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EARLY
BIRD 2007 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED DECEMBER 2006 |
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WEST
VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS |
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OFFENSE
- 7 |
------RETURNING
STARTERS------ |
DEFENSE
- 9 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Rayshawn Bolden-WR, Brandon Myles-WR, Jason
Colson-RB/WR, Brad Palmer-TE, Jeremy Sheffey-OG,
Dan Mozes-C |
DEFENSE:
Craig
Wilson-NT, Warren Young-DT, Jay Henry-MLB,
Kevin McLee-WLB |
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Quarterback/Running
Back |
Forget
about it! Pat White and Steve
Slaton together again. Defenses
will be left helpless grabbing
shadows. |
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Offensive
Line |
The
top two blockers (Mozes and
Sheffey) have moved on. The
way this system works, don't
expect a huge drop off in the
middle. Technique and quickness
tends to rule under this coaching
staff where size may not be
available. |
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RB
Steve Slaton |
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DB
Eric Wicks |
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* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic
gauge for listing players that departed and players
that received the most playing experience (consistent
starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance
of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts,
transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups
and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our
full 2007 Preseason Preview due out this coming
spring. |
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WEST
VIRGINIA 2007 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Pat
White-Jr |
Jarrett
Brown-So |
TB |
Steve
Slaton-Jr |
Owen
Schmitt-Sr (FB/RB) / Eddie
Davis-So |
WR |
Tito
Gonzalez-Jr |
Nate
Sowers-So |
WR |
Darius
Reynaud-Sr |
Jeremy
Bruce-Jr |
WR |
Dorrell
Jalloh-Jr |
Wes
Lyons-So |
TE |
Mike
Villagrana-Sr |
.. |
OT |
Jake
Figner-Jr |
.. |
OG |
.. |
.. |
C |
.. |
.. |
OG |
Greg
Isdaner-So |
.. |
OT |
Ryan
Stanchek-Jr |
.. |
K |
Pat
McAfee-Jr |
.. |
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DEFENSE |
DE |
Johnny
Dingle-Sr |
James
Ingram-So |
NT |
Pat
Liebig-Sr |
.. |
DT |
Keilen
Dykes-Sr |
.. |
SLB |
Bobby
Hathaway-Sr |
.. |
MLB |
Marc
Magro-Sr |
Reed
Williams-Jr |
WLB |
Mortty
Ivy-Jr |
.. |
CB |
Antonio
Lewis-Sr |
Larry
Williams-Sr |
CB |
Vaughn
Rivers-Sr |
.. |
BS |
Ridwan
Malik-Sr |
John
Holmes-Jr / Charles Pugh-Jr |
SS |
Eric
Wicks-Sr |
.. |
FS |
Quinton
Andrews-So |
.. |
P |
Scott
Kozlowski-So |
Pat
McAfee-Jr |
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QUICK
ANALYSIS |
Get
ready for the Pat White/Steve Slaton show
Part III. WVU will be more than just these
two, but face it...with this dynamic duo
in the offensive backfield - combined with
the return of big bruising RB Owen Schmitt
- there is no way to keep WVU out of a preseason
Top 10 list. Consider that WVU had question
marks heading into ‘06 in terms of
brand new faces in the secondary - a facet
that hurt them in loses to Louisville and
South Florida. Next fall, such will not
be the case as Eric Wicks, Antonio Lewis
and Quinton Andrews headline a much more
aligned and experienced set of DBs. In fact,
most of the entire defense is set to return
outside of some key hitters at LB. But the
Mountaineers have some quality replacements
capable of filling the void. Getting back
to offense, replacing three time NC.net
All-American Dan Mozes at center and other
top lineman Jeremy Sheffey is not easy.
Considering the success OL coach Rick Trickett
has created with this group given the system
utilized, don't expect as much of a drop-off
as may be anticipated. Just keep spreading
opposing defenses out and let Slaton and
White work their magic. Although WVU is
generally thought of as a running football
team, the passing game is a plus when called
upon. A large contingent of worthy WRs continue
to dot the lineup despite the loss of a
few key seniors. Leading pass catcher Darius
Reynaud continues to give White plenty of
throwing options. Once again, the WVU schedule
is much the same...basically full of unproven,
unranked non-conference opponents. 2007
will be no different in terms of WVU being
a favorite to win the Big East, and more.
White and Slaton are already leading Heisman
contenders for ’07. The possibilities
with these two in the lineup together again
make WVU a strong candidate for improving
on just a two-loss season. Next season,
this will be a better team than the ‘06
version. Now that’s a hefty statement.
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WEST
VIRGINIA
2007 SCHEDULE
9-1
Ball State
9-8 @ Marshall
10-20 Mississippi State
TBA @ Maryland
TBA East Carolina
TBA @ Syracuse
TBA Connecticut
TBA Louisville
TBA @ Cincinnati
TBA Pittsburgh
TBA @ South Florida
TBA @ Rutgers
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