For anyone thinking West Virginia University defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s preseason praise for redshirt freshman Dylan Tonkery was a ploy to get him to play better, the ploy either worked or Gibson wasn’t providing lip service.

 

Considering Gibson is known for not sugarcoating his comments, it’s likely he believed that Tonkery had a chance to make his mark as a starter in replace of injured linebacker David Long. That belief has been rewarded.

 

Recently, an interview was played on the Citynet Statewide Sportsline where Gibson was talking about the defense.

 

During one part of the segment he began to talk about Tonkery and had piles of praise for the Bridgeport High School redshirt freshman who had only played in two games.

 

“Tonkery is probably playing as well as anybody on our defense other than Kyzir (White),” said Gibson in the interview.

 

White is the Mountaineers’ top playmaker on defense. In two games, he’s been consistent from his position in the defensive secondary in WVU’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme.

 

However, Gibson wasn’t hesitant to say who was next in line after White. And that was Tonkery, who is starting at the Will Linebacker position.

 

“If you would take every snap of the last two games Dylan Tonkery is right now, as far as production and performance and grade wise, is the second best guy that we’ve got right now,” said Gibson.

 

Through two games, Tonkery is WVU’s sixth leading tackler with eight stops.

 

Among those tackles are two for losses and one quarterback hurry.

 

The crew of Sportsline speculated what will happen with Tonkery when Long returns.

 

Long, a sophomore, is anticipated to miss the first four games of the season. Tony Caridi, “The Voice of the Mountaineers” who hosts the show, said he believes Tonkery won’t leave the field.

 

“If (Gibson) said he’s the second best player right now on the defense then, guess what, he’s going to be on the field,” Caridi said. “He’ll probably go to Sam (linebacker).”

 

Tonkery and the Mountaineers look to go to 2-1 Saturday.

 

The game with Delaware State begins at noon on the AT&T Sports Network (formerly Root Sports).

 

Editor's Note: Photos of Bridgeport High School alum and West Virginia University redshirt freshman courtesy of Joe McNemar of D-Max Photography in Stonewood. Photos are from action in last Saturday's victory  in Morgantown against East Carolina. Tonkery started at linebacker for the second straight week.