By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN —
Geno Smith continues to be impressive in West Virginia University’s football training camp.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound sophomore quarterback from Miami, Fla., is merely just measuring up as the projected starter this season. He appeared in only five games as a true freshman last year, when he was the backup to graduated Jerrett Brown.
But Smith not only has exceptional talent, but scholarly intelligence and maturity. In addition, he was permitted by his prep coach, former Mountaineer standout Damon Cogdell, to call his own plays at Miramar High in Miami as a junior and senior.
So Smith obviously is further along than your average sophomore. And pleased WVU coaches and admiring teammates will tell you he’s rapidly growing into a strong leader.
Smith has been getting at least 50 percent of the snaps in fall training camp. Two highly regarded freshmen are receiving no more than 25 percent each. Those still have a long way to go.
One is Barry Brunetti (6-foot, 207) of Memphis, Tenn., and the other is Jeremy Johnson (6-foot-2, 175) of Kountze, Texas.
Coley White, a redshirt sophomore and brother of former WVU star Patrick White, took all of the snaps with the first team in spring practice. But he now is working solely at a wide receiver spot.
“I thought Geno had great pocket presence,” Coach Bill Stewart said following last Saturday’s full-scale scrimmage. “Geno’s a young man that commands that pocket. He’s doing a fine job.”
Senior running back Noel Devine, who galloped 79 yards for a touchdown, thought Smith was awesome. “He’s showing us he could lead us a long way.”
Junior tackle Don Barclay thinks the offensive line is getting better to provide consistent blocking for Smith as well as for Devine and others. “We’re getting some big yardage plays,” he said. “Geno is making some nice throws.”
Barclay said getting at least four yards on a play gives the unsung linemen more confidence. “I think we’re getting a lot better,” he added.
Defensive lineman Julian Miller likes Smith’s play-calling and execution, too. “I think he did great in the scrimmage,” he said. “I’d give him a ‘B’ rating.
“Geno made some nice reads and did a good job of scrambling out of the pocket,” Barclay noted.
Players on both sides of the ball, however, mention his leadership on the field.
Stewart said, “Geno found his secondary receiver time and time again for passes (in the scrimmage). I don’t know what we’ll do if something happens to him.”
In his five brief appearances last year, Smith completed 32 of 49 passes for 309 yards. He also netted seven yards rushing on 17 carries.
Another officiated scrimmage on Saturday will wind up training camp practice. Fan Day will be observed from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
