening to advice from coaches and some other guys that did it and been here.
Senior Cornerback Elijah Battle
On what he sees out of the safeties
I’m seeing everything from them. They’re all good; they can cover, tackle. They can do it all.
On if cornerbacks have been competitive with each other during camp
Yeah, definitely. We have a lot of depth at corner.
On where he’s been working during camp
I’m on the right side. I do both, but I’m mainly on the right side.