The views from here:
Many times coaches won't tip their hands to the media, but most starting jobs have been won by this time in spring drills for next football season.
At WVU, however, there are a few interesting battles to watch. It will be fun, for instance, to see how the linebacking two-deep shakes out. At the Sam position, defensive coordinator Tony Gibson has Xavier Preston and Justin Arndt. At the Mike, there's Al-Rasheed Benton and Hodari Christian. At the Will, there's Sean Walters and David Long. But where does four-star recruit Brendan Ferns fit in? Surely, he'll crack the two-deep.
Behind the linebackers, starting corners seem set with Nana Kyeremeh and Rasul Douglas. Dravon Henry will be the free safety. More than likely, junior college transfer Kyzir White will take over at spur.
Which leaves us at the bandit position. Jarrod Harper took over at spur last season when Karl Joseph was injured. He had nine starts and 13 games played. He had 29 tackles and four passes broken up.
But Harper is now at bandit - sort of. He's missed all of spring drills after undergoing shoulder surgery. ("He's coming along," said safeties coach Matt Caponi. "It's the same thing as last offseason. It's tough because you'd like for him to have more reps in the spring. The way he makes up for it though is by taking mental reps.")
In his absence, Jeremy Tyler has been getting a grip - perhaps on the starting job.
"Jeremy is an outstanding football player," Caponi said. "He understands the game. He's one of the more physical guys we have. He can tackle; he can cover. He's kind of what we're looking for: a prototypical safety in this [3-3-5] defense. He does a little bit of everything.
"Also, he's a great kid. He's not one you have to keep tabs on 24-7. I've been very impressed. He's had a great spring so far. As long as he keeps working his butt off, he's going to have a great senior year."
Of course, in the Big 12 both bandits will see significant playing time. But if Tyler indeed starts, it will be a nice feather in the cap for the senior from Lithonia, Georgia.
"It's been a long way," Tyler said. "Coming from Georgia, it wasn't pretty. This [opportunity] made me open my eyes and become a better person. Now, I'm just trying to get better every day and make sure I'm accountable to my teammates."
Tyler, now 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, had 34 offers to consider coming out of Martin Luther King High.
"I pared it down to my top three: here, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M," he said. "I came here to get away, try something new. I love it up here."
WVU's coaches are apparently fond of him as well. Tyler played in eight games as a true freshman, 13 as a sophomore and 12 last season.
- It will be interesting to see how the NCAA rules if or when WVU files an appeal for Florida football transfer Will Grier.
The quarterback can't play in 2016 because of the transfer rule. Then he may have to sit out some games in 2017 because he tested positive for what he claims was included in an over-the-counter supplement. An appeal was denied Nov. 20, 2015.
If WVU, however, can present a logical argument Grier was unaware of what he was taking, perhaps there's room for a break. He's already missed part of what was shaping up to be a very nice 2015 season. He's sitting out this coming season. He felt like he had to relocate.
Is that not enough punishment for a 21-year old?
- This past weekend's Masters might have some folks wondering about the upcoming Greenbrier Classic.
Well, the dates for it are July 7-10. The first official players' commitment release will come June 6.
- WVU's basketball season ended with a thud. But when folks look back on it years from now it might be in glowing terms. In case you didn't realize it, the Mountaineers finished ranked No. 8 in the final Associated Press poll (which ends before the NCAA tournament) and No. 14 in the USA Today coaches' poll (which publishes after). The latter showed some nice respect for the Mountaineers' regular season accomplishments.
- Former Mountaineers star Darryl Talley's sad story was brought up again by his wife Janine after release of the movie "Concussion."
Many know Talley, now 55, suffers from depression and numerous physical ailments he blames on his 14-year NFL career. Well, Janine Talley told the Sporting News of Talley's time watching the movie.
"I viewed him as he sat on the edge of his seat, tears welling in his eyes," she said. "He watched with the intensity he usually dedicates to an action movie."
She also said this: "I've loved Darryl since I was 18 years old," she said. "This isn't how I envisioned our lives. We've been robbed of happiness and fulfillment."
Heartbreaking.
- And finally ...
A story that, hopefully, will have a happier ending.
Many in the Mountain State know about WVU women's basketball standout Bria Holmes.
Well, if you weren't at the Mountaineers' Senior Day, you might have missed her big moment. And I'm not talking about her honor that day. Or her team's demolition of then-No. 22 Oklahoma State.
I'm talking about Holmes' moment after a television interview.
Right after, longtime boyfriend Oterrious Diggins went to her side, got down on his knee and proposed. She said yes.
Good wishes, kids.