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ARLINGTON, Texas Ƶ If thereƵs one quality that a defensive back must have, itƵs confidence.
Confidence he can make the next play. Confidence that a recent bad play wonƵt be repeated. ItƵs as much mindset as anything, but without it, those players charged with covering the fastest, rangiest offensive weapons the opposing team can muster are dead in the water before the ball is snapped.
West Virginia senior defensive back Charles Woods has it, and he isnƵt shy about discussing it.
ƵWe play one of the hardest positions on the field, and if you get beat, you canƵt let that mess with you. If you do, you are probably going to get beat the rest of the game. You have to have that mindset of whatƵs next,Ƶ Woods explained.
ThereƵs no backing down in the Illinois State transfer, who wanted to prove himself against top-tier competition.
ƵIt was to prove to everyone I could play at this level,Ƶ he said of the reasons for his move to ƵU, which came after he earned FCS honorable mention All-America honors after his second season with the Redbirds. ƵComing out of high school, I was under recruited, because I didnƵt fit the eye test. So I wanted to prove to everyone I could play with the best. It gave me a big boost to my confidence, so having made some plays at this level, I think my confidence is through the roof right now.Ƶ
Woods had 31 tackles in mixed action at cornerback and safety for ƵU in 2021, proving that he could indeed hold his own at the top tier of Division I football. He always seemed to be around the ball, winding up with two interceptions, four pass breakups, two tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. That performance helped him earn preseason all-conference honors from the Big 12 media as well as the top rating for a cornerback in zone coverage from one analytics service.
The well-spoken Dallas native is happy with the recognition of his work, but he isnƵt going to let that change his approach to the game.
ƵI canƵt get too deep into that and get that in my head,Ƶ he confirmed. ƵItƵs a good thing they put me out there, but itƵs also bad, because teams now know I am one of the best corners in the conference. They are going to try me, and I have to work even harder than before. IƵm trying to better my technique every day. No matter how talented you are, you have to work on your craft. It was not a surprise (to be on the preseason All-Conference team). I think people just saw what I could do on the field. To be honest, I donƵt think I got enough recognition.Ƶ
That mix of self-awareness and belief in his ability, along with the touch of bravado, seems to be perfectly balanced at the moment.
While admitting that he still uses the lack of notice as a motivator (ƵI still have that chip on my shoulder, and I donƵt think itƵs ever going to go awayƵ), he is also embracing his role as a mentor and a leader while preparing for whatever role the coaching staff assigns him.
ƵI am very confident playing either (safety or corner). I love the nickel (which is what ƵU calls its extra defensive back, although that is in reality a dime back, giving it six DBs). That nickel, it makes me feel like I am in the league (NFL). Inside you have more room. The route concepts are greater, and there are faster guys. A lot of time the other teamƵs best receivers are on the inside. But in the end, I just love playing football.
ƵIt all depends on the vets,Ƶ he continued, commenting on the key to assimilating so many newcomers into the defensive secondary, which ƵU is banking on. ƵHow we bring young guys in, show them the right way to do things. ItƵs up to us to do that. We have come together this summer, and we have a good bond. When a newcomer comes in, I look for how he responds to adversity. When something doesnƵt go his way, how does he respond? That tells me a lot about him as a person.Ƶ
Being alone on an island is never easy; just ask Tom Hanks.
In football, the island is at cornerback, and even the best of corners are going to get beaten. The key is to have a short memory.
ƵƵ a corner, you have to make sure you have that next-play mentality,Ƶ West Virginia sophomore cornerback Nicktroy Fortune said. ƵThat can be difficult at times when you give up a deep ball or something like that, but you have to let that go.
ƵThe mental part is the hardest part of being a DB,Ƶ he added. ƵIf you have the physical skills, itƵs not really hard to execute what youƵre supposed to do, but mentally when you give up a bad play, you have to go on to the next one.Ƶ
Developing the confidence it takes to be a quality cornerback is not easy, especially for a younger player. A native of Roswell, Georgia, Fortune was thrust into action as a true freshman in 2019, playing in 11 of ƵUƵs 12 games that season, even starting two of them.
Ƶ he gained more experience, he became more and more comfortable at the major college level.
Last year, the 6-foot, 195-pound sports management major became a full-time starter, and his confidence increased with most every snap.
ƵIƵm not going to lie; I was timid, just a little bit,Ƶ admitted the Central Gwinnett High grad. ƵBut now IƵm starting to come into my own.Ƶ
Having recorded 35 tackles and one interception last season, Fortune and the Mountaineer coaches feel heƵs capable of even more in 2021.
ƵNicktroy is a guy who runs really well, is strong and is as athletic as anybody weƵve got,Ƶ ƵU head coach Neal Brown said. ƵI just want him to take some more chances. I want him to play free. I have a lot of confidence in him, all our coaches do. I want him to play with that confidence.Ƶ
Fortune likes the faith his coach has in him.
ƵHe told me he wanted me to go out there and be aggressive,Ƶ recalled the sophomore cornerback. ƵEven if I mess up, he wanted me to go out and play. IƵve taken that into my mind, and ever since then, IƵve just gone out and played ball. IƵve given up some, but IƵve also made plays.Ƶ
One big transition for Fortune this year is his position coach. Jahmile Addae, who oversaw ƵUƵs cornerbacks in 2019 and Ƶ20, left for a job at Georgia last January.
ShaDon Brown has taken over as the MountaineersƵ cornerback coach, coming to West Virginia after a two-year stint at Louisville.
Fortune has quickly grown close to his new coach.
ƵAt first, I was bit unsure, because I didnƵt really know him,Ƶ Fortune said. ƵBut with time, I found out what a cool guy he is. HeƵs funny, never really serious. ItƵs always positive in the room, never negative. HeƵs a good guy, and I look forward to going through the season with him. I have a good relationship with him.Ƶ
HUNTINGTON Ƶ A local business owner is hoping to build confidence in children and their guardians through their crowning glory Ƶ hair.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Ƶ News) Ƶ It is in many ways a fine line that athletes walk.
