With fall camp well underway for the West Virginia Mountaineers, it's time to start paying attention to the buzz coming out of Morgantown. And while there's still a few weeks of practice left before the Mountaineers take the field for the season opener against Coastal Carolina, there are some players who are starting to get some buzz due to their performances in camp.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Mountaineers welcomeda rising star at defensive coordinatorin Zac Alley this past year. And while West Virginiaflashed plenty of potential last season, but were also inconsistent and posted some outright bad performances as well. That side of the ball will need to take a step forward this season, and a couple players have emerged during preseason activities that might play a role in getting there.
Nate Gabriel - DL
Nate Gabriel has been a part of West Virginia's defense for two seasons now, but he's also been quiet. He's played in 24 games over the course of his career, but he's not been a major playmaker, and he has just 22 tackles to his name. But all that experience has been building a player that's now ready to step up as a defensive leader.
"Going in before summer, I was having talks with my coach and he was saying, 'Yeah, you're a good example leader but we need you to be more of a vocal leader.' That's what I'm working on,"Gabriel said during camp.
And by all accounts, he is stepping up in a major way. He has been praised by head coach Rich Rodriguez, defensive coordinator Zac Alley, and defensive line coach William Green during media sessions this fall.
And Nick Krahe, a veteran offensive lineman who has started in the Big 12 and lines up against Gabriel every day in practice, pulled no punches on what fans should expect from the rising defensive lineman this fall.
"Nate Gabriel has taken a big step," Krahe said. "I've been with Nate for three years now, and I've seen him progress every single year. He's going to be a great player, and we're going to need him up front.
Cam Torbor - LB
Torbor has been generating buzz all offseason as a potential breakout player. His name being mentioned right now might be more of a surprise, as he saw action in just four games for the Mountaineers. But it's starting to become clear that he could make an impact this season.
“He’s come along good," veteran linebacker Ben Cuttersaid last week about Torbor. "I mean, this dude has the body to play anything you like. We were talking the other day; he could bulk up and play edge if he wanted to. He’s got the athletic ability and everything like that. He’s very low body fat percentage, and he weighs like 240, 250. It’s crazy. He’s fast. He can move well."
"And his understanding – the biggest thing for him last year was just the mental part of the game, understanding exactly where he needs to be, and he’s come very far this year.”
It's a crowed linebacker room at the moment in Morgantown, with Cutter and Ashton Woods returning significant snaps from last season, and a portal class that welcomes multiple players wth Power 4 experience. But expect Torbor to be in the defensive rotation and make some plays this season.
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