WVU's HB Steve Slayton may be the best running back on the East Coast. He was an absolute monster in the first half tonight, racking up 150+ yards and 3 TDs by halftime, several of them of the WOW variety--slicing and dicing through a Maryland defense that looked like it was playing in slow motion by comparison. He and QB Pat White (another RB, in essence) constantly took off for huge gainers throughout this laugher.

This game was nowhere near as close even as the final score. It was 28-0 before Maryland QB Sam Hollenbach got the Terps on the board. Highly regarded man-child RS soph OT Jared Gaither (6'9", 350) was under my microscope in this one, but he was banged up and then reinjured something in the 4th quarter, and never really got it going.

SCOUTING SUMMARY:

College: West Virginia Conference: Big East Columnist: Steve Martin
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Jay Henry 42 6' 1.5" 225 4.73 LB 2007: Not around the ball as much tonight as usual, as it seemed he was constantly dropped into coverage, and Maryland was not that effective passing up the middle (and maybe that was why) as they were--nominally at least--to the edges. had a few tackles and an early pick of a batted ball. Grade: Neutral

Dan Mozes 76 6' 3.0" 295 5.10 C 2007: Just continues to get the job done. Is so solid in all phases of the game, and plays as fresh in the 60th minute as he does in the 1st. Much of Slaton's yardage came up the middle. Grade: Positive

Kevin McLee 43 6' 0.5" 255 4.60 LB 2007: Does not look like a heavy LB. Very agile in coverage, or getting to the edge to disrupt the wide running play. The WVU DBs were the defensive stars in this one, because after WVU built the 28-0 lead, Maryland had to throw most of the time, but Boo McLee was still in on a bevy of tackles. Grade: Positive


Eric Wicks 41 6' 0.5" 210 0.00 S 2007: Very active tonight, along with the entire WVU secondary. Got things done on the blitz and in pass defense. Wrestles bigger people down nicely. Tough. Need to see him run...Grade: Slightly positive

Jeremy Sheffey 65 6' 2.0" 290 0.00 OG 2007: Is always out on the second level. Never on the ground, but when it does happen he pops right up and hits somebody else. Always hunting somebody up. Drives people a country mile when he locks on. Need to see more of him in pass pro to see if he is as good at that as he is in the Mountaineer's 80%-run-the-ball offense. Grade: Positive.

Brandon Myles 7 6' 2.0" 190 4.37 WR 2007: Only had one catch that I remember. They didn't need to go higher risk verticle in this one though, and that is Brandon's game. Grade: Neutral

Owen Schmitt 6' 1.0" 250 4.60 FB 2008: A real throw back. One of my favorite players to watch in the country. Won't come out, and so I am not sure why I am even talking about him yet, but he is a tank in the running game. Drove the pile two yards LITERALLY with three people on his back in one kill-the-clock play in the 4th quarter. Had about 50+ yards on about 8 carries. Does he have hands? In this offense, we may never know...Grade: Slightly positive

College: Maryland Conference: Atlantic Coast Columnist: Bill Gahagan
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes

Sam Hollenbach 14 6' 4.0" 214 5.00 QB 2007: You know, he did OK. He didn't get overly rattled during the early meltdown and made some pretty nice throws. Didn't show enough "step up and take it" against the rush though, and does not appear to have any special features that would translate to more than a clipboard holder's job (if he is lucky) at the next level. Kept staring down Isaiah Williams in the endzone, and never completed one to him there except for one freak tip that ended up in his hands late. Has some moxie, but doesn't really have big league skills. Grade: Neutral

Stephon Heyer 70 6' 6.0" 320 0.00 OT 2007: Definitely a better PP than Gaither at this point. Nice, nice footwork, big enough body. Drives OK in the run game. Looks very solid technique-wise in pass pro. Slides his feet well. Punches enough, but not too much, recoils well. Good enough feet to be tried first at LOT. Grade: Slightly positive

Jared Gaither 78 6' 9.0" 350 0.00 OT 2009: A massive tank who has to lock onto you to kill you, but when he does, he will. Feet look sluggish. Tries hard in pass pro, but lunges and misses way too much. Does not make enough contact in the running game either. Came in wearing braces all over both legs, and went out with an injury in the 4th quarter. Bends at the waist, but extends his hands too far instead of getting his body where it needs to be. Gives good effort, but has a LOT to learn. Just a RS Soph though...Coming out of the first round in the top 100 for sure....for now...Grade: Slightly negative.

