WVU coaches SPUR-ring competition in camp
For West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s version of the 3-3-5 stack there is perhaps no position on the field more integral to the success of the scheme than the hybrid SPUR safety spot.
That’s because of what is asked out of the position to be able to play man-coverage on wide receivers and play the run while also providing a presence that can disrupt off the edge in blitzing situations without being forced to substitute. It’s a lot to ask.
Last season that position was manned by senior KJ Dillon who was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the NFL Draft this past April. This fall, Gibson has the challenge of attempting to find a replacement and there is a unique mix of challengers with camp now underway.
The spotlight is on premier junior college safety Kyzir White, the youngest brother of West Virginia wide receivers Kevin and Ka’Raun. Courted by programs such as USC, Penn State and Oklahoma, White elected to take the same path as his brothers and enrolled in May to get started on his career.
While a nagging knee injury limited his on the field action during the summer, White was able to take in plenty of mental reps in order to prepare him to compete for the spot. During his time at Lackawanna College he served in a similar role and already has the seasoning to step in and contribute.
“He played man, he blitzed and he played the run,” Gibson added.
It’s only been a few practices to date but so far Gibson has seen enough to know that White enters the program as advertised and is right where the coaches wanted him.
“He’s pretty athletic, looks good, great size and is long. I love where he’s at right now,” Gibson said.
During the spring redshirt junior Marvin Gross handled the bulk of the reps at the positon and is in the mix to see time on the field this fall. There is no mystery with what he brings to the table as the coaching staff was able to collect enough film during the course of the spring.
“Marvin is a guy that brings a lot to the table in the run game, blitz packages and different stuff like that. Marvin isn’t necessarily our top man guy but he is very athletic,” Gibson said.
That means that the bulk of the early reps have been force fed to White in order to catch him up to speed and see where he stands in regards to potentially challenging for that spot.
Behind White and Gross there are several other options as well as on experienced player in redshirt senior Jarrod Harper could see time there. Harper filled in for Karl Joseph at bandit safety last season after he went down with an injury and started the final eight games.
Other younger options getting work there include true freshmen JoVanni Stewart and Dylan Tonkery as well as redshirt freshman Deamonte Lindsday who could play several spots.
“We have to find a man that can do everything we want him to do,” Gibson said.