Welcome back to another edition of "WVU's Where Are They Now?" -- the weekly column that is your one-spot-stop to catch up on news that your former Mountaineers have made during the past week. I scour the Internet for news, blurbs, and other tidbits about what former Mountaineers are up to in life outside of Morgantown.
This past week in Mountaineer Nation was one that will be ingrained in our memories for a long, long time culminating with Bill Stewart's resignation and Dana Holgorsen's accelerated promotion. Hopefully this will kill the coach-in-waiting model for good. To commemorate this legendary event, I am introducing a new segment to the column: The Former Player Tweet of the Week. In fact, I have two tweets that I couldn't decide between, so you'll hear what two former players opinions are on Bill Stewart.
Apart from the Stewpocalypse, other things were happening outside of Morgantown. Two former Mountaineer baseball players made news. One by getting drafted, the other for earning yet another award (followers of this column know who I'm speaking of). Adam Jones returns to the field as does Pat White, sort of. Anthony Becht is going to try his hand as a television broadcaster. Joe Alexander gets a tryout with an NBA team, and more fun-filled news. Alas, there is no Marc Bulger It May or Not Be News this week again. Check back next week.
Here goes...
Grant Buckner- Buckner was drafted by the Chicago White Sox with the 801st pick in the 26th round of the MLB Draft this past week. The Elkview, WV native was chosen by the Sox after winning the Big East batting crown with a .437 average in Big East play. The shortstop finished his Mountaineer career finishing in the career top-10 in six statistical categories at WVU.
Anthony Becht- The former WVU and NFL TE is in a transitional phase right now. Going from player, to radio host, to NFL TV analyst? Becht will participate in the the NFL's 5th Broadcast Bootcamp. A camp that teaches former players that have shown interest in joining the media how a studio or color commentary gig works. James Brown of CBS, Ron Jaworski, Mike Mayock, Curt Menefee, and Solomon Wilcots will host the event from June 20-23. The Boot Camp will instruct the former players with hands-on work with tape study, editing, game preparation, and other areas related to being a part of a football broadcast. The players will tape segments as an analyst and will also serve as a live radio host (something Becht is already involved in) on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Roughly, more than 1/3 of the players who participate in the boot camp over the last four years have gone on to work in football broadcasting.
Steve Slaton- ProFootballWeekly reported this week that the Texans are going to showcase Steve Slaton in hopes of finding a trade partner. Slaton busted on the scene with the Texans in 2008 by rushing for over 1,200 yards to lead all rookies that season. Since then, he has battled fumble and injury problems on his way to the bottom of a crowded depth chart in Houston. With Arian Foster, the NFL's leading rusher last season, on the roster, Slaton has little chance of being the Texans' starting running back anytime soon. Texans' management still believe, however, that Slaton could start somewhere else (Washington Redskins have rumored interest in Slaton). So, during a preseason where the established starters and veterans don't play much, Slaton may get an opportunity to show if he still has that spark needed to be an every down back. If Slaton produces in the preseason, it could lead to someone wanting to give him another opportunity.
Adam Jones- After serving a one-year suspension from the NFL, Jones signed with the Cincinatti Bengals. He served as a backup and kick returner before having neck surgery after Week 7 last season. Jones returned to the practice field as the Bengals' defensive players got together for practices. Jones Tweeted this week that he participated in 7-on-7 drills. It was noted that Robert Sands was the only rookie missing from the practice.
Pat White- After months of anticipation of what White's next career move will be after he retired from baseball, we know one thing at least. According to AL.com, White will appear at a celebrity football camp at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in scheduled for June 23-24. Ellis Lankster, another former Mountaineer now of the N.Y. Jets, will also attend.
Joe Alexander- Alexander was invited this week to participate in free-agent workouts with the Oklahoma City Thunder. With a looming lockout in the NBA, the Summer Leagues were cancelled. Teams use the Summer League to get younger players a chance to learn a team's plays and processes and to give free agents an opportunity to make a preseason roster. With the Summer League cancelled, and a Lockout looming, the chance that NBA teams will have to add players to their rosters could be limited. Therefore, the Thunder are trying to get as many of these prospective players in as possible before the labor situation comes to a head. Alexander was an All-Star in the D-League last season as a member of the Texas Legends.
Jedd Gyorko- I know this is getting repetitve, but the former Mountaineer infielder some awards this week. He was named as one of Topps Top Players of the Month Award.
Pat McAfee- McAfee knows how to keep himself busy. He hosts the Pat McAfee Show that he broadcasts from a studio in his home over the internet. It is quite entertaining if you have some time to kill. During this past week, McAfee guest hosted a radio talk show in Indianapolis and was present at Indiana Pacers draft workouts.
Former Player Tweet of the Week: Part I
I think coach stew is a great guy but he's not a head coach. Nothing about him says head coach.
Former Player Tweet of the Week: Part II
Jarrett Brown (@JarrettBrown16)
We wouldnt have this discussion if we had more production from the Offensive coordinator.