There is a catch-22 to covering the WVU football team during the summer. The positive, besides the obvious fact of getting to cover the team, is that you are able to get access to the players and not only get to cover them journalistically, but you begin to develop a relationship with the players that allows you to eventually cover them more extensively.. The negative? Limited access to the younger players.

The incoming freshman aren't allowed to talk to the media until WVU actually begins its sanctioned practices in early August. It's completely understandable to not shock the new players with a media swarm and have them freeze up when interviewed. The older players remember how it was for them when they were freshman and tend to speak openly about the talent level of their new football brethren. Until August, we must rely on what other players are telling us about the talent that WVU has brought in to further its football success.

So far, it's been nothing but great things said about the new Mountaineers.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Mountaineers are welcoming in a wealth of talent that they are hoping could impact then immediately. With Jarrett Brown leaving, the Mountaineers were left with only Geno Smith and Coley White at the quarterback position. Coach Bill Stewart went out and recruited two highly sought after quarterbacks to fill in the empty slots, but also to provide competition.

Barry Brunetti is a 6' quarterback from Memphis University School in Tennessee who was widely considered one of the best quarterback prospects in the country. According to scouts, Brunetti has a great touch on the deep ball and can roll out and throw as well. Jeremy Johnson, from Silsbee, Texas, was an early commit to the Mountaineers, showing his interest last Memorial Day and eventually signing with WVU.. Johnson is the prototypical dual-threat quarterback, possessing both speed and arm strength.

The two new quarterbacks have settled nicely in Morgantown and have already impressed teammates with their talent. Geno Smith says that all of the quarterbacks are helping each other out and just because he is the man with the most experience under center, it doesn't mean he has tried to bring everyone under his wing to learn from him.

"Taking them under my wing is probably an overstatement. Those guys push me as much as I push them," Smith said with a smile. "We're all young in this thing and we're all just learning and trying to grow together. We've really bonded well, you know me, Jerry, Coley, and Barry, we've really bonded as a group and it's really rubbing off on the team."
 

A very intriguing characteristic of this group of quarterbacks is how none of them really have the same playing style. Smith, despite his speed and agility, is a pocket passer who runs only when things break down. Coley White is very much a running quarterback. Brunetti is a run and gun QB who thrives in the shotgun and spread formation, while Johnson is a blend of styles, being able to take off and run if necessary or fire a rocket down field. Smith says he feels that everyone having different traits as a quarterback leads to a very advantageous situation.

"I think it's very beneficial because no matter who steps on the field, we'll always have an opportunity to win because we're all dynamic in our own ways," Smith explained.

The only action the QB's are seeing on the field so far is in 7-on-7 drills the team is participating in. Smith says that not only are the players showcasing their talent, they are also showing who is there to get better.

"7-on-7's have been going really good. We've had a lot of competition between the offense and defense and it's something we'll look forward to going into summer camp. The competition has been great as well as getting the timing down. The young guys are out there flying around and we get to see the guys who are really here to work and dedicated to the program," Smith said.

One of those young guys who has been flying around and gaining a reputation as a play-maker is a former teammate of Smith's. Ivan McCartney, the 6'1 wide receiver from Miramar, has been living up to the hype, according to teammates. McCartney was recruited for his incredible route-running ability and quick burst in and out of cuts and players have talked about him torching the secondary so far in drills. Robert Sands, the free safety who prides himself on not getting beaten, says that McCartney has been impressive so far.

“I don’t know about him beating the defense like that now, but like I said, he’s a heck of a player. He made some tough catches in double coverage," the hard hitting Sands said. "He did pretty good, but that was against the freshmen as well, so we want to point that out. Make sure you all know that was against the freshmen, not against the first-teamers. Not to take anything away from him, he’s still a wonderful talent.”

Sands says a fellow safety is another player showing his impressive talent as a freshman. Travis Bell was recruited out of Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida and is listed as a safety, but could play some corner back as well because of his 6'1 frame. Sands says he is performing well so far in the 7-on-7 drills.

“Travis has a swagger about himself. He’s pretty confident in his talent, which he should be," Sands said. "He was a good player coming out of high school and he’s just going out there in 7-on-7s and showing it on the field.”

While it may be a while before we find out how things are going from the players firsthand, they are already making their mark on the program by being talented enough to impress their fellow teammates.