Larry Porter sorting through options in RB room
West Virginia running backs coach Larry Porter has inherited a position room that, even with a key returning piece, remains rather wide open.
Jahiem White, a true junior, rushed for 845 yards and 7 touchdowns last season, and to date has worked hard with the new coaching staff in place. Porter believes he is an elite processor when it comes to navigating the space in front of him, but he has a much higher ceiling.
“It’s my job to take him where he can’t take himself, and that’s kind of what we’re working through right now,” Porter said.
Redshirt freshman Diore Hubbard also returns but is more of an unknown in the backfield.
“We think has a tremendous amount of talent but he’s still working, trying to find himself as we work into fall camp,” Porter said.
Sophomore Clay Ash also is back after appearing in nine games as a freshman, primarily on special teams but was recognized for his efforts in the spring, earning the top walk-on designation.
The rest of the position room is new faces from the transfer portal or junior college ranks although at this time those first three along with Ferris State transfer Kannon Katzer are the only healthy options, as the others are working their way back from injuries or dealing with an eligibility issue.
But one thing that’s crystal clear is that West Virginia wants to run the football under head coach Rich Rodriguez, regardless of who is toting the rock.
“He’s shown over the years that he would absolutely run the leather off the ball. If you look at the last two seasons, he’s rushed the ball over 600 times each of the last two seasons,” he said.
It’s an expectation that Rodriguez has set and that starts in practice. The coaching staff is stressing each position group to the point that by the time they get to a game, there won’t be any concern.
“So you’re able to give more and sustain it at a higher level because you’ve been conditioned to do it over and over and over and over,” Porter said.
Porter is an experienced running back coach with almost 30-years under his belt so he is prepared to be the type of teacher that his position group needs.
“And if your room is built the right way, I think guys can thrive, whether they’re high school guys or younger guys, it doesn’t matter. But your method of teaching, you still have to have some flexibility because everybody doesn’t learn the same,” Porter said.
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