Few Mountaineers Expect Draft Day Calls
Offensive Lineman Gilliam May Be The Exception
By Mike Casazza

Over the past three years, West Virginia University has had more players in preseason NFL camps than any other college, with the exception of Florida. The heroes made on Saturday afternoons at Mountaineer Field have been given the chance to produce on Sundays, though the results have been mixed.

The trend of drafted Mountaineers may slow this season. There is no Charles Fisher to bolster a thin secondary. No Amos Zereoue leaving early with all his records and excitement. No Jerry Porter and his freakish combine performances. Instead, WVU will offer the NFL a handful of young men who grew and matured into dependable players under former head coach Don Nehlen.

There probably isn't a first or second round draft pick in Morgantown, meaning Day One of the draft will be slow. But the later rounds and free agency may offer opportunities to a few Mountaineers.

Rich Gilliam, the massive offensive lineman who was a finalist for the Outland Award this year, could be the first to go. Gilliam is mobile for his size and can play a few positions along the offensive line. As a center, Gilliam anchored the strength of WVU's team last season. Linemates Tanner Russell and Terry Dixon are both big enough to warrant consideration and can play their tackle positions well. Russell was a co-captain last year and overcame a shoulder injury that slowed him the year before to have a productive season. Dixon was a two-year starter. Aside from nagging injuries, Dixon had his share of problems on field, particularly with false starts.

One of the intriguing players for WVU is 290-pound fullback Wes Ours. A converted offensive lineman, Ours became a fan favorite as he bulldozed his way for first downs and touchdowns. The weight may be an issue, as there aren't many 290-pound fullbacks in the league, but Ours is very agile and runs the 40 in 4.8 seconds. Any questions about his athleticism can be answered by his 40-yard touchdown reception, capped by a dive over the pylon, in the Music City Bowl. Ours caught 14 passes for 170 yards and two scores last season. He had four rushing touchdowns as well and is tough to stop in short yardage or goal line situations.

Another offensive threat the Mountaineers had last season was receiver Khori Ivy. Consistent, Ivy set the school record for consecutive games with a reception at 40 straight. A second-team All-Big East pick this year, Ivy caught 47 balls for 806 yards and seven scores. He is not considered a big play threat, yet had three receptions of 45 yards or more this year. Ivy is known for precise routes and sure hands moreso than his speed.

West Virginia was pretty young on defense last season. Linebackers Chris Edmonds and David Carter were the lone seniors to start. Edmonds could get the most attention of all the potential draftees. His numbers have slipped, from 66 tackles as a sophomore to 49 this past season, but much of that has to do with a position change.

Edmonds moved to "rush" linebacker, which in the Nehlen-style WVU system was essentially a defensive end commissioned to rush the quarterback all the time. Edmonds does that quite well and leaves WVU with 12 career sacks, including four last year. Edmonds received a double-team often at the line, but got the job done. It's also hard to ignore eight career interceptions, four of which came last season. That's a high number for a linebacker who specializes in pass rush.

Edmonds was one of the players NFL teams came to look at March 14 at Mountaineer Field. He has been working out twice a day as he attempts to get drafted.

Carter waited three seasons for an opportunity to start and took advantage with 53 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery. He was a leader and was responsible for the "Shock the Nation" rally cry that surrounded the team last year.

Since 1995, 18 Mountaineers have found their way into the NFL, including eight draft picks in the last two years. Tight end Anthony Becht was a surprising first round pick last year and Porter used eye-popping combines to elevate himself to a second round selection. West Virginia has established a reputation on draft day, one that just might land a few from the Class of 2001 in the spotlight on Sundays.