MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A year ago, former Morgantown High standout Shea Campbell went from walk-on to starting linebacker for West Virginia.
With the change to Neal Brown as head coach, Campbell was still on pace to be a major part of the Mountaineers’ defense, until injuries put that thought on pause.
“Shea had two different injuries in fall camp,” Brown said. “He really only practiced two days in pads before he was injured. He missed almost two-and-a-half weeks.”
Campbell sat out the season-opener against James Madison, but did see action against Missouri.
“It took him almost to the Missouri week to get back into game shape,” Brown said.
The linebacker made an impact in the Mountaineers’ 44-27 victory against with two solo tackles, including one for a loss.
“He did a great job,” WVU defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said. “We’re looking for someone who can be productive. We haven’t been as productive there as we need to be. We’re trying to see what the guys can do best and kind of feature that. Shea has come in and done a good a really good job. He’s finally recovered from an injury he had in camp. I think he played a really good game. I look for him to play 50-50 now, at least.”
Campbell and West Virginia’s front seven on defense will be tested by a Kansas running game that features two running backs averaging more than
100 yards rushing per game.
Senior Khalil Herbert has rushed for 357 and Pooka Williams has added 220 after sitting out the Jayhawks’ season-opener.
“They can take the ball anywhere on the field and make it a touchdown,” Koenning said. “I think the last time West Virginia went to Lawrence, (Herbert) had over 200 yards by himself. Now, they have two of them.”
West Virginia allows 182.7 yards on the ground, which is last in the Big 12.
Having a healthy Campbell around could help.
WVU limited N.C. State to 3.9 yards per carry, but Koenning feels there is more potential to be shown from this defense.
“We didn’t play anywhere close to as good as we can play,” he said. “We played hard. We knocked the mess out of them. We were physical. We acted like we didn’t like them. With that being said, we’re going to have to be more precise with our reads. We gave up a touchdown just because we were looking in the backfield. We’ve got to be better in a lot of venues. We can be way better.”
In the passing game, Brown said Campbell made an impact whenever the Mountaineers elected to blitz.
“He played really well and was productive in his snaps,” Brown said. “He’ll continue to play. He did a great job blitzing. He’s a smart football player. He looked quicker. He looked quicker and fresh in that game.”
