WVU's Projected Defensive Two-Deep

Earlier this month we previewed the offense, and with the season just two weeks away, it is now time to take a look at the defense.

Projected defensive two-deep:

DE - Z. Cooper, L. Ford, J. Miller

NG - P. Liebig, C. Neild, D.J. Shaw

DT - S. Berry, D. Slavonic, U. Grant

LB - Ivy, Goulbourne, Holmes

LB - R. Williams, Lazear, A. Leonard

LB - J.T. Thomas, Sims, N. Goode

SS - B. Allen, Sowers, C. Stuart

BS - Andrews, Glover

FS - E. Smith, R. Sands, D. Knight

CB - K. Richardson, Hogan, E. Davis

CB - Lankster, Dervil, C. Russell

P - McAfee, Kozlowski

Coming out of the spring practices, the biggest concern for the Mountaineer defense was the lack of depth along the defensive line.  Starters Johnny Dingle & Kelein Dykes had graduated, and James Ingram was dismissed from the team.

The coaching staff worked hard in the offseason to restock this area by signing junior college talents Tevita Finau and D.J. Shaw.  There was just one problem: Finau didn’t make the grade, and Shaw has yet to unleash his full potential.

Luckily, Coach Stew had an ace up his sleeve in the form of Pat Liebig, who rejoined the Mountaineer program during the summer.  Thankfully, Pat’s father has recovered from his illness, and the NCAA fully cleared the younger Liebig to return to the football field.  Liebig is a priceless addition to the defensive line who brings toughness and much-needed experience.

Taking Dingle’s place in the starting rotation will be West Virginia native Zac Cooper.  Cooper played a big role in the Fiesta Bowl, where he recorded an important sack and harassed Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford when Dingle was not in the game.  Returning starter Scooter Berry rounds out the top unit.

Larry Ford has finally put on some much-needed weight and looks to be a force when Cooper is catching a breather.  What was once thought to be a weakness on the Mountaineer defense could very well be a strength.

Undoubtedly the most talented area of Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel’s 3-3-5 stack defense is the linebacker unit led by senior Reed Williams.  Unfortunately, Reed has been sidelined during summer practices while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and may miss the first game or two.  If the problem persists, he could redshirt.

Luckily we are deep at the LB position.  Pat Lazear and Anthony Leonard round out the middle linebackers.

Mortty Ivy and J.T. Thomas are the other starters at LB.  Ex-quarterback Ivy is coming off an impressive junior season in which many people (including fellow pressboxer John) considered him the defensive MVP.  Expect more of the same in ’08.

Thomas, whose father was a linebacker under ex-head man Don Nehlen, looks to make a name for himself this season.  Speed, speed, and more speed are what these two young men bring to the position.

John Holmes, Ovid Goulbourne, Archie Sims, and Najee Goode (an intriguing prospect whose dad played a couple of years in the NFL) round out the corps.

The biggest question mark is in the secondary, particularly at cornerback.  Talented athlete Brandon Hogan has moved to the defensive side of the ball and has made such an impression that he is being considered as a starter.

I don’t care how talented the young man is: If he is being considered as a starter after moving to a new position and practicing there for only three weeks...that scares me.

For now, experience trumps youth, and Kent Richardson is holding on to the position.  Ellis Lankster is the No. 1 guy at the other corner spot.

The big talk in the secondary is Florida native and true freshman Robert Sands—big meaning figuratively and literally, as Sands checks in at 6’6”, towering over his more experienced cohorts.  Sands has apparently caught on quickly and will most likely see action in his first season backing up fellow Floridian Eain Smith.

Quinton Andrews has a stranglehold on the Bandit position, having been an on again/off again starter at the position for two years, and Boogie Allen will likely be the other safety first teamer.  Crowd favorite Nate Sowers and Sidney Glover will also see plenty of action, while Courtney Stuart and Derek Knight provide additional depth.

Having lost seven starters from last year’s squad, it will be difficult to live up to the seventh-ranked defense that West Virginia sported last season.  On paper, the talent and potential appear to be in place, but will they be as good?

No question the linebackers will be running around and making plays, but my concern is in the secondary.  Let’s hope that the defensive line is able to get a solid pass rush to help ease the pressure of breaking in a new crop of starters.