The Bottom Line
By Bill Nestor
Sports Editor
Now that the dust has settled from the NFL Draft a clean look at West Virginia Mountaineer Head Coach Dana Holgorsen shows a grin from ear to ear or at least it should as “his” program was well represented this past week.
The number could have increased, if not for injury, as former signal-caller Clint Trickett retired from the game prior to the end of the season. Trickett’s two top receivers were both picked with seven being the key number.
Kevin White was taken in the seventh selection by the Chicago Bears. White started the year with seven straight 100 yards (or more) receiving, which was a school record. Several draft experts tagged White as the top receiver.
Wide out, Mario Alford was nabbed in the seventh round by the Cincinnati Bengals. Alford spent most of last season flying under the radar in White’s shadow but his numbers and more importantly his physical abilities caught the eye of Bengal coach Marvin Lewis. Alford was just 55 yards shy of 1,000 and his 11 touchdown receptions were tops on the team.
Offensive guard, Mark Glowinski was a fourth round selection of the Seattle Seahawks. Glowinski is the second Mountaineer taken by Pete Carroll in the top five rounds of the draft. Carroll took Bruce Irvin as the 15th pick in 2012.
Glowinski, a 6’4” 305lbs has shown his versatility by moving from tackle to right guard prior to the start of last season. He was also durable, leading the Mounties in snaps played, a year ago.
Defensive end, Shaq Riddick was reeled in by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round. Riddick played at 245 lbs. while in Morgantown but has since put on some additional poundage to better assume the pounding of play at the next level. The Cards are planning on using him more as a speed rusher from the outside linebacker spot.
A pair of undrafted hopefuls, Dreamius Smith and Quinton Spain look to further their careers after signing with teams shortly after the draft. The San Diego Chargers inked Smith, a running back, while the Tennessee Titans locked up Spain. Both players signed free agent contracts.
All of this action is great news for Holgorsen because it brings national attention to his program. It also helps to keep the big time donors hands in their pockets while providing a vote of confidence to the headman and his staff.
Recruiting is where the largest impact will be felt. The ultimate goal of every big time player is to make it to the pros. Holgorsen can sell his players’ most recent success to potential Mountaineers in hopes of winning some of these recruiting battles.
Holgorsen, prior to taking his current gig in “Touchdown City”, was regarded as one of the top offensive coordinators in the business.
However, current recruits are more concerned with what is trending today and several of them have seen some of the lofty numbers put up by the offensive unit. The icing on the cake is when they move through the program and on to the professional ranks.
That will do it for now. Until next time…take care and God bless!
