Post by wvumaryjane on Aug 30, 2007 16:54:20 GMT -5
Calm of West Virginia just fine for Devine
By Terry Brady
tbrady@news-press.com
Originally posted on August 30, 2007
Courtesy of West Virginia University
Lee County's all-time leading rusher Noel Devine is fighting for the second string tailback position for West Virginia University.
Throughout Noel Devine's high school football career, the spotlight upon him was always bright and always on.
Since Lee County's all-time leading rusher graduated from North Fort Myers High in the spring and moved on to play for West Virginia University, the light's intensity has lessened to a flicker.
And he couldn't be happier about it.
"It's better," he said. "It's a lot better. It takes the pressure off me."
Devine, 19, is fighting for the Mountaineers' second string tailback position with freshman Jock Sanders as All-American Steve Slaton, the nation's fourth leading rusher last season, holds the top spot.
"I'm learning from the veterans, watching what they do," Devine said.
WVU coach Rich Rodriguez said Devine will see playing time this season as a back and as a kick returner. He said Devine could possibly see some game time in the slot position as well.
"Any true freshman that plays at all, which is rare at this level, you have to consider it (a) success," Rodriguez said.
While Devine's playing time might be limited this season, Rodriguez has high hopes for the 5-foot-8-inch, 170-pound speedster.
"I think he'll have an outstanding career," he said. "He has great quickness, good ball skills, he's eager to learn, which is what you hope you get when you recruit. He's like a sponge. You can tell he loves football."
Devine said when he arrived in Morgantown this summer, he told his coaches he didn't want any special treatment.
In talking to Devine and Rodriguez, it doesn't seem like he's getting any.
"I'm just trying to do what I can do and not get yelled at," Devine said. "(The coaching staff) is on you more than in high school. It's tough. It'll test you sometime."
Devine said a big test came over the summer when he and his teammates went through a two-week training camp that had them working out, practicing and learning the offense through 131/2 hour days.
"We push the guys pretty hard," Rodriguez said. "It's pretty intense. (Devine's) work ethic is outstanding, which goes to be expected."
Rodriguez described Devine as quiet and said he is fitting nicely into the program.
"He's doing well," Rodriguez said. "Like with any true freshman, there's a learning curve that takes a while to learn, but I've been really pleased."
Devine said learning a new offense and new terminology was a bit daunting at first, but said he feels he's starting to get a firm grasp on it.
He also said he's getting a firm grasp on college life.
"Everyone seems so supportive, positive," Devine said. "I'm starting a new life up here. I have a different reputation up here."
When asked if he missed Southwest Florida, Devine quickly answered "no."
"That place was holding me down," he said.
Devine said he remembers those who doubted he would pass the ACT, those who doubted he would graduate high school, and those who doubted he would go on to college. He said that sometimes works as inspiration for him.
Despite all that, Devine said he can't wait to return.
But not to hang out. He said he misses his two children terribly and can't wait to see them again.
"I'm going to see if I can't get down there during the (University of South Florida) week," Devine said.
WVU travels to USF on Sept. 28. The game is slotted to be broadcast on ESPN2.
Devine said since arriving at WVU, he has had no free time, which he said has required some adjustment on his part.
"It's full-time football," Devine said.
When asked how WVU's recent dubious honor of being crowned the No. 1 party school in the nation would affect him, he said it wouldn't.
"I went to school to play football," he said, "You have to follow the rules and stay focused."
Devine said he and his teammates have an 11 p.m. curfew.
"It helps keep you out of trouble," he said.
Devine, who has yet to declare a major, said he is taking 17 credit hours. That is six more than required to be considered a full-time student.
Over the past few years, it has been common for Devine to cut interviews short, as he did with The News-Press on Monday.
However, the reason he gave for his departure was one he had never used in the past.
"I have to go now," he said. "I have to go study."
While Devine's playing time might be limited this season, Rodriguez has high hopes for the 5-foot-8-inch, 170-pound speedster.
"I think he'll have an outstanding career," he said. "He has great quickness, good ball skills, he's eager to learn, which is what you hope you get when you recruit. He's like a sponge. You can tell he loves football."
Devine said when he arrived in Morgantown this summer, he told his coaches he didn't want any special treatment.
In talking to Devine and Rodriguez, it doesn't seem like he's getting any.
