MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — It’s been a mixed bag for sophomore Dylan Tonkery in the two games since necessity forced him to become West Virginia’s middle linebacker in 2018.
Against Tennessee, Tonkery made the WVU coaching staff look ingenious for deciding to move him from the outside this spring. He was everywhere against the Vols, finishing with eight tackles, including two solos and 1.5 tackles for loss.
That level of production dropped off considerably against Youngstown State, when Tonkery didn’t have a single stop. The only evidence he was on the field was a pass breakup.
“I was kind of disappointed in his game Saturday night,” WVU defensive coordinator Tony Gibson noted bluntly. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a middle linebacker not have a tackle.”
That’s not to say Tonkery made no contribution. There were multiple plays where he held his assignment and forced the ballcarrier into the arms of another tackler, but Gibson wants the cornerstone player of the defense to finish more plays.
“He knocks the ball out a lot to David (Long) and to JoVanni (Stewart) and to our safeties,” Gibson said. “But he has to start being more productive.”
In Tonkery’s defense, a lot of what Youngstown State did offensively consisted of attacking in places where Tonkery wasn’t present.
“We played a lot of base,” Gibson said. “And their run schemes against us were about targeting certain parts of our defense where they wanted to go with the ball.”
That said, film review indicated there were a couple of plays Tonkery could have made that he didn’t. Gibson wants to make sure Tonkery cleans up whatever chances he gets.
“I’m not concerned, but he missed a couple of tackles that hurt us Saturday night, that he needs to make,” Gibson said. “He has to get better with that.”
He has faith the Bridgeport High graduate will be up to the task. He’ll just have to wait an extra week to put it into action against Kansas State’s power offense.