Quick Hits: Highlights from Saturday's Practice, Depth at WR, Euro Development + More

See what WVU head coach Neal Brown said to the media on Saturday.

Defense on Saturday

"I thought our defensive line had their best day. Sean Martin, I thought he showed some flashes of what he can be which is a great run defender and a guy that can apply some pressure in the pass game. DayDay Hawkins had a nice day. And our noses, Hammond Russell and Mike Lockhart are both playing into shape and I thought they showed today. [Jared] Bartlett had a couple pressures. He's playing more efficient with his movement, he's controlling his body better. And then Josiah Trotter and James Heard, they flashed today too. They missed some plays too because they played a little bit out of control but you saw some flashes from them."

Offense on Saturday

"I thought CJ Donaldson, in our live work, I think he had four or five carries and if he'll continue to work on his body and stay healthy, he's got big-time ability. He had a couple of explosive runs and showed good patience. He's a load to tackle. Garrett [Greene] got all the ones with Nicco [Marchiol] being out. Hit some nice runs. Wasn't as accurate passing as he had been to this point. He'd been really, really accurate. Wasn't as accurate today. I think our tight ends had more catches. That's been a point of emphasis. Will Dixon is a guy that's coming along. And then receiver-wise, Devin [Carter] has played well and Preston Fox had a couple nice plays as well."

Depth at WR

"Cortez [Braham] is coming along. Not his best day today, but he's been consistent. We've caught the ball really well. That's obviously been an issue in the past. But Cortez, I think he's going to be one of our most improved players once we get to the fall. I think he's going to be a guy we can count on. Jeremiah Aaron needs to continue to come along. He's got big play potential. He's got to put it together and be an every-down guy. Hudson Clement has had a nice spring to this point. Jarel Williams is getting better. Rodney [Gallagher] was out at practice today. He's going to have opportunities. He's going to have to gain some weight and get stronger but in fall camp he's going to have some opportunities in the slot to be able to help us."

Development of the European kids

"Eddie [Vesterinen] is a dog. He can play. He's the same every day. He's consistent. He works extremely hard. He's got a great motor, which is one of the best compliments I can give a d-lineman. Jai [Faverus] is probably over a three-year period has maybe made as big a jump football-wise like understanding the game, as much as anybody we've had. He's going to be a plus special teams player for us and I think if he continues to develop, he'll be a guy that'll give us some defensive snaps. Victor [Wikstrom], this is a big spring for him. He's got to continue to come on. And then Ollie [Straw], I thought he had a tremendous freshman year and he'll only build off of that."

Young offensive linemen standing out

"So Johnny Williams, who just got here, now he won't play for us in the fall, but he is what we thought he was. He's a long guy that has twitch and is really smart. So pleased with him. I think that Mo Hamilton has got a lot of ability. He just needs reps. Sully [Weidman] reminds me of and I'm not putting pressure on him like he reminds me very similar to where Tomas [Rimac] was a year ago. Where his good plays you're like, I like where he's at and his negative plays which are all fundamentally-based, those are really bad. So if we can clean some of those things up, he's going to be a guy that can for sure help us."

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