Published: April 11, 2008 12:39 am      

WVU’s Sowers settling in on defense

MORGANTOWN — Nate Sowers hopes that he’s finally found a home on West Virginia University’s defensive side of the football.

The 6-2, 210-pound junior from Martinsburg enrolled as a quarterback in 2005, was in the mix at that position, then spent a season at wide receiver before being switched to the secondary last season.

“I’m doing all right, but I’m still getting used to playing defense,” Sowers said after the 10th day of spring practice. “It’s a totally different thing over there, and the more reps I get, the more comfortable I feel.”

He has been battling for playing time at one of the safety positions after having given up reps at wide receiver. He got into a couple of games on defense last season as the Mountaineers went 11-2 and finished No. 6 in the final polls.

Losses were heavy in the secondary, but Sowers thinks there are several players with the potential to fill holes back there. Naturally, he believes he’s one of those. Only juniors Quinton Andrews and Franchot “Boogie” Allen have extensive game experience.

“If we can get a couple guys to roll in here and there, that will be good and it would keep guys fresh back there,” Sowers said. “There are a lot of guys who haven’t had any experience. But I’ve been here quite a while and, hopefully, I will be ready to go this fall.”

He was credited with making seven tackles last season in a reserve role.

“I enjoy playing on that side of the ball,” said Sowers, who saw action at safety when a standout at Martinsburg High School. “I just enjoy playing football and flying around. That’s what the game is all about.”

He has a great work ethic, is very athletic and shows good quickness and speed.

Sowers led Martinsburg High to a 50-5 record while there and was voted the Kennedy Award as the West Virginia state high school player of the year as a senior.

He piled up 8,515 career yards and 113 touchdowns passing and added 2,427 yards and 38 scores rushing.

He was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year. He made the National Honor Society and now is a member of the WVU athletic director’s honor roll.

“Yeah, I like the switch to defense,” Sowers reiterated. “There’s a lot more fun over there. The more experience I get (at safety), the more comfortable I’m going to be and the better off I’ll be.”