MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — During a rapid bit of relationship-building last December, former West Virginia assistant Blue Adams offered and helped sign cornerback Hakeem Bailey from Iowa Western Community College.
That now looks like an increasingly fortuitous sequence for both parties.
The release of the opening-week depth chart shows Bailey parlayed a strong preseason into a starting role at left corner, beating out senior returnee Elijah Battle.
While Adams left for South Florida in February, the Mountaineers’ new cornerbacks coach Doug Belk developed a similar liking for Bailey. At 6-foot, his long arms help compensate for technique issues as he plays catchup on deep routes.