Graham Harrell is the new offensive coordinator for the West Virginia Mountaineers. Harrell, a former gun slinger in the Air Raid Offense, at Texas Tech will bring a high powered offense to WVU. The former QB hails from the Hal Mumme coaching tree that has produced a lot of great offensive minds. Mike Leech, who coached Harrell at Texas Tech and now at Mississippi State comes to mind.
Graham Harrell has seen success in his stops at both North Texas and USC as a play caller. Both stops had different tweaks to what his scheme would feature. At North Texas, it was a little more run oriented due to the talented running back in Jeffrey Wilson. At USC, Harrell was able to spread the ball around a little more with offensive weapons. After day two of fall camp, Harrell discussed what he sees from the offense after a great spring camp.
Offensive Scheme Implementation
After a lot of work in the spring, Harrell says that the offensive scheme is ahead of where it was when he got here in the spring. “I think we’re way ahead of, just from a installation and understanding standpoint, way ahead of where you expect to be. But definitely way ahead of where we were in the spring.” Harrell spoke about the work that the players put in this summer, working to understand the offense. “The guys did a great job of working in the summer, whether we were around or not. I think from a understanding point, from knowing what to do, knowing the offense, guys are pretty far along. So that helps the cause.”
Timing, is crucial in any offense, especially with implementing new schemes and new players into the system. This is something that Coach Neal Brown spoke about on Monday after the initial fall practice, but Harrell echoed in his press meeting. “Yeah, for sure. I think that (timing) comes from live reps. In the summer, I thought they did a good job of throwing as often as they could and getting on a lot of work together. But when you put something in front of them its obviously different. And the timing is going to be a little different.”
Quarterback Competition
With incoming transfer J.T. Daniels coming in, and Freshman Nicco Marchiol joining Garrett Greene and Will Crowder, Harrell is seeing a competition. When asked if any of the QB’s are starting to separate themselves. “Yeah obviously its still really early. I would agree with that. You know we haven’t even put pads on yet. You are still kind of getting a summer workout it feels like. I think tomorrow when you at least get the shoulder pads on, it will probably be a lot different. And you can really start seeing a few more things.” It will be the play when these QB’s see more live reps that a separation may become more apparent. “When pads come on, and the pass rush ramps up a little bit, it will probably be a lot more telling tomorrow.”
When Harrell was asked about what more he needs to see to start making a decision, Harrell eluded to who makes the guys better on the field. “I think we are doing the best we can to get guys reps with all the different groupings. Regards of who you are playing with, your job as a quarterback is to make it go. I’ve probably said this here before, because I have said it any time I talk about quarterbacks, but your job as a quarterback is to make your guys around you better. And you can see that on the football field. The guy that does make the guys around them better, uses the offense regardless of what group is or who they are rolling with, the offense looks better.
The Running Game
In the air raid coaching tree, the run game is viewed differently. You talk to some coaches, and the run game is important, to others it is just there. During Harrell’s time in North Texas, his idea of the importance of the run game took a turn with a talented back. “I love to throw the football, don’t get me wrong, but to win at a really high level, at some point you got to be able to run the football. The other thing about it is as a quarterback, and I have played the position, it is hard to be on every night. Being able to run the football can take some pressure off if your a little bit off that night. It’s a critical part of the game.”
Being able to run the ball in key situations is the highlight of Harrell’s want to engage the running game. “I believe in running the football. There is going to be times when everyone knows you are doing it and you still got to be able to do it. To finish games or these short yardage situations everybody in the stadium knows you’re running the football, and we have to have that mentality that we are going to be successful doing it. I think that is important.”
Experience at Offensive Line
There is no question to who the elder statesman are, position grouping wise, for the Mountaineers. The offensive line. It has also been the most talked about position since the Neal Brown era took over. With every starter from last season coming back on the o-line, that group looks to be the strength of the offense. “Our offensive line is one of our stronger points, so that helps in the running game.” Harrell stated, “So we will lean on those guys, and like I said, I think we have chance to be special running the football and we got to do it.” The group upfront will look to really push their game to a new level in 2022, and for WVU to have success, they will have to.
Reuniting with Daniels
JT Daniels was at USC for a year under Harrell. The QB saw success in his system, and having that experience can pay off. “He’s very intelligent and…he’s very even-keel…and I think because of that, coaching him, he doesn’t change much,” Harrell said. “It’s very similar to the way he was before, he’s always been intelligent and understands football very well, and I think now maybe he understands it a little better.” After leaving USC and transferring to the SEC powerhouse, Georgia, Daniels got experience in a new offensive scheme. “I’m sure Georgia saw all sorts of defenses, and had all sorts of responsibilities put on him, so i think he probably understands it even better now.”
West Virginia will open their season on the road in The Backyard Brawl, against rival Pitt. The game will be played on Thursday, September 1st in front of a newly announced sold out crowd. ESPN College Gameday will be on hand to cover the pre-game leading up to kickoff.
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