Published: August 08, 2008 11:07 pm            

Devine small, but exciting for Mountaineers

MORGANTOWN — Noel Devine is usually the smallest player on the field. He may also be the most exciting.

That’s saying a lot for someone who plays in the same backfield as Heisman Trophy candidate Pat White.

“Sometimes I go back and look at myself (on film),” said Devine, West Virginia’s starting tailback. “Even though that (highlight) might be good, I just watch and see what I can do better. Sometimes I do get surprised to see some of the things I do.”

So does most everyone else. He’s just as elusive and exciting on a video game, although Devine is the rare college athlete who doesn’t indulge in that type of diversion.

“People call me from home and tell me about it,” Devine said. “I don’t play video games, but it is a privilege to be on the games.”

Even though Devine is just 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, the West Virginia sophomore is one of the nation’s best tailbacks, and has inherited the starting position after the departure of Steve Slaton to the NFL.

However, Devine is not taking that position for granted.

“I’ve been ready since Steve left. I’ve been working hard during the summer to get ready to get this chance,” Devine said. “I have to prove myself, show up and do the best I can, and then we’ll see.”

If it’s anything like 2007, it should be fun to watch. The combination of White and Devine is one of the more potent backfields in the nation, but don’t try to make one of them bigger than the other.

“It’s a team offense, it’s neither one of our backfields,” Devine said. “It’s a team sport, it’s not about an individual. The linemen have to block, everybody has to do their thing. Without them there would be no backfield.”

Devine exploded on the scene last season after arriving as a highly-touted prospect from Florida. He displayed his 4.3 40-yard dash speed while accumulating 627 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged an amazing 8.6 yards per carry, including 27 plays for 20 yards or more.

Who says football is only for big guys?

“It’s a God-given talent,” said Devine, who has a 40-inch vertical leap. “Whatever I do to get better this year I’m going to do harder because I’m not a big back...

“I love to compete and when somebody says I can’t do something I like to prove a lot of people wrong. I feel like I have a bigger heart, I don’t feel like I had to be big like others backs.”

Devine was a three-year Class 5A all-state performer who ran for 6,842 yards and 92 touchdowns at North Fort Myers High School, including 2,148 yards and 31 scores as a senior.

Even then he didn’t see his size as a factor in using his ability on the field.

“That is a great advantage for me,” said Devine, who is one of nine children. “It makes it hard for the linebackers to see me because I’m little.”

He might be little in terms of height, but Devine has always been fast and strong. He has improved his strength since arriving at West Virginia, all while maintaining world-class speed.

“That surprises me because there is always going to be people better, but it’s a privilege and I’m proud of myself, but I’ve got to move on and show up on the field,” Devine said. “It don’t matter what you can do in the weight room, it matters what you do on the field.”

Slaton was injured throughout much of ‘07, but Devine stepped in just fine. He ran for 118 yards and caught seven passes for another 90 yards against Connecticut, scampered for 136 yards on just five carries against Maryland, and added another 108 yards in the Fiesta Bowl blowout of Oklahoma.

He did much of that in spectacular fashion, but quickly shifts credit to an offensive line that returns intact, including All-Americans like Ryan Stanchek and Greg Isdaner, along with quarterback White.

“It’s great running behind them,” said Devine, who averaged 23.2 yards on 22 kick returns last season. “I think they’re the No. 1 offensive line in the country so I think it will be great this year and it’s exciting already to play...

“(Pat) is a great leader. It is an honor to be on the field with Pat, I’m excited to play with him this year.”

Devine is firmly entrenched as the starter, but one of the biggest questions to solve before the Aug. 30 opener with Villanova are his backups. Among the candidates are Jock Sanders and freshman Terrence Kerns.

“I just help them out with the plays, make them feel comfortable, and just let them know that even though we play the same position that we’ll compete, but I’ll still take the time to help them,” Devine said. “I’ve still got to be a leader.

“Even though I am young and they’re probably the same age, but I’ve been here longer than them. I’ve got to help Pat and the others with the offense and step up and be a leader.”

The speedy Devine hopes to follow Slaton to the NFL, but the pros can wait their turn.

“I’m just humble and whatever I do I’m just doing it for now,” said the soft-spoken Devine. “I’ve got to worry about the present, not the future.

“Playing in the NFL would be a privilege and it would be an honor to make it there, but I’m just worried about now.”

—Contact Brian Woodson at

bwooodson@bdtonline.com

        

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