Today’s video brings another 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. — When Nick Kwiatkoski appeared on the preseason All-Big 12 defense this week, it was a nod to the 189 tackles he made the previous two seasons.
Yet as a guy who’s switching positions, moving from the inside linebacker to outside Will, his tackle totals are expected to drop this season. Not his impact, however.
Working off the edge should give Kwiatkoski better angles for drive-stopping plays in the backfield. The former high school safety still has the athleticism to tackle and cover in space, and even though he’ll likely cede his team tackling title to middle linebacker Jared Barber or walk-down safety Karl Joseph, Kwiatkoski is focused on having his best season yet.
“Playing outside isn’t that much different from where I was,” he said. “It really doesn’t matter. I’ll play wherever.”
Previous videos in the countdown: