White named to Camp watch list

By Mickey Furfari

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University football notebook:

Preseason honors continue to roll in for Patrick White, the Mountaineers’ veteran quarterback and Heisman Trophy hopeful.

The 6-foot-1, 192-pound senior from Daphne, Ala., is among 35 “players to watch” for the prestigious Walter Camp Football Foundation’s Player of the Year Award. It is the fourth-oldest individual college football accolade.

Last year’s winner was Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, now a rookie with the Oakland Raiders.

Besides White, three other standouts from the Big East are on the watch list. They are running back LeSean McCoy and linebacker Scott McKillop, both of Pitt, and South Florida defensive end George Selvie.

Auburn is the only other WVU opponent with a representative. He is defensive tackle Se’Derrick Marks.

The Walter Camp watch list will be trimmed to 15 semifinalists in early November. The 2008 Player of the Year winner will be announced on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December.

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Will Johnson, the probable WVU starter at the three-position call on offense, said it was hard at first to learn all that one needs to know to play fullback, tight end and even H-back.

“Coach Doc Holliday just told me to learn the playbook, practice the right techniques, and try not to make mistakes,” said the 6-2, 217-pound sophomore from Centerville, Ohio. “That’s my biggest concern right now.,”

Of the three spots he has learned, Johnson said he doesn’t like one better than another. “I want to be able to play more than one position, so I like them all,” he reasoned. “I just enjoy making plays.

“At first it was hard to get used to and somewhat confusing, but not anymore. I’ve missed some work (with minor injury) but I’m back out there now.”

Johnson likely will be backed up by Tyler Urban, a 6-2, 240-pound true freshman from North Huntingdon, Pa.

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Senior Mortty Ivy thinks accolades from coach Jeff Casteel simply push all of the linebackers to become even better.

“We want to be the heart and soul of this team, especially the defense,” the 6-3, 236-pound two-year starter from Monroeville, Pa., said. “We’ve got a lot of speed over there. We veterans try to help the younger LBs improve each day.”

Ivy also enjoys playing on some of the special teams. He admittedly tries to make every snap as though it would be his last. “That’s the only way you’re going to get better,” he said.

He was the second-leading tackler last season with 89, including 48 solo stops which tied for the team’s best.

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The Mountaineers practiced under the lights Monday night for the first time. With the WVU fall semester now under way, they spent the day checking into classes along with other WVU students..

Specific preparations for the Aug. 30 season’s opener with Villanova at home are planned the rest of this week, with the work tapering off next week.

The coaches generally are pleased with what was accomplished during the two full weeks of camp practice sessions.