Note: WVU Corner #6 Antonio Lewis was the best defender on the field tonight. Pat White may be an RB at the next level. Slaton had the revenge factor going tonight because Maryland took back a scholarship offer before he landed at WVU.

Steve,

Good write ups and I agree for the most part with all of your assessments. Here's my thoughts:


MARYLAND

Hollenbach - Gustsy, on target even when getting hit - which happened too often, questionable decisions on forcing balls late into the middle of the D

Heyer - MD's best OL at this point, will have to be a G at the next level, moves decent in pass pro and does get some push when he has to

Gaither - Watched him a lot due to the buzz, but did not start. A product of hype over performance right now due to his MASSIVE size, maybe limited by leg injuries, but he looked sluggish out of his stance and getting going, painful to watch in space and will have to move inside at the next level, lets faster and smaller guys get under his pads or across his face and seems to absorb more than attack; often plays with too narrow a base for his size. With all that said, when he gets hold of his assignment - they're finished for that play period. He engulfs defenders and if he can improve his technique and become more consistent, he will play in the NFL. He should not come out his year and needs more time to learn and develop.


WEST VIRGINIA

Henry - Made some plays and I think had a pick, but despite great smarts on the field, just isn't quick or fast enough to be more than a camp guy.

Mozes - Moves extremely well and does his assignment consistently. Not great size, so probably best in a zone block system

McLee- the best defensive player on the field. Not great speed, but always seems to be around the ball and involved in turnovers.

Jeremy Sheffey - This year's Will Montgomery. A little undersized like Mozes, but moves as well, maybe better. Was a personal protector on roll outs, gets to the 2nd level A LOT and sometimes takes 2 guys on plays, whenever he gets to the ground is up and moving again fast, Will play too high on occassion but has good tech most of the time, he's a zone block system guy as a OG / OC at the next level.

Myles - Was he on the field?

Schmitt - May be my favorite player to watch. A throwback who clearly loves delivering a hit. Decent hands on a tough low thrown ball by QB that he recovered and made a nice gain in the flat. Wouldn't want to try to bring him down. Don't know if he's truly a 4.6 guy, but if so could be the next Alstott, but better.

I only watched about 15-20 minutes of this game before plugging in the Georgia-South Carolina game for review. But I paid special attention to Jared Gaither and he looked bad. I do hope that it is just the result of the injuries and that he will get better. I really think he needs a LOT more experience before he can think about coming out.

Glad we all saw the same things vv. Gaither and Heyer.

Gaither has been dropped to #58 from #25.

Anybody thing Heyer should be on the top 100, instead of Matt Muncy, for example?

No report on Josh Wilson?

That's disappointing, he's going to be a solid first day prospect...you watch.

Anybody else feel that way?

We are always open to reassessment.

I'd suggest watching his performance vs. Clemson last week, if possible.

Hee's short, but it won't hinder him as much as it would others since he's extremely physical. A great tackler and probably one of the best CBs in run support. Doesn't make a ton of big plays, but he's very solid in coverage due to his rumored 4.35 speed and smarts. I checked out a Maryland messageboard and they call him the MVP of the team...

Ah yes, I forgot, he's also one of the best KRs in college football. If he does run around a 4.40, I like him in the 2nd.

Yeah, Steve... Josh Wilson is getting a lot of press lately. I haven't watched Maryland enough to take note of him, but he's probably worth a look.

Where is Nyyjones? What do you think, Mark?

Hey Steve... I was talking to someone today who goes to the U of Maryland and they mentioned that Josh Wilson is a sprinter on the Maryland track team and that he ran a 4.28 in spring agility drills for the football team. I don't know if he's exaggerating, but the team website verifies the fact that he is a track star and that he ran a blazing 40 this past spring...?

I am not doubting. I am just saying he hasn't leaped out at me as a football player. Also, we need to hear from the conference writer who has apparently gone AWOL.