"I'm just trying to do what I can do and not get yelled at," Devine said. "(The coaching staff) is on you more than in high school. It's tough. It'll test you sometime."
Devine said a big test came over the summer when he and his teammates went through a two-week training camp that had them working out, practicing and learning the offense through 131/2 hour days.
"We push the guys pretty hard," Rodriguez said. "It's pretty intense. (Devine's) work ethic is outstanding, which goes to be expected."
Rodriguez described Devine as quiet and said he is fitting nicely into the program.
"He's doing well," Rodriguez said. "Like with any true freshman, there's a learning curve that takes a while to learn, but I've been really pleased."
Devine said learning a new offense and new terminology was a bit daunting at first, but said he feels he's starting to get a firm grasp on it.
He also said he's getting a firm grasp on college life.
"Everyone seems so supportive, positive," Devine said. "I'm starting a new life up here. I have a different reputation up here."
When asked if he missed Southwest Florida, Devine quickly answered "no."
"That place was holding me down," he said.
Devine said he remembers those who doubted he would pass the ACT, those who doubted he would graduate high school, and those who doubted he would go on to college. He said that sometimes works as inspiration for him.
Despite all that, Devine said he can't wait to return.
But not to hang out. He said he misses his two children terribly and can't wait to see them again.
"I'm going to see if I can't get down there during the (University of South Florida) week," Devine said.
WVU travels to USF on Sept. 28. The game is slotted to be broadcast on ESPN2.
Devine said since arriving at WVU, he has had no free time, which he said has required some adjustment on his part.
"It's full-time football," Devine said.
When asked how WVU's recent dubious honor of being crowned the No. 1 party school in the nation would affect him, he said it wouldn't.
"I went to school to play football," he said, "You have to follow the rules and stay focused."
Devine said he and his teammates have an 11 p.m. curfew.
"It helps keep you out of trouble," he said.
Devine, who has yet to declare a major, said he is taking 17 credit hours. That is six more than required to be considered a full-time student.
Over the past few years, it has been common for Devine to cut interviews short, as he did with The News-Press on Monday.
However, the reason he gave for his departure was one he had never used in the past.
"I have to go now," he said. "I have to go study."
www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070830/SPORTS/708300404/1010
By Terry Brady
tbrady@news-press.com
Originally posted on August 30, 2007
Courtesy of West Virginia University
Lee County's all-time leading rusher Noel Devine is fighting for the second string tailback position for West Virginia University.
Throughout Noel Devine's high school football career, the spotlight upon him was always bright and always on.
Since Lee County's all-time leading rusher graduated from North Fort Myers High in the spring and moved on to play for West Virginia University, the light's intensity has lessened to a flicker.
And he couldn't be happier about it.
"It's better," he said. "It's a lot better. It takes the pressure off me."
Devine, 19, is fighting for the Mountaineers' second string tailback position with freshman Jock Sanders as All-American Steve Slaton, the nation's fourth leading rusher last season, holds the top spot.
"I'm learning from the veterans, watching what they do," Devine said.
WVU coach Rich Rodriguez said Devine will see playing time this season as a back and as a kick returner. He said Devine could possibly see some game time in the slot position as well.
"Any true freshman that plays at all, which is rare at this level, you have to consider it (a) success," Rodriguez said.
While Devine's playing time might be limited this season, Rodriguez has high hopes for the 5-foot-8-inch, 170-pound speedster.
"I think he'll have an outstanding career," he said. "He has great quickness, good ball skills, he's eager to learn, which is what you hope you get when you recruit. He's like a sponge. You can tell he loves football."
Devine said when he arrived in Morgantown this summer, he told his coaches he didn't want any special treatment.
In talking to Devine and Rodriguez, it doesn't seem like he's getting any.
"I'm just trying to do what I can do and not get yelled at," Devine said. "(The coaching staff) is on you more than in high school. It's tough. It'll test you sometime."
Devine said a big test came over the summer when he and his teammates went through a two-week training camp that had them working out, practicing and learning the offense through 131/2 hour days.
"We push the guys pretty hard," Rodriguez said. "It's pretty intense. (Devine's) work ethic is outstanding, which goes to be expected."
Rodriguez described Devine as quiet and said he is fitting nicely into the program.
"He's doing well," Rodriguez said. "Like with any true freshman, there's a learning curve that takes a while to learn, but I've been really pleased."
