Neal Evaluates Saturday's Scrimmage

The Mountaineers held their first scrimmage of the year on Saturday, and on Monday, head coach Neal Brown gave a brief evaluation of all three-phases of the team.

The defense has been a hot topic in the offseason after allowing an average of 412.3 yards and 32.9 points per game last season which placed unit in the bottom half of the Big 12 Conference rankings in the respective categories.

“Defensively, overall, we did a good job of getting lined up,” said Brown. “My biggest thing has been alignment, physicality and getting to the ball. Really, a straining deal getting to the ball, and I thought our alignments were good, a couple of off of the twos, but our alignments were pretty solid overall. I would say we’re almost there as far as getting to the ball but we’re not quite where we need to be and then the physicality piece, we’re being physical, when we get into tackle situations, we’ve got to do a good job of running our feet.”

“I think our d-line is doing better. We’re a group that’s going to be by committee. So, we’re deeper than we have been, maybe we don’t have a guy like [All-American] Dante [Stills] that’s sticking out right now but we’re deeper than we have been but it’s going to be by committee, and so we’re going to play nine or 11 guys up there and we’re going to roll them but when they’re in there for their three to five plays they got to be playing with pad level they got to be striking with their hands and that group is getting better. I’m pleased with their development.

“Linebacker, a work in progress. That’s a position we’re putting a lot of pressure on. The way I look at it is every practice that I’m making I’m like Ok how can I stress our defense at linebacker to get them ready where they have to communicate – them and [safety] Aubrey [Burks] and then on offense, how can I put the most stress possible on the quarterbacks.”

Brown also noted a few defensive backs as a bright spot on the defense, citing redshirt sophomore Andrew Wilson-Lamp and transfers Beanie Bishop (Minnesota) and Anthony Wilson (Georgia Southern) continue to make plays during fall camp.

Quarterbacks Nicco Marchiol and Garrett Greene continue to battle for the starting job at quarterback. Greene, entering his fourth season, appears to be the frontrunner while Nicco continues to push for the starting role.

“Offensively, the quarterbacks, we did some situational work. Nicco had a really good two-minute drive at the scrimmage. Struggled with some decision making early. I thought Garrett was pretty solid. He ran around, made a couple of scramble plays but really just solid in his decision making on Saturday.”

The running back room is the deepest position group, and they continue to highlight the offseason.

“(Redshirt Sophomore) Jalen Anderson had a really good day, [he] was productive. He’s a guy we need, we just got to get him in shape. He’s got to be able to play continues plays but he’s talented. (Freshman) Jaheim White was good. He was better without the ball and that’s what you always worry about with running backs early in their career is can they play away from the ball when the ball is not in their hands. Can they lead block, can they pass pro, can they run routes, I thought he did a better job, and (junior) Justin Johnson was really consistent. We took it easy on (sophomore) CJ [Donalson]. Justin has probably been our most consistent player at that position during fall camp.”

The scrimmage featured the rushing attack throughout most of the practice period, but a couple of freshman receivers stood out.

“Treylan Ray, a true freshman receiver, was our leading receiver in the scrimmage,” said Brown. “From a freshman standpoint, he’s doing some good things and I think he’ll be in the mix for us. And then (redshirt sophomore) Preston [Fox] and Hudson Clement had a nice day.”

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