The WVU football team has added a talented defensive player in Maurice Fleming. The transfer from Iowa will make an impact right away.
The addition of Fleming really couldn’t have come at a better time for the Mountaineers. With the graduation of a majority of the defensive starters from last year’s team, West Virginia originally looked pretty bare, especially in the secondary.
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Fleming, an experienced Big 10 product, automatically makes the unit stronger. He added developed talent and intense leadership to help re-shape a defense with defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.
Fleming, a Chicago native, played the past three seasons at Iowa. He opened his recruitment and announced his intentions to transfer just last month.
After only a few weeks, he decided West Virginia was his best landing spot.
The idea of immediate playing time likely caught his eye. Plus, the long-standing tradition of WVU football was also a likely selling point. Fleming appeared in 33 total games over three seasons at Iowa. He saw the most playing time as a junior, with appearances in all 14 games.
Fleming finished the 2015 season with 17 total tackles and five pass breakups. He was a three-year lettewinner with the Hawkeyes and could have been the team’s best defensive player in 2016.
Lucky enough for the Mountaineers, they get to inherit a top defensive player, as well as a humble human being.
In a statement for his transfer out of Iowa, Fleming said, “I feel blessed for my time and want to thank coach Kirk Ferentz and coach Phil Parker for their help in making me a better football player and keeping me humble. At this time I am going to explore my options to make the best of my senior year.”
This seems to be a great fit for both Fleming and the Mountaineers. By making the most of his senior year, he has a lot to offer. And, the WVU football program and Morgantown community has a lot to offer Fleming.
With Dana Holgorsen’s staff, including Gibson, looking to revamp the Mountaineers for 2016, a veteran player like Fleming could be the ideal catalyst to improve upon last season’s 8-5 campaign.