Bleed Gold And Blue

Junior shortstop and two-time all-BIG EAST first team player Jedd Gyorko was drafted in the second round as the 59th overall pick in Tuesday’s First-Year Player Draft. He tried to join former Mountaineer Chris Enochs to be the only Mountaineers to be drafted in the first round. He is ranked the as the third-highest draft pick and only trails Enochs and Darrell Whitmore, who was also a second round draft pick.

There was much speculation that Gyorko was going to be a first round selection but seemed to have altered due to his athleticism. The next time that you see Gyorko on the field, he may not be at shortstop as he was the past two seasons at West Virginia. If his speed and infield range is in fact an issue with him, he will be moved to either second or third. Another notable fact is that he only stole one base his entire senior season.
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Bleed Gold and Blue recently teamed up with our friends at Gold and Blue Zone to do an interview with one of the players from WVU’s 2010 recruiting class.

Click HERE to check out the interview at goldandbluezone.com.

We will have many more interviews coming up in the future. If you have any suggestions for who you would like to see us interview, please send us an email by clicking HERE

Bleed Gold and Blue and Gold and Blue Zone recently caught up with hybrid defensive end / linebacker Bruce Irvin.

Bruce was nice enough to answer a few questions for us and give us an idea as to some of the things that sold him on coming to WVU. He also makes it clear how excited he is to put on the pads and get this season under way.

Irvin comes to WVU from Mt. San Antonio Community College in California. He is listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds. WVU fans can’t wait to see him terrorize opposing quarterbacks over the next couple years.

Bruce will have three years to play two seasons.

Q: When did West Virginia football first get your attention? Did you ever watch them on TV even before they started recruiting you?
A: Well, WVU crossed my mind back in ‘08 when I was workin’ out at home in Atlanta, GA and Lonnie Galloway was there and I just told him to keep his eye out for me. Yea, really started watchin’ WVU in the Slaton / White era.

Q: What was your final list of schools? Who did you have to choose between?
A: It came down to SC, Auburn, LSU and WVU

Q: Who was your lead recruiter at WVU?
A: Lonnie Galloway was my lead recruiter

Q. What was the deciding factor for you in choosing West Virginia?
A: Basically the type of defense WVU runs I think that is the best fit for a player like me

Q: How do you like Morgantown?
A: I love it the people are nice and I love that they’re die hard WVU fans

Q: What are the strengths of your game?
A: I think I’m a very unique player. I’m a very effective pass rusher and I can cover very well. I actually was a free safety before I went to d-end so I’m pretty sure I can cover a tight end or a back out the backfield.

Q. What do you need to get better at?
A: I would say I need to get a bit stronger and put on 6 to 8 pounds.

Q. Is there any player in the NFL or anywhere that you look up to or that you think you are similar to?
A: Umm I would say Demarcus Ware because he is a hybrid like me, he can rush and drop back into coverage but I think I’m a little faster than Demarcus

Q. How do you see yourself being used in the defense? Will you play linebacker or defensive end?
A: I will play outside backer and on pass situations I will drop down to d-end

Q: Any advice for other athletes for when they go through the recruiting process?
A: Like I said in a recent interview, have a lot of mintues on ur phone plan because they are going to hassle you. Also make the decision for you. You are the one who has to live there and go play ball there. Go where they need u just as much as you need them.

Q: I’m big on nicknames. I’m sure you’re familiar with the movie Bruce Almighty. Do you think this is a nickname that might work for you?
A: LOL… yea I actually think that would fit me very well.

Q: Have anything to say to WVU fans?
A: I can’t wait to Sept. 4 when we smash Coastal Carolina and I get 3 sacks. I’m going to bring a lot of excitement to the WVU family this year I promise. I can’t wait to hear the 66 plus screaming Brruuucceeee after I get a sack

We would like to thank Bruce for taking the time to sit down and answer these questions for us.

Check out http://bleedgoldandblue.com/ and http://goldandbluezone.com/ If you have any suggestions for who you would like to see us interview just go to either of the links provided and click ‘Contact Us’ to send your request.

LET’S GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!

Two seasons ago, the Big East Conference Tournament included all 16 teams to have an automatic bid to the tournament. With that in place, the top four seeds received a double-bye. This changed, however, as the Big East coaches got together at their annual spring meeting in Ponte Verda Beach, Fl Tuesday morning. The coaches unanimously voted to do away with the double-bye format for next years postseason tournament.

The new format is expected to be approved on Wednesday by the league’s athletic directors. Read the rest of this entry »

Leonardo DiCaprio has been spotted numerous times sporting the flying WV from the United States all the way to London. This time he was spotted at game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns in LA with what looks like the same hat.

You won’t just find the flying WV around Morgantown anymore as it has traveled to Hollywood.

Quarterback Barry Brunetti, Safety Travis Bell, and Cornerback Ishmael Banks were all getting a head start as they were the only incoming freshman that reported to summer workouts on Monday. This was the first day that incoming players were allowed to report to the football team. They are giving themselves the best chance to play right away which, pleases the coaching staff.

It was not easy, however, landing these recruits as Brunetti and Bell both committed early but were still browsing around other schools.

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