WVU -Football Put Premium for Pass Rushing | News, sports, jobs

The UTSA linacker Jimmori Robinson (40) celebrates a defensive stop that in the first half of a NCAA college football game against Tulane in New Orleans, Friday, November 24, 2023, forced a fourth case (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

When many think of the football coach of West Virginia University Rich Rodriguez, think of a crime and reason for a good reason. Rodriguez, one of the Spread option, has used one of the most explosive offensive plans for decades.

Nevertheless, the offensive is not the only thing Rodriguez's head enters as just in his second stay as a mountain football coach. The quarterback is another important part of it. Therefore, an effective Pass -Rushing is one of the areas where Rodriguez wants to build during the spring training season.

“If you start evaluating a program, you must have quarterback, throwing and throwing recipients, can lead the routes and catch,” he said. “But you also have to rush the passers -by.

“You look at how boys are paid in the NFL, the quarterback will get 15 to 18% of the salary limit and then you will probably go after a left tackle or a pass -rusher,” he added.

Pass rushing is a category in which the mountaineers could definitely improve. The WVU took the 12th place in the 16-team Big 12 and in the Football Bowl subordination with only 20 bags, which were recorded in 2024. Of these 20, 6 ½, 12 First Team Defensive Lineman Tj Jackson, who graduated. No other player recorded more than 3½ last season.

“I think we had to address this when recruiting,” said Rodriguez. “I think we did it.”

At Edge Rusher, the WVU gave immediate help, starting with Utsa Transfer Jimmori Robinson, the defensive player of the American Athletic Conference of the year last season, which was nationwide with 10 ½ sacks. The mountaineers also pulled the Wyoming transfer edge Braden Siders and dived in the Junior College pool for a trio from Pass -rushers -Marshawn Oxley des Hutchinson Community College, Adam Tomczyk, and the Keenan corner of the Citrus College, the No. 2 Juco Edge from 247sports.com.

This should make the mountaineers on their way to a better QB print, but Rodriguez reminded everyone that the players are still in T-shirts and shorts.

“We didn't have any exercise in pads yet,” he said. “So stay tuned.”

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While some trainer strategies are to put the top players in the squad in special teams, Rodriguez traces a different philosophy. He likes to place his backups to the special team chart.

“First, they are fresher,” said the trainer. “But too, you know, you may be a little more proud of it.”

He is not entirely averse to swallowing in special teams in the starters. A dynamic athlete that begins with receiver or defensive back could be the Punt -Returner or Kick returnee of the team. For the most part, however, the second stringers move into the first line in special teams for Rodriguez.

“Usually I get people who may be in a rotation, maybe a backup in one position, but they will be great special team players.”

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Rodriguez said he loves the new technology that is available today, and above are the GPS vests that play the players to measure both their speed and the distance they run.

“The GPS thing was great,” he said. “I think it is mostly exactly. I don't know how exactly the speed of it is, but the best thing I can get from is the meter that you run. “

He said that the position of the players will mostly run about 6,000 meters in training while Linemen will run about 5,000 meters.

Well, with one exception.

“The Linemen got every 5,000 meters and we had a Lineman that received 8,500 meters,” said Rodriguez with a laugh. “Has he stopped the vest when he drove home or something?”