MORGANTOWN - In April, the whispers began. A wide receiver was transferring to West Virginia University's football team from Ohio State.
One that could wind up starting at the Z position.
So far, though, 6-foot-4 Devon Lyons is struggling.
"He's got some ability,'' said WVU offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen. "But every other route is the wrong one. Every other block is the wrong one. It's understandable because he did not go through spring [drills]. Academically, he was up in the air. So he's in the fifth practice after a year off.''
Lyons, brother of 6-8 junior Wes, also a receiver, is striving to overcome the odds.
"I'm just excited to be here,'' said the senior. "I'm out there trying to work, trying to get in the best shape possible. I just want to help in any way I can.''
Devon Lyons had to win a hardship case to be eligible. He did so in April. Now he must overcome the physical obstacles.
"I sprained both my ankles pretty bad a few times,'' said the elder Lyons. "Plus, I broke my foot. And I broke my collarbone.
"I feel pretty good now though. At this point, everyone is pretty sore, pretty tight. But I feel close to 100 percent.''
"He can help us out this year,'' said Mountaineer QB Pat White. "He's a big target and a good player.''
Camp notes
Former Kennedy Award winner Jordan Roberts had quite a time trying to keep up with a dancing Noel Devine in a running backs drill.
"It's a different level, a different speed,'' said WVU running backs coach Chris Beatty. "For a guy like [Roberts], he probably didn't have one guy [on his high school team] as fast as our 30th, 40th guy.''
Devon Lyons was politically correct when he said WVU's receiving corps compares favorably with that of Ohio State. He was emphatic, however, with the following statement:
"Mountaineers work harder than any team in the country. You can quote me on that. We do a lot more running than we did at Ohio State. I just feel they want it more here.''
Stewart said his team "worked very, very hard on pass protection'' during Thursday's morning practice session. The coach continues to praise receiver Alric Arnett and cornerback Ellis Lankster. He also said he believes linebacker Reed Williams, recovering from shoulder surgery, will play this season.
Mountaineer QB White on this year's WVU defense:
"I think we have one of the best defenses in the country. It's athletic. We just have to match the same intensity as last year.''
Offensive lineman Don Barclay, a redshirt freshman, has been tagged the next standout along the front by Stewart. On Thursday, Barclay said there's now more for his coach to love.
"I'm up to 300 pounds,'' he said. "I put on a little weight over the summer. About 15 pounds.''
And finally . . .
Jarrett Brown cracked about seeing brothers Pat and Coley White in the quarterback group.
"Yep, a White there, a Brown here, a White there,'' he said. "We've got all the colors.''
Reach Mitch Vingle at 348-84827 or mitchvin...@wvgazette.com.
MORGANTOWN - In April, the whispers began. A wide receiver was transferring to West Virginia University's football team from Ohio State.
One that could wind up starting at the Z position.
So far, though, 6-foot-4 Devon Lyons is struggling.
"He's got some ability,'' said WVU offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen. "But every other route is the wrong one. Every other block is the wrong one. It's understandable because he did not go through spring [drills]. Academically, he was up in the air. So he's in the fifth practice after a year off.''
Lyons, brother of 6-8 junior Wes, also a receiver, is striving to overcome the odds.
"I'm just excited to be here,'' said the senior. "I'm out there trying to work, trying to get in the best shape possible. I just want to help in any way I can.''
Devon Lyons had to win a hardship case to be eligible. He did so in April. Now he must overcome the physical obstacles.
"I sprained both my ankles pretty bad a few times,'' said the elder Lyons. "Plus, I broke my foot. And I broke my collarbone.
"I feel pretty good now though. At this point, everyone is pretty sore, pretty tight. But I feel close to 100 percent.''
"He can help us out this year,'' said Mountaineer QB Pat White. "He's a big target and a good player.''
Camp notes
Former Kennedy Award winner Jordan Roberts had quite a time trying to keep up with a dancing Noel Devine in a running backs drill.
"It's a different level, a different speed,'' said WVU running backs coach Chris Beatty. "For a guy like [Roberts], he probably didn't have one guy [on his high school team] as fast as our 30th, 40th guy.''
Devon Lyons was politically correct when he said WVU's receiving corps compares favorably with that of Ohio State. He was emphatic, however, with the following statement:
"Mountaineers work harder than any team in the country. You can quote me on that. We do a lot more running than we did at Ohio State. I just feel they want it more here.''
Stewart said his team "worked very, very hard on pass protection'' during Thursday's morning practice session. The coach continues to praise receiver Alric Arnett and cornerback Ellis Lankster. He also said he believes linebacker Reed Williams, recovering from shoulder surgery, will play this season.
Mountaineer QB White on this year's WVU defense:
"I think we have one of the best defenses in the country. It's athletic. We just have to match the same intensity as last year.''
Offensive lineman Don Barclay, a redshirt freshman, has been tagged the next standout along the front by Stewart. On Thursday, Barclay said there's now more for his coach to love.
"I'm up to 300 pounds,'' he said. "I put on a little weight over the summer. About 15 pounds.''
And finally . . .
Jarrett Brown cracked about seeing brothers Pat and Coley White in the quarterback group.
"Yep, a White there, a Brown here, a White there,'' he said. "We've got all the colors.''
Reach Mitch Vingle at 348-84827 or mitchvin...@wvgazette.com.
