10:06am: Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval

No. 2 on list of Most Pivotal Players for WVU in 2014

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With summer workouts in full-sweat and the start of West Virginia preseason camp less than a month away, MetroNews continues counting down our Top 10 Most Pivotal Players for the 2014 season. Today we highlight a budding star in the secondary:

No. 2 DARYL WORLEY
Position: Cornerback
Class: Sophomore
Measurables: 6-1, 200

While encouraging signs were scarce for West Virginia’s 106th-ranked pass defense last season, the raves poured in for Worley. The most physically mature member of the freshman class played safety and nickel back before settling at corner, the spot he’ll occupy full-time in 2014.

Through 11 games and five starts, Worley tied for the seventh on the squad with 45 tackles and ranked second with five pass breakups. His first-half interception at Baylor was the only pick Bryce Petty through during the season’s first 10 games. (During the one game Worley sat out with a shin injury, West Virginia allowed Kansas State to complete 18-of-21 passes.)

Worley has clicked with cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell since his senior year at William Penn Charter in Philadelphia, when the assistant came to watch him run the 100-meter hurdles and re-solidified the scholarship offer initially extended by Jake Spavital. Another boon to their teacher-pupil relationship: Mitchell has transitioned his corners from the shuffle method to a backpedal technique Worley played in high school.

Continued development from Worley is crucial in allowing West Virginia to play more man coverage. And with Big 12 quarterbacking projected to be more settled in 2014, playing pass defense isn’t going to get any easier.





More WVU Sports

Sports
Greene strives for improved accuracy through extra emphasis on fundamentals, mechanics
West Virginia quarterback Garett Greene felt he could've gotten more out of the 2023 season, and his completion percentage is a major reason why.
March 27, 2024 - 7:58 pm
Sports
Photo gallery: Mountaineers conduct second practice of spring football
West Virginia was outside Wednesday morning for its second practice during the first week of spring football.
March 27, 2024 - 2:54 pm
Sports
DeVries starts with $2.8 million salary over five-year deal
Compensation for new WVU men's basketball coach increases $100,000 on annual basis.
March 27, 2024 - 1:41 pm
Sports
Jamison steals home, sparks Mountaineers in 6-2 win against Akron
West Virginia claims third straight win, improves to 15-10.
March 27, 2024 - 12:31 am


Your Comments