West Virginia’s secondary is being tabbed as one of the fiercest in the nation in 2010.

The Mountaineers return four starters in the defensive backfield including 2009 first-team all-Big East Conference selections Brandon Hogan and Robert Sands.

However, WVU will have to fill one starting position this fall. That spot will likely go to Terence Garvin.

While he’s only a true sophomore, Garvin is being tabbed as the new spur safety to replace last year’s starter Nate Sowers.

The soft-spoken Garvin said he is ready for the lofty expectations placed on him by being named a starter.

“I’m ready for it, but of course there’s pressure,” he said. “We return a lot of starters and a lot of experience. I don’t want to be the person that they look at because I’m making the mistakes.”

One of those fellow starters, senior safety Sidney Glover, has been the biggest help for Garvin. “He helps me with everything,” Garvin added.

Garvin received a significant amount of playing time as a true freshman. He played in 10 games and recorded 10 tackles which has allowed him to feel more comfortable, he said.

“We’re bring Terence along. He’s smart, and he’s got the perfect fit for the spur position right now,” Glover said.

In addition to the help Glover has provided for Garvin, fellow safety Robert Sands has also been a big help for Garvin.

He is hoping for a similar breakout season like Sands had in 2009.

“He was a sophomore, and he made a lot of plays, so of course that would be something I’d like to do,” Garvin said. “I watched a lot of stuff Rob did and the way he covered people, and I want to incorporate that into my game.”

While Garvin wasn’t quick to say he is locked in at the spur spot, he did say he expects to surprise some fans this year.

“I hope so,” he said. “I hope I can just come in and do what I have to do.”

PRACTICE NOTES

– WVU practiced in pads for the first time. It was also the first open practice at the natural grass field behind the Caperton Indoor Facility.

“We wanted to get out of the heat,” said WVU head coach Bill Stewart. “That turf is hot.”
Stewart said he wanted to practice some on the natural grass field, because his team will face some opponents with that surface this season.

WVU will play on natural grass against Connecticut, LSU and Pitt this season.

– Stewart said he was impressive with the intensity of Monday’s practice.

“They were excited, and we were excited,” Stewart said. “It was a good day.”

– Starting tight end Tyler Urban said he is adjusting to the new coaching style of tight ends coach Randy McMichael. McMichael replaced Doc Holliday, who is the head coach at Marshall.

Urban said McMichael teaches more strategically, than Holliday.

– Glover said he believes WVU’s secondary can be one of the best in the nation. In addition, Glover – who has been hampered by injuries in his time at WVU – said he learned from those injuries and is trying to improve his preparation to stay healthier this season.

– WVU quarterback Geno Smith said he is impressed with the depth the Mountaineers have at wide receiver.

Smith said freshman Ivan McCartney is a “tremendous deep threat.” McCartney was seen making a few tough catches over defensive backs during the first hour of Monday’s practice.

“The key to his success is that he works so hard,” Smith said. “He has coaches that push him, and I think that will help him down the line.”