While we try to highlight each individual news item related to West Virginia sports here at HailWV, sometimes there are a handful of news items that fly under the radar for news and fans alike.
Here are some interesting Mountaineer football news stories that broke over the past few days for all the Mountaineer fans don't want to miss anything West Virginia related.
Beanie Bishop Jr. Reflects on Meetings with Mike Tomlin
Former WVU cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. came to Morgantown after tenures with multiple FBS programs looking for one final opportunity as a senior to reshape his career -- and he succeeded.
Bishop became a Consensus All-American during his sole season with the Mountaineers in 2023, putting together a stellar campaign that saw him finish with 67 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and four interceptions.
But his career development did not stop -- he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers entering his rookie season in the NFL, and quickly earned a spot on the final roster and significant playing time. He finished his 2024 campaign in Pittsburgh having appeared in 17 games with 45 tackles, seven pass breakups, four interceptions, and one fumble recovery to his name.
A large part of his development with the Steelers is credited to Head Coach Mike Tomlin, according to Bishop. He recently discussed his weekly meetings with Tomlin throughout the season and what it meant to his as a rookie carving out a role in the organization.
"It was like an every Friday thing. After we get done with the team meetings, I would go in there and it'd be very brief some days," Bishop said in an interview with the team site.
"Sometimes he'll have a paper written out that would say 'Beanie's Meeting' on top and it would have all the little notes and stuff."
Former Coach, Player Find New Homes
A pair of former members of the WVU football program are set to join new homes.
Isaiah Macklin, who served as an Assistant Quarterbacks Coach under Neal Brown, was recently named to an Offensive Analyst position with the Virginia Cavaliers. Macklin began his coaching career as a Scouting Assistant with the New Orleans Saints, and played collegiately at Division 1 FCS program Central Arkansas.
Newest addition to the staff🔷⚔️🔶
— Virginia Football (@UVAFootball) February 18, 2025
Welcome to Charlottesville @QBCoachMacklin #UVAStrong | #GoHoos ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/xB6Zf9LIcz
Also headed to a new organization is former Mountaineer offensive lineman Briason Mays, who was signed by the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL, per analyst Michael De Negro.
Mays finished his collegiate career at Southern Miss, but spent a three-year stint in Morgantown from 2018-2020 -- me made 23 appearances and seven starts for WVU. He also spent the 2024 training camp period with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.