Urban would like to touch the football

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Ball please... West Virginia tight end Tyler Urban hopes to be a bigger part of the Mountaineers’ offense this season. Contributed photo

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August 31, 2010

By BRIAN WOODSON Bluefield Daily Telegraph The Bluefield Daily Telegraph Tue Aug 31, 2010, 05:00 AM EDT

MORGANTOWN — Tyler Urban has played in all 13 games in each of the last two seasons for the Mountaineers.

Sometimes, however, he gets overshadowed. That’s just part of being a tight end at West Virginia.

“I have been in the game,” said Urban, with a laugh.

It’s just that the tight end doesn’t see the football often at West Virginia. Urban, who caught 10 passes last season after snagging just four the year before, would like to do more than just block for the Mountaineers on offense.

“It’s just that pass catching is the thing that people notice and stands out,” said the 6-foot-5, 244-pound junior. “I had double digit catches last season so just an increased role would be what people would expect.”

The tight end hadn’t played a significant role as a pass catcher at West Virginia since Anthony Becht played for the Mountaineers from 1996-99.

Becht, who has played six seasons in the NFL — currently with the Arizona Cardinals — caught 83 passes for 1,178 yards for the Mountaineers, behind only Mark Raugh, who had 119 receptions for 1,328 yards from 1979-82.

When Becht played at West Virginia, his position coach was David McMichael. After nine seasons at Connecticut, McMichael has returned to Morgantown, and Urban hopes that is a good omen.

“It is an uphill battle,” said Urban, in terms of getting catches in the West Virginia offense. “It has been the last two seasons, but coach McMichael was the last one to coach Anthony Becht here so maybe it’s going to work out.”

Urban has shown the ability to make plays, scoring twice on just four catches as a freshman, and once out of 10 receptions last season.

He expects to have a bigger role on offense this season, at least if offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen and quarterback Geno Smith are to be believed.

“Coach Mullen said I was going to be more of a factor, Geno said I was going to be more of a factor so we will see whatever happens during the season,” Urban said. “I believe him, just throughout summer drills it seemed like I was getting the ball more.”

Urban is one of two tight ends that sees the field often, sometimes at the same time. Will Johnson, who has also played fullback for the Mountaineers, has also seen limited touches, catching 16 passes in three seasons for West Virginia.

“I am more of the blocking tight end, Will used to play wide receiver here so he is definitely better at the route running,” Urban said. “I think when we are on the field together we complement each other well, whatever role we have.”

Even with an offense full of playmakers, including Smith, Noel Devine, Jock Sanders and Tavon Austin, Urban could find his touches limited again this season, but should still get more attention than, say, a nose guard on defense.

“Whatever is working for the team is fine,” said Urban, with a laugh. “It is not that bad, we get some publicity out there.”

—Contact Brian Woodson

at bwoodson@bdtonline.com

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Urban would like to touch the football

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