Tirek Austin-Cave, New Mexico Football News: Draft Scout Player News

08/21/22 - ILB Tirek Austin-Cave, rSr/2025, New Mexico

West Virginia assistant Jeff Koonz fielded questions during a media session on Monday, and with two responsibilities - special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach - those inquiries covered a wide range. That's exactly what Koonz believes his linebackers can do this season. Team speed has been a theme from the beginning of spring and it's an asset that coaches hope can make up for a relative lack of depth, especially at the mike position, where junior-college transfer Lee Kpogba is set to take over the starting job. On Monday, Koonz stressed that it's not just physical speed but a greater understanding of the defense that is allowing his linebackers to play faster and faster. "I like how we run," Koonz said. "Part of that too is understanding where the fit is and they work within relation to each other and the scheme and understanding that so they can play faster. You've got to have a fast guy, obviously, but you can have a fast guy that's processing and he's not getting to the ball and I think we've really progressed with that." Kpogba has been in the fold since December and went through spring practices, giving him a leg up.

Behind him, however, depth at mike was a concern throughout the summer. The addition of Tirek Austin-Cave from Miami in May addressed that issue, with Morgantown native and redshirt Caden Biser also getting snaps there. Koonz added that true freshman Trey Lathan is getting reps at the mike and will positions. But Austin-Cave is the most intriguing option, and Koonz gave an update on his progress. "Austin-Cave has shown exactly what we were hoping for athletically - the skill set that he has and he's been a quick learner," Koonz said. "Austin-Cave has come in and had a really good camp and I'm excited to see how he finishes the week, how much he progresses. Obviously, coming in later, he doesn't have as good an understanding, the amount that Lee has having been able to go through the spring. But I've been impressed with how he's picked it up and how quickly he's picked it up." - Charleston Gazette-Mail

rSr/2025