Today brings the second installment in the MetroNews countdown of the 10 Most Pivotal Mountaineers for the 2015 football season. These aren’t necessarily West Virginia’s “best” 10, or the ones appearing on those bloated preseason watch lists. But they’re the players whose production will hold answers to the biggest preseason questions.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Marquis Lucas is digging into this leadership business on a couple of fronts.
As the only senior on West Virginia’s offensive line, he’s casting a lead-by-example vibe. As the new father of a baby boy back in Miami, Lucas suddenly possesses broader perspective than he could have imagined.
He senses the internal change—more commitment, more determination—and it shows outwardly to his coaches.
“I miss my little guy every single day,” he said. “Everything I do right now to get ready for this year, I have to do it 100 percent because I know my little boy is counting on me.”
West Virginia’s offensive line, merely adequate last season, needs a new general after the graduations of Quinton Spain and third-round NFL pick Mark Glowinski.
With summer workouts going full throttle, Lucas aspires to fill the seniority vacuum.
“I feel different. With Mark and Spain gone now, I’m the older guy,” Lucas said. “When we’re in a tough situation, guys are going to look at me for guidance, and I have to be that guy that helps them get through it like they did for me.”