Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 22, 2007 14:58:38 GMT -5
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN — Two young prospects on West Virginia University’s defensive line have impressed Bill Kirelawich, the veteran coach of that critical unit.
One of those, sophomore Thor Merrow, is following in the Mountaineer footsteps of his father Jeff, who was an outstanding player here from 1972-74.
The other is Eric Jobe, a redshirt freshman who switched from offense to defense halfway through preseason camp, which ended last Saturday.
“Right now we’re working on a shoestring budget in the defensive line,” Kirelawich said at the time. “We have only about five ready to play.”
But he emphasized that he certainly likes both Merrow, who’s from Buford, Ga., and Jobe, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound product of LaPlata, Md., who had been penciled in as the No. 2 center.
“Merrow is as tough a kid as there is,” Kirelawich said. “He’s a good, hard-nosed guy. To be that small (6-foot-1, 240) and play at this level, you’d better be very, very tough. He’s all of that.”
The position coach also is impressed by the toughness of Jobe.
“I hope he stays on defense,” he said. “I think he’ll be good at nose guard or defensive tackle. With me, anybody has got to be able to play all three positions.”
Kirelawich thinks the nose position is the toughest to play.
“It’s a different animal,” he said.
That happens to be the spot where Merrow is projected to be the starter, going against offensive centers much bigger. His father made WVU’s all-time team for the period 1970-79 as a middle guard.
“The centers play perfect techniques,” Kirelawich noted. “So the nose has to be technically sound in everything he does.”
He calls Merrow “a Pat Liebig in a smaller body.”
Liebig was a standout in the D-line last season, but skipped his senior year to help in his ailing father’s Florida business.
Keilein Dykes and Johnny Dingle will be leaders up front as returning regulars. Both are quality performers who can play any of the three positions.
Dykes, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound senior from Youngstown, Ohio, made 32 tackles, including three sacks, last season. Dingle, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound senior from Miami, had 18 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
Kirelawich must rely on developing more young line prospects to have the depth he desires. But he said he’s still looking.
© 2007, The Times West Virginian
P.O. Box 2530, Fairmont, West Virginia
(304) 367-2500
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN — Two young prospects on West Virginia University’s defensive line have impressed Bill Kirelawich, the veteran coach of that critical unit.
One of those, sophomore Thor Merrow, is following in the Mountaineer footsteps of his father Jeff, who was an outstanding player here from 1972-74.
The other is Eric Jobe, a redshirt freshman who switched from offense to defense halfway through preseason camp, which ended last Saturday.
“Right now we’re working on a shoestring budget in the defensive line,” Kirelawich said at the time. “We have only about five ready to play.”
But he emphasized that he certainly likes both Merrow, who’s from Buford, Ga., and Jobe, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound product of LaPlata, Md., who had been penciled in as the No. 2 center.
“Merrow is as tough a kid as there is,” Kirelawich said. “He’s a good, hard-nosed guy. To be that small (6-foot-1, 240) and play at this level, you’d better be very, very tough. He’s all of that.”
The position coach also is impressed by the toughness of Jobe.
“I hope he stays on defense,” he said. “I think he’ll be good at nose guard or defensive tackle. With me, anybody has got to be able to play all three positions.”
Kirelawich thinks the nose position is the toughest to play.
“It’s a different animal,” he said.
That happens to be the spot where Merrow is projected to be the starter, going against offensive centers much bigger. His father made WVU’s all-time team for the period 1970-79 as a middle guard.
“The centers play perfect techniques,” Kirelawich noted. “So the nose has to be technically sound in everything he does.”
He calls Merrow “a Pat Liebig in a smaller body.”
Liebig was a standout in the D-line last season, but skipped his senior year to help in his ailing father’s Florida business.
Keilein Dykes and Johnny Dingle will be leaders up front as returning regulars. Both are quality performers who can play any of the three positions.
Dykes, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound senior from Youngstown, Ohio, made 32 tackles, including three sacks, last season. Dingle, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound senior from Miami, had 18 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
Kirelawich must rely on developing more young line prospects to have the depth he desires. But he said he’s still looking.
© 2007, The Times West Virginian
P.O. Box 2530, Fairmont, West Virginia
(304) 367-2500
