Published: June 14, 2008 11:45 pm         

WVU's Starks settling in as wide receiver

MORGANTOWN — Bradley Starks is happily settled in as a wide receiver on West Virginia University’s football squad after having switched from quarterback this spring.

The 6-4, 190-pound redshirt freshman from Unionville, Fla., will continue to take some snaps with the quarterbacks when fall camp opens in August. But basically, he’s set to compete for a starting job as a pass-catcher.

Coach Bill Stewart wants him to keep up on what he learned in quarterback meetings just in case there’s a need for him because of injury to others. Patrick White and Jarrett Brown remain the top two signal-callers.

“You might say I have the best of both worlds,” Starks said last week before working out. “This is a big opportunity for me. They want me out there because they feel I could be helpful on the field.

“I want to help this team in any way possible. I think having played quarterback gives me an advantage at wide receiver. I am able to see defenses even before they try to disguise what they’re doing.”

Having observed defensive backs in pass coverages from a quarterback’s view, he knows the various techniques DBs use in trying for interceptions or to bat down passes. Starks favors no pattern over another.

“I like all of them,” he said. “I like running the routes. They’re fun to run. There’s a lot more movement on offense now. I think that’s going to help a lot because you don’t know where it’s coming from.

“It depends on how we line up and what direction of motion we go into and what we motion out of. It’s going to be good. I’m looking forward to the season coming up.”

To get bigger and stronger, Starks said he’s eating six times a day. In addition to three regular meals, he eats snacks in between. Steaks and mashed potatoes are part of his diet, of course.

He believes putting on more pounds will help him block better in running pass routes. He also wants to become more physical. He loves to get out there and make plays.

Starks likes the new schemes offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen has added since joining Stewart’s staff in January.

“He will mix the new stuff with some old, and we’ll have six or seven different formations,” he explained.

“You’re not just going to get one look. I’ve learned pretty much all of the offense. I know it well. It’s an easy offense to pick up. Once you learn it, you can’t lose it. The new schemes coach Mullen brought in make the offense fun to be around.”

Starks said a wide receiver needs to earn the trust of the quarterback.

“He’s got to know he can count on you as a receiver,” he explained. “Any time he needs me for a big play, he could throw me the ball and feel certain I’ll catch it.”

He caught three passes for 41 yards, including a four-yard touchdown toss from White, in the spring’s Gold-Blue intrasquad scrimmage.