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EARLY
BIRD 2006 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
RELEASED
THANKSGIVING 2005
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WEST
VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS |
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OFFENSE
- 8 |
------RETURNING
STARTERS------ |
DEFENSE
- 5 |
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KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Josh Bailey-TE, Travis Garrett-OT, Garin Justice-OT |
DEFENSE:
Ernest
Hunter-NT, Jeff Noechel-SLB, Anthony Mims-CB, Dee
McCann-CB, Jahmile Addae-FS, Mike Lorello-BS, Phil
Brady-P |
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Running
Back/Receiver
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We
need a four-deep depth chart to list
them all. QB Pat White is really just
another RB. Suffice to say, Coach
Rodriguez has a long list of skill
players to run his flex offense.
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Defensive
Back
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In this five set
secondary, only one main starter returns
in SS Eric Wicks. For WVU to raise
the bar, this unit has to be reconstructed.
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QB
Pat White
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LB
Kevin McLee
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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 2006 Preseason
Preview due out this coming spring. |
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WEST
VIRGINIA 2006 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Pat
White-So |
Adam
Bednarik-Jr |
TB |
Steve
Slaton-So |
Pernell
Williams-Jr / Jason Gwaltney-So |
WR |
Brandon
Myles-Sr |
Rayshawn
Bolden-Sr / Jason Colson-Sr (SLOT) |
WR |
Dorrell
Jalloh-So |
Jeremy
Bruce-So / Dwayne Thompson-Jr |
WR |
Darius
Reynaud-Jr |
Vaughn
Rivers-Jr / Brandon Barrett-Jr |
TE |
Michael
Villagrana-Jr |
Owen
Schmitt-Jr (FB) |
OT |
.. |
.. |
OG |
Ryan
Stanchek-So |
John
Bradshaw-So |
C |
Dan
Mozes-Sr |
.. |
OG |
Jeremy
Sheffey-Sr |
.. |
OT |
.. |
.. |
K |
Pat
McAfee-So |
.. |
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DEFENSE |
DE |
Craig
Wilson-Sr |
Johnny
Dingle-Jr |
NT |
Pat
Liebig-Jr |
.. |
DT |
Keilen
Dykes-Jr |
.. |
SLB |
Bobby
Hathaway-Jr |
.. |
MLB |
Jay
Henry-Sr |
Marc
Magro-Jr |
WLB |
Kevin
McLee-Sr |
Mortty
Ivy-So |
CB |
Larry
Williams-Jr |
.. |
CB |
Antonio
Lewis-Jr |
.. |
SS |
Eric
Wicks-Sr |
.. |
FS |
.. |
.. |
BS |
Ridwan
Malik-Jr |
.. |
P |
.. |
.. |
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QUICK
ANALYSIS
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Rich
gets richer, at least for coach Rich Rodriguez.
No one is quite sure what to make of WVU until
someone forces one of their QBs to throw the pigskin
in an effort to win. This “flex” offense
is built around its ground dimensions, and the
team's outstanding 2005 record reflects such.
Why throw the ball when freshmen like Pat White
and Steve Slaton are ripping through defenses
with their quick feet? Amazingly, it was true
freshman RB Jason Gwaltney, maybe WVU's biggest
recruit in the history of the program, who was
sure to be bound for early glory. Forget it, as
Steve Slaton has stolen the show in Morgantown.
This kid is quick and squares up to the hole faster
than anyone. Give credit to his big, quick-footed
OL. The only difficulty will be trying to replace
two top quality tackles. Senior Dan Mozes is the
leader at center, which makes the difficulty for
the newbies that much easier. If the Mountaineers
do have to throw, they can choose from up to nine
different receivers. None of them have proven
to be all-conference selections just yet, but
much of that has to do with running it 70% of
the time. The major concern is in the backfield
of this unique 3-3-5 defensive set. Call it a
quadruple loss as four of the five very talented
leaders depart, and only Eric Wicks returns. This
area will be the make or break for how far this
team can climb in the polls. And the polls are
the key, for while this group will be expected
to repeat as Big East champion (another BCS bowl),
real improvement will be measured in how far they
climb nationally. The schedule, now without Virginia
Tech, does not have anyone remotely resembling
a top ten team. There may be no need to throw
again in 2006 as long as Rodriguez’ squad
keeps commanding most without it.
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2006
SCHEDULE
9-2
Marshall
10-7 @ Mississippi State
TBA Maryland
TBA Buffalo
TBA @ East Carolina
TBA Syracuse
TBA Rutgers
TBA @ Louisville
TBA @ Connecticut
TBA Cincinnati
TBA South Florida
TBA @ Pittsburgh
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