MORGANTOWN - The news of the day from WVU's football camp was the frustration shown on the face of defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.
"We're not where I thought we'd be," he said. "We're a little bit behind. ... Right now we're a little slow."
The other piece of news had to do with defensive lineman Xavier Pegues. When asked about the redshirt junior, Gibson said, "You need to ask Dana [Holgorsen] about him," before adding that "he didn't do anything wrong at all."
"It's something Dana needs to talk about. We're not allowed to talk about it at all."
Holgorsen, however, wasn't available to the press. In addition, through Thursday, the media were only allowed to watch a half hour of one practice session. (Ah, for the good old days when writers could take in every practice leading up to school.)
The coaches did, however, recently cut loose of a depth chart to dissect. And there were subtle changes to what was expected or projected.
As mentioned Thursday in my Noble Nwachukwu piece, redshirt freshman Alec Shriner is currently listed behind Darrien Howard on defense at the nose tackle position. That's new because of backup Jaleel Fields' injury. Holgorsen said freshman Chase Behrndt, recruited as an offensive lineman, is also being tried there.
On Thursday, though, Gibson added comment, first saying "losing Jaleel is going to hurt us" and then suggesting Jon Lewis, listed as the defensive end behind starter Christian Brown, could spell Howard. He even suggested Brown could spell Howard. And of Shriner, Gibson said the staff "is developing him."
"He's with the [second team]," said the coach.
Lewis, by the way, wasn't projected to be Brown's backup back in the spring. That was Pegues.
If you have all that, let's move on to the Spur position, where Marvin Gross is listed ahead of junior college transfer Kyzir White, brother of receiver Ka'Raun. That will certainly change because all in the WVU circle say Kyzir White is a flat-out stud. But Gibson did throw some flowers Gross's way.
"He's a guy that brings a lot to the table in the run game, blitz packages, things like that," said the defensive coordinator. "Marvin isn't necessarily our top [man-to-man coverage] guy, but he brings a lot to the table because he's very athletic. Against wideouts he can impose a presence. He's longer and plays physically.
"The reason we're giving Kyzir so many reps is we have a ton of film on Marvin from the spring. We know what we have."
At Sam, the strong-side linebacker position, Martinsburg High grad Justin Arndt is expected to the start the first game because Xavier Preston will be serving a one-game suspension. But game No. 2?
"It's still whoever wins it," Gibson said. "Both are going to play a bunch. They both have experience."
Bank on the bigger, more physical Preston.
Oh, and if you're wondering about WVU's recruiting coup, aka Brendan Ferns, know he's slotted at middle linebacker and, at least on the depth chart now, is behind Al-Rasheed Benton and Hodari Christian.
"He's doing well right now," Gibson said. "It's hard to get a really good read because we haven't had the pads on [before Thursday afternoon]. Hopefully, when the pads go on we'll get a little more physical and that's when you see some things."
At the weak-side linebacker position, redshirt senior Sean Walters is No. 1 on the depth chart in front of talented redshirt freshman David Long. Curiously, there isn't an "or" on the chart between the names. (It's there for a couple offensive positions like right guard Kyle Bosch and Tony Matteo as well as right tackle Marcell Lazard and Colton McKivitz.)
Don't be deceived, however.
"Walters and Long are in a battle right now," Gibson said. "I don't know who is going to be out there for the first snap, but both will play a lot of snaps. It's sort of like when we had [Shaq] Petteway and [Ed] Muldrow. It's going to be a thing where they'll rotate in and out and if one is having a game, he'll be in there. But I like both of them and where they're at."
Adam Hensley is the freshman at that position. Zach Sandwisch, who has been earning praise, is on the strong side.
Another defensive note is Elijah Battle, a junior college transfer, is listed No. 2 behind Rasul Douglas at one of the cornerback positions. The projection was that slot would go to freshman Jordan Adams.
"We're just getting them some good reps," Gibson said. "We want to see them."
On offense, backup guards Grant Lingafelter and Matteo have been switched, which is no big deal. But also along the front, Ja'HShaun Seider is listed as the No. 2 center behind All-America candidate Tyler Orlosky.
"Tony [Matteo] and Seider are both taking reps there with the No. 2s," said offensive line coach Ron Crook. "The great thing about it is we can develop more depth and get Seider to work on the stuff he needs to work on."
Last, redshirt freshman Stone Wolfley continues to be listed as the No. 1 tight end in front of junior college transfer Trevon Wesco. Some inside WVU's circle really like Wesco; some not so much.
"It's hard to tell," said assistant Joe Wickline. "It's all new to [Wesco]: the offensive system, playbook, snap count and formations. Also, you can't tell a whole lot in shorts."
The process continues.
"The greatest thing is," Gibson said, "we still have a couple weeks of camp where it's just football."
Contact Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827 or mitchvingle@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MitchVingle.