Fleming making most of last chance at West Virginia

Maurice Fleming already had a role on the Iowa football team but wanted more.

The Chicago native had seen action in 33 career games during his time with the Hawkeyes but had only recorded two-starts. So he looked at his options and West Virginia was a place that afforded him the opportunity to for a larger role in his final season.

Fleming took advantage of the graduate transfer rule and arrived in Morgantown in June. It was new surroundings with new teammates but the mission was clear. Get on the field.

“If I didn’t think I could compete for the starting role I wouldn’t be attending West Virginia,” Fleming said at the time he chose the Mountaineers.

And while his eventual role in defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s scheme is still yet to be determined, the graduate transfer has taken some major steps forward in the latter stages of fall camp toward accomplishing what he set out to do.

“He’s a kid that’s standing out right now,” Gibson said.

It was that drive and focus that initially stood out to Gibson when he recruited the cornerback.

“He’s focused and understands what he wants and how he’s going to do it,” Gibson said.

Fleming was one of the players that took the field first at cornerback in the scrimmage that was open to media and while that isn’t a clear indication of where he stands on the depth chart it can’t hurt. Gibson has been tasked with replacing all three of his top cornerbacks from last season’s team and Fleming brings an element of on the field experience to the group.

Cornerbacks coach Blue Adams isn’t anywhere close to putting together a grouping for his cornerbacks at this stage but has been impressed with the drive he’s seen out of Fleming who realizes this is his last chance to make a play at a starting spot in college.

“He’s a hard worker. He likes ball,” Adams said.

Taking the lead, Fleming has been relentless in every drill and is always a high-effort player on the field. His versatility also allows him the opportunity to move around and fill the nickel role if he doesn’t emerge as one of the starting cornerbacks. In fact, he is currently listed as the first team nickel.

“But if he’s one of our best two guys then he’s going to play corner and the third guy will move in,” Gibson said of Fleming.