Devine said learning a new offense and new terminology was a bit daunting at first, but said he feels he's starting to get a firm grasp on it.
He also said he's getting a firm grasp on college life.
"Everyone seems so supportive, positive," Devine said. "I'm starting a new life up here. I have a different reputation up here."
When asked if he missed Southwest Florida, Devine quickly answered "no."
"That place was holding me down," he said.
Devine said he remembers those who doubted he would pass the ACT, those who doubted he would graduate high school, and those who doubted he would go on to college. He said that sometimes works as inspiration for him.
Despite all that, Devine said he can't wait to return.
But not to hang out. He said he misses his two children terribly and can't wait to see them again.
"I'm going to see if I can't get down there during the (University of South Florida) week," Devine said.
WVU travels to USF on Sept. 28. The game is slotted to be broadcast on ESPN2.
Devine said since arriving at WVU, he has had no free time, which he said has required some adjustment on his part.
"It's full-time football," Devine said.
When asked how WVU's recent dubious honor of being crowned the No. 1 party school in the nation would affect him, he said it wouldn't.
"I went to school to play football," he said, "You have to follow the rules and stay focused."
Devine said he and his teammates have an 11 p.m. curfew.
"It helps keep you out of trouble," he said.
Devine, who has yet to declare a major, said he is taking 17 credit hours. That is six more than required to be considered a full-time student.
Over the past few years, it has been common for Devine to cut interviews short, as he did with The News-Press on Monday.
However, the reason he gave for his departure was one he had never used in the past.
"I have to go now," he said. "I have to go study."
While Devine's playing time might be limited this season, Rodriguez has high hopes for the 5-foot-8-inch, 170-pound speedster.
"I think he'll have an outstanding career," he said. "He has great quickness, good ball skills, he's eager to learn, which is what you hope you get when you recruit. He's like a sponge. You can tell he loves football."
Devine said when he arrived in Morgantown this summer, he told his coaches he didn't want any special treatment.
In talking to Devine and Rodriguez, it doesn't seem like he's getting any.
"I'm just trying to do what I can do and not get yelled at," Devine said. "(The coaching staff) is on you more than in high school. It's tough. It'll test you sometime."
Devine said a big test came over the summer when he and his teammates went through a two-week training camp that had them working out, practicing and learning the offense through 131/2 hour days.
"We push the guys pretty hard," Rodriguez said. "It's pretty intense. (Devine's) work ethic is outstanding, which goes to be expected."
Rodriguez described Devine as quiet and said he is fitting nicely into the program.
"He's doing well," Rodriguez said. "Like with any true freshman, there's a learning curve that takes a while to learn, but I've been really pleased."
Devine said learning a new offense and new terminology was a bit daunting at first, but said he feels he's starting to get a firm grasp on it.
He also said he's getting a firm grasp on college life.
"Everyone seems so supportive, positive," Devine said. "I'm starting a new life up here. I have a different reputation up here."
When asked if he missed Southwest Florida, Devine quickly answered "no."
"That place was holding me down," he said.
Devine said he remembers those who doubted he would pass the ACT, those who doubted he would graduate high school, and those who doubted he would go on to college. He said that sometimes works as inspiration for him.
Despite all that, Devine said he can't wait to return.
But not to hang out. He said he misses his two children terribly and can't wait to see them again.
"I'm going to see if I can't get down there during the (University of South Florida) week," Devine said.
WVU travels to USF on Sept. 28. The game is slotted to be broadcast on ESPN2.
Devine said since arriving at WVU, he has had no free time, which he said has required some adjustment on his part.
"It's full-time football," Devine said.
When asked how WVU's recent dubious honor of being crowned the No. 1 party school in the nation would affect him, he said it wouldn't.
"I went to school to play football," he said, "You have to follow the rules and stay focused."
Devine said he and his teammates have an 11 p.m. curfew.
"It helps keep you out of trouble," he said.
Devine, who has yet to declare a major, said he is taking 17 credit hours. That is six more than required to be considered a full-time student.
Over the past few years, it has been common for Devine to cut interviews short, as he did with The News-Press on Monday.
However, the reason he gave for his departure was one he had never used in the past.
"I have to go now," he said. "I have to go study."
www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070830/SPORTS/708300404/1010
