WVU linebackers in focus as script flips to off-season
Perhaps no position has been hit harder than at linebacker which caused some shuffling among the ranks in the spring and leaves some uncertainty heading into the fall.
Before drills even opened West Virginia was already down its best linebacker in starting WILL David Long who was recovering from off-season shoulder surgery from an injury in the bowl game as well as promising up-start SAM ‘backer Exree Loe who was forced to sit out the spring after a pectoral injury.
Before that Loe had impressed throughout the winter workouts and was working with the second team.
That’s enough to cause concern. But that wouldn’t be it.
Senior Quondarius Qualls was part of a two-man team at the SAM position with redshirt sophomore Charlie Benton, a player that only arrived on campus in January, before injuring his ACL.
The junior college prospect had struggled to find his footing in year one but was well on his way into developing into one a key contributor before he was sidelined for expectedly well into the season.
Then came another key blow when backup MIKE linebacker Brendan Ferns sustained his third season ending injury in as many years forcing defensive coordinator Tony Gibson to further shuffle.
While the bulk of these players are expected back this fall, the spring did serve as a valuable proving ground for many of those that had yet to break through on the field.
“We needed guys to get reps because we have a lot of young guys,” Gibson said.
Redshirt sophomore Dylan Tonkery has slid over to the middle spot in the Mountaineers defense and has made a natural transition into his new position.
It was a move sparked by Gibson in large part because it allowed him to leave his responsibilities in the pass game and do what he does best.
Tackle.
The Bridgeport product has bounced around to several different spots in his short career, but Gibson has the utmost confidence that he will be able to hold up against the bigger bodies on the inside. Because in the end it’s just football.
“You just have to run through your gap,” he said.
Behind Tonkery is a mix of junior Adam Hensley and redshirt sophomore Zach Sandwisch who will be counted on to step up in their third year with the program. Both options could play SAM or WILL as well and has at times this spring. But bouncing back and forth is nothing new in this scheme.
“SAM and WILL are very similar. So it’s not a big deal of how we split those guys up, if you’re playing SAM you could play WILL you just have to know where your help guys are at,” Gibson said.
Long will assume his starting role at WILL once fall camp opens but because he was sidelined it afforded true freshman Josh Chandler the opportunity to see more reps than he would have otherwise.
Benton has assumed the starting role at SAM and flourished during the spring. He was initially splitting the reps with Qualls but since the injury has emerged and risen to the challenge. A former safety, Benton brings a level of athleticism that is hard to prepare for according to Gibson.
“He’s going to be really good,” he added.
Qualls and Loe are expected to return this fall adding more to the position as the Mountaineers prepare to put together a finished product by the time Sept. 1 rolls around.
One player that has emerged enough to place himself in the current two-deep is local product and walk-on redshirt junior Shea Campbell. One of those players that has taken advantage of the opportunities in front of him, Campbell has done everything asked of him in the spring.
“Really like where he’s at,” Gibson said.
The 2018 season is one of great expectations at West Virginia and fielding a defense with the right pieces will be critical to match the expected success the offense. Linebackers are a key piece to that puzzle and the Mountaineers will need to sort things out come hell or high water.
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