Neal Brown Sees O-Line Come Together, Shifts All-Conference Performer

Morgantown, WV – In Neal Brown’s press conference Wednesday afternoon, he stated that the offensive line was coming along and that the coaching staff feels good about four of the five players who had been receiving first-team reps.

For the first time in his career collegiate career, Second Team All-Big 12 guard and Outland Trophy watchlist member Josh Sills received reps at center today after projected starting center Chase Behrndt didn’t have a good showing in Saturday’s scrimmage.

“I had Chase at center at the beginning of camp, (he) kinda went into a slump there with the scrimmage,” stated offensive line coach Matt Moore. “We had too many high snaps with the slump, so we pulled him out, moved Sills over.”

Sills has been a major part of the WVU offensive line for the last two years and, along with Colten McKivitz, is expected to anchor a line with three new starters this season.

With the transfer of Matt Jones and the medical retirement of Jacob Buccigrossi, WVU’s center depth was decimated. Behrndt played both guard and tackle last season and has worked with the first team at center since the spring.

Moore also mentioned that Sills’ athleticism is key to his ability at center, saying, “The more athletic guy you’ve got up there, the easier it is to snap. He’s done a really good job, he’s been there the last three practices, I believe, at center making all the calls.”

If Sills moves from guard to center permanently, Behrndt will likely have a chance to fill that last guard spot.

“He actually had his best practice today that he’s had all fall camp, at left guard,” explained Moore

Matt Moore also pointed to JUCO transfer John Hughes, who had been working at tackle, as an option to fill that position at guard. Both have impressed at that position in the last few days while Moore praised Sills for his quick adjustment to center. Walk-on Adam Stilley is considered the backup center and Moore stated he would trust Stilley to fill in as he has received reps with the first team this week as well.

Stay tuned to WV Sports Now for the best coverage of WVU athletics and much more.