Mike Asti’s WVU Football Camp Takeaways: An Increased Intensity in Shells

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Now three days into WVU football camp, the Mountaineers are practicing in shells. While not fully padded up yet, Rich Rodriguez seems to be more pleased with his team after seeing them with some gear and not just running around in shorts.

Being out there with some padding on appeared to elicit an increased intensity, especially compared to the rough prior practice that caused Rodriguez to voice his displeasure.

With Rodriguez set to talk to the media after practice most days, I will regularly offer a bulleted synopsis of what he says or what I saw on the practice field, often times adding what it all means for the team.

Takeaways from the first fall camp practice open to the media:  

• Rodriguez was in a much better mood, especially compared to the day before.
• The offense focused more on short yardage plays.
• Quarterback Jaylen Henderson looks more comfortable and he also looks slimmer. I don’t know if he has cut weight or not, but he looks in better shape than in the spring to the eye.
• The quarterbacks are still sharing an equal number of reps.
• One of the field goal attempts looked to be blocked.
• A running back was reprimanded for rolling his jersey up and told to unfold it all the way. “We don’t do that around here.”
• WVU defensive coordinator Zac Alley acted as a mobile quarterback in defensive drills.
• Defensively, they are doing what’s called “thudding” instead of tackling early in camp.
• The team appears to be close group.

Below is a WV Sports Now video from the open practice.

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For a related story, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti offered his instant takeaways from the first day of fall camp.