Barclay

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University's spring football practices were going smoothly for Don Barclay — until April 18.

That's when the redshirt sophomore offensive tackle and Seneca Valley graduate broke the fibula in his left leg during the Gold-Blue game, the annual intrasquad scrimmage that closes out spring drills.

"It was a passing play on the second series of the game," said Barclay. "I was blocking the defensive end and an offensive player fell into me.

"After I found out what the injury was, I didn't think it was all that bad," he added. "At least it wasn't an ACL and it was better that it happened then than in August."

At 6-feet-4, 290 pounds, Barclay had impressed his coaches leading up to the spring game and his recent performance in summer camp solidified his role as the starting left tackle for the Mountaineers, who open the season at home Saturday against Liberty University.

"He hasn't missed a beat in practice," said WVU offensive line coach Dave Johnson. "He's done every rep in two-a-days.

"Don's got a tremendous attitude," added Johnson. "Don't get me wrong. He's still a work in progress. He's only a redshirt sophomore. We'd like to see him be a bit more vocal, but that's not his game yet. But he goes hard on every play and leads by example."

Barclay wore a brace on his injured left leg for eight weeks.

"It was good they didn't put a cast on it," Barclay said. "With the brace, I was still able to get full flexibility with my ankle.

"Until the brace came off, I worked on upper body strength," he added. "Anything I could do, I did. After the brace came off, I worked on getting my left leg as strong as the right one."

Barclay shed the brace in June and was able to take part in blocking drills in July.

"That really helped me get comfortable before summer camp started," he said.

The healing is behind him — and so is his battle to win the starting left tackle spot. Now, Barclay is focused on making 2009 a memorable season.

He will be protecting the blindside of WVU quarterback Jarrett Brown, the highly touted redshirt senior who bided his time behind Pat White, now with the Miami Dolphins.

Saturday's game won't be Barclay's first collegiate start. That came last November, when an injury to starting left guard Greg Isdaner pushed the Barclay into the starting lineup in a 35-21 win at Louisville.

Barclay saw playing time in all of the Mountaineers' 13 games last year, helping the team to a 9-4 record, but earning a full-time starting role has definitely fired him up.

"I get goose bumps just thinking about it," said Barclay. "I can't wait for the season to start."