Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 18, 2007 15:21:23 GMT -5
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN — Noel Devine, rated by some as the No. 1 prep running back in America last year, said Friday evening that he will be ready to make his debut with West Virginia University on Sept. 1 in the opening game against Western Michigan.
Asked whether he thinks he’ll get a chance then, he told the media in his first interview since coming to Morgantown this summer that, “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
The 5-8, 170-pound record-breaking superstar from Fort Myers, Fla., said All-America tailback Steve Slaton has been teaching him the spread offense and everything about the program. He enrolled in the WVU summer session and worked out with his new teammates since June.
Devine said he selected West Virginia over Southern Cal and several other colleges because “it’s a nice program, nice people. This is where I can better myself the most. It was basically my decision.
“I just want to play West Virginia football. When I took my visit, I fell in love with the place and wanted to come here.”
In doing so, Devine ignored Deion Sanders’ urging that he attend a year of prep school. He also told WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez that he didn’t want any special treatment just because he happens to be a high-profile recruit.
“I said I wanted to go back with the other guys,” Devine explained when Rodriguez was showing him around Morgantown during his visit. “I didn’t want any special treatment. I am one of the guys.”
Slaton and Devine agree that they’re very close.
“I learned from him that you have to be patient and stay humble,” the youngster said. “We’re here to play West Virginia football.
“That’s a team thing, and we’ll wait and watch if we have to be patient.”
Another WVU freshman, Brandon Hogan, played in the spread offense at Osbourne High in Virginia. But Devine played in a traditional Wing-T scheme at North Fort Myers High.
“It’s a lot faster,” Devine said of the WVU offense. “Everybody has to do their job for everything to go right. I’m getting to learn it. It’s basically that you have to read the zone, the block and go.
“You make one move, then have to limit your moves. But we’ll get it down pat. We’re comfortable now and are learning signals. It’s a lot different.”
Devine modestly kept saying he’s not any better than anybody else. He noted that he doesn’t watch his high school replay performances much on YouTube.com, saying he doesn’t want to get big-headed.
He has learned that the game at WVU is a lot faster and different from high school. He obviously doesn’t know how it will feel when Slaton is in the game and he’s sitting on the bench.
All he wants is a chance to see some action.
Devine rushed for 2,148 yards and scored 31 touchdowns as a senior. He was widely acclaimed in prep football circles as a five-star prospect.
© 2007, The Times West Virginian
P.O. Box 2530, Fairmont, West Virginia
(304) 367-2500
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN — Noel Devine, rated by some as the No. 1 prep running back in America last year, said Friday evening that he will be ready to make his debut with West Virginia University on Sept. 1 in the opening game against Western Michigan.
Asked whether he thinks he’ll get a chance then, he told the media in his first interview since coming to Morgantown this summer that, “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
The 5-8, 170-pound record-breaking superstar from Fort Myers, Fla., said All-America tailback Steve Slaton has been teaching him the spread offense and everything about the program. He enrolled in the WVU summer session and worked out with his new teammates since June.
Devine said he selected West Virginia over Southern Cal and several other colleges because “it’s a nice program, nice people. This is where I can better myself the most. It was basically my decision.
“I just want to play West Virginia football. When I took my visit, I fell in love with the place and wanted to come here.”
In doing so, Devine ignored Deion Sanders’ urging that he attend a year of prep school. He also told WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez that he didn’t want any special treatment just because he happens to be a high-profile recruit.
“I said I wanted to go back with the other guys,” Devine explained when Rodriguez was showing him around Morgantown during his visit. “I didn’t want any special treatment. I am one of the guys.”
Slaton and Devine agree that they’re very close.
“I learned from him that you have to be patient and stay humble,” the youngster said. “We’re here to play West Virginia football.
“That’s a team thing, and we’ll wait and watch if we have to be patient.”
Another WVU freshman, Brandon Hogan, played in the spread offense at Osbourne High in Virginia. But Devine played in a traditional Wing-T scheme at North Fort Myers High.
“It’s a lot faster,” Devine said of the WVU offense. “Everybody has to do their job for everything to go right. I’m getting to learn it. It’s basically that you have to read the zone, the block and go.
“You make one move, then have to limit your moves. But we’ll get it down pat. We’re comfortable now and are learning signals. It’s a lot different.”
Devine modestly kept saying he’s not any better than anybody else. He noted that he doesn’t watch his high school replay performances much on YouTube.com, saying he doesn’t want to get big-headed.
He has learned that the game at WVU is a lot faster and different from high school. He obviously doesn’t know how it will feel when Slaton is in the game and he’s sitting on the bench.
All he wants is a chance to see some action.
Devine rushed for 2,148 yards and scored 31 touchdowns as a senior. He was widely acclaimed in prep football circles as a five-star prospect.
© 2007, The Times West Virginian
P.O. Box 2530, Fairmont, West Virginia
(304) 367-2500
