The number of Bridgeport High School players that will be part of the West Virginia University football roster will grow next year. Indians senior Noah Drummond has accepted an invitation to walk-on to the Mountaineer football team.

 

Drummond will join his brother Eli and former teammates Dylan Tonkery and Dante Bonamico in Morgantown as part of the WVU roster. Noah Drummond said WVU was the only school he showed interest in.

 

“I was thrilled when they asked me to be part of the team. There’s really no other feeling like it,” said Drummond. “To get a chance to play for the Mountaineers is special. I have to make the most of the chance.”

 

Drummond was starting center for the Indians for the last two seasons. His efforts were critical for a squad that nearly rushed for 4,000 yards.

 

Apparently, what he did along the line was impressive enough for Ryan Dorchester to notice. Dorchester, the director of player personnel for WVU football, oversees the organizational aspects of recruiting.

 

“He invited me to some of the game and we started talking,” said Drummond. “He called and asked me to walk on and I didn’t hesitate in accepting.”

 

Drummond’s offer isn’t new. In fact, it came in mid-October, around the time of the Indians’ game with Keyser. Bridgeport Coach John Cole, his teammates and family members did know about the offer and the acceptance. Cole said he is thrilled for his senior lineman.

 

“He was a real quiet for the most part, but he’s a kid that earned this because Noah does what you want, which is to show up and do your work and do it well,” said Cole. “Being quiet doesn’t mean he wasn’t a leader because he showed he was a leader after the Fairmont Senior game.”

 

It was in the game with the Polar Bears where Drummond came out for just one snap after dislocating his shoulder. He finished the game, but ended up missing the following week’s game with Robert C. Byrd before returning.

Leading up to his return, Cole said the Indians weren’t sure if Drummond would be able to handle the snap to the quarterback in the pistol formation because of the shoulder.

 

“Noah ordered a new brace to help with his shoulder, but we still asked him to go to a two-hand snap to help out. It only took a few days, but he got used to it and when you think about doing that after doing thousands of snaps the other way, that’s impressive and shows you how quickly he can adapt,” said Cole. “He even ran reps at guard in case it didn’t work out and we would have needed to move Christian Olivio to center. He showed he could play guard as well.”

 

It was in that instance, Cole said, that Drummond showed true leadership.

 

“How many kids will do what we asked him to do? We had him change his snap and had him running a new position and he just went out and did it and did it while battling an injury,” said Cole. “His teammates noticed it. I assure you they respected it too.”

 

Getting those extra reps at guard could be beneficial. Drummond said a particular position wasn’t discussed, but he’s certain he’ll be worked in with the offensive line.

 

“I’ve got to work on my size and get in my weight room,” said Drummond, who currently goes 6’1, 255. “I also need to work on my footwork because we just run the ball primarily at Bridgeport and there’s a bit of an art to pass blocking. I think I can get that pretty fast.”

 

Cole agreed.

 

“He’s got size, but he knows he needs more size and he’ll have to learn how to pass block consistently,” said Cole. “The good news is offensive linemen, particularly centers that are students of the game like Noah, are a valued commodity.”

 

One thing Drummond won’t have to worry about is what to expect. He’s already gotten an earful from his brother and former teammates.

 

“They’ve already told me that it’s a lot of work and I need to be prepared for it,” said Drummond, who plans on studying criminology to be a forensic accountant. “I’ve been told enough that it won’t be a surprise.”

 

Cole said smarts won’t be an issue.

 

“When you’re center you have to recognize things. With Noah at center we were able to do a lot because he was able to see the defense a lot of times and read it,” said Cole. “You just can’t put anyone at center.”

 

One thing Drummond isn’t certain about is the status of his shoulder. Although he finished the rest of the year after returning in week six of the regular season, there are still some issues.

 

“We’re not sure of the status. I’m going to be seeing an orthopedic specialist,” said Drummond. “I don’t know if I’m going to need surgery or rehabilitation. I should know soon.”

 

Drummond does know that he’s been put in position for this opportunity for things beyond his own hard work. And he wanted to thank those who helped along the way.

 

“I’m extremely thankful for the coaches, the community and my family. We have the best coaching staff in the state and prepared me and we have the best community support,” said Drummond. “That’s pretty valuable when you’re out there.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.