Holgorsen's Take: Fall Camp 8-5
The West Virginia defensive line is now down two bodies after head coach Dana Holgorsen announced that redshirt junior Xavier Pegues will be out until at least late October.
Pegues underwent shoulder surgery a few months ago and isn’t expected to return until late October or early November. This is the second injury on the defensive line after redshirt sophomore Jaleel Fields suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to the start of fall camp.
The Mountaineers moved Jon Lewis over from tight end while also putting true freshman Chase Behrndt at nose guard from his recruited position on the offensive line. West Virginia also signed another junior college prospect in defensive end Brandon Lawless to address the issues with depth. Right now the coaches have nine bodies to go three-deep on the front, while also having true freshman Jeffery Pooler if they elect to not redshirt him this fall.
“We have nine bodies they have to stay healthy,” Holgorsen said.
Also on the injury front junior college transfer Trevon Wesco twisted his knee and while there is nothing structurally wrong will miss time during fall camp. Redshirt junior Elijah Wellman also was injured and sophomore wide receiver Gary Jennings is out with a cut on his hand. Both are considered minor.
“If they’re out, out I’ll let you know,” Holgorsen said.
Holgorsen said that the first day in pads brought energy to the field and things were physical at times. Today there won’t be any live situations but the Mountaineers will move onto tempo drills in order to test how quickly the players can grasp what they need to do.
During the off-season West Virginia had turnover on the coaching staff including the addition of offensive coordinator Joe Wickline to the program. A 34-year coaching veteran and renowned offensive line coach, Wickline has helped offensive line coach Ron Crook to widen the pocket in pass protection.
Last season that was a major concern for the Mountaineers as Holgorsen pointed to the fact that he didn’t call a drop-back pass for “like nine weeks.” The head coach specifically referenced the first offensive play against Oklahoma when a defensive end came free in the B-gap and lowered a crushing hit on quarterback Skyler Howard.
“If you don’t think that affects the way a quarterback plays then you’re out of your mind,” he said.
The focus has been on improving technique with the offensive tackles and getting Howard more comfortable in the pocket in order to throw the football more effectively.
“In order to take the next step offensively we’ve got to be able to do that,” Holgorsen said.
Holgorsen highlighted the play of redshirt junior offensive tackle Marcell Lazard in Thursday’s practice saying it is the best one he has seen from him. The offensive tackle is locked in a battle with redshirt freshman Colton McKivitz for the starting right tackle spot but if McKivitz doesn’t win that job he has the ability to be that swing tackle and play both sides for the Mountaineers.
“We gives us depth at tackle we haven’t had in a while,” he said.
Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said that the defensive is still in the process of developing but Holgorsen said that he has no concerns with the progress of the unit.
“I’m not worried about him getting guys to understand what to do,” he said.
Holgorsen also addressed the continuity in the program saying that he is comfortable with the offensive schemes and the new additions to the coaching staff in Blue Adams and Tyron Carrier.
“It’s fun to watch them come to practice in cleats. I don’t know if I’ve seen that from a coach,” he said.
When addressing the facilities Holgorsen said that he recently took a tour of the upgrades to the stadium and was thoroughly impressed but then made the mistake of coming back on the side that is currently not undergoing renovations and realized the magnitude of the updates.