MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Darrien Howard’s status as West Virginia’s nose tackle would appear more solid than the chunk of coal on display outside Milan Puskar Stadium.
Former starter Kyle Rose graduated, sophomore Jaleel Fields is beginning months of rehab from knee surgery and redshirt freshman Alec Shriner remains in development.
This is Howard’s spot. He’s comfortably ahead of the competition, but Howard cannot let himself be comfortable.
“I’m still playing scared, scared that somebody’s going to take my job,” he said. “Nothing’s given to you. So regardless of where I am, I have a lot to work on.