Barclay

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Don Barclay can't wait for September to roll around.

Given his current role with the West Virginia University football team, who can blame him?

The 6-foot-4, 298-pound Barclay, a 2007 Seneca Valley graduate who will be a redshirt sophomore next season, is a left offensive tackle currently working with the first string as the Mountaineers get set for their second week of spring practice.

"Football is very important to Don," said WVU offensive line coach Dave Johnson. "He's very competitive and that is helping him win the individual battles in practice."

After being redshirted for the 2007 season, Barclay became a key cog on the offensive line in 2008.

He saw time in all 13 games, including the Mountaineers' 31-30 win over North Carolina in the Meineke Car Care Bowl Dec. 27 that capped a 9-4 season.

"I played between two and three quarters at left guard in the bowl game," said Barclay. "That's where I saw most of my playing time last year. I also played a little at left tackle, so I'm more versatile now and that's good."

Left guard is also where Barclay got his first collegiate start in a 35-21 victory at Louisville Nov. 22.

"Our starting left guard, Greg Isdaner, was having some shoulder problems. The coaches came to me on Thursday of that week and told me to be ready," he said.

It proved to be a memorable game for Barclay for more reasons than one, as his blocking helped Pat White rush for 200 yards as the speedy White become the top career rushing quarterback in NCAA history.

"It was a great time," said Barclay. "We walked away with a win and it was an honor to play in that game, with Pat breaking the record."

Barclay has seen his skills evolve since arriving in Morgantown.

"I wasn't the biggest lineman in high school and was a better pass blocker than run blocker," he said. "But after two years in college, my run blocking has really improved.

"I've been able to stay healthy and weightlifting is a big reason for that," added Barclay, who benches 385 pounds.

"He played a lot last year as a redshirt freshman," Johnson said. "That exposure is going to benefit him."

WVU's coaching staff has set the bar high for Barclay, who is focused on reaching, and surpassing, those expectations.

"If I'm not starting at the beginning of next season, it will definitely be a disappointment," he said.

WVU's spring game will be held April 18.

The Mountaineers open the 2009 season by hosting Liberty Sept. 5.