WEST VIRGINIA Keilen Dykes has developed into team leader at DE

The Chaney High graduate is one of four Valley players with the Mountaineers.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. -- Keilen Dykes of Youngstown has come a long way in a short time with the West Virginia University football team.
After not seeing any varsity playing time last season, the Chaney High graduate and redshirt freshman defensive end not only has become starter with the Mountaineers, but has developed into one of the team leaders and a factor in their success.
The main reasons: ambition, preparation, dedication and perseverance.
"I did OK in spring practice, but I was sick and injured. I didn't really play up to my standards and abilities," said Dykes. "It was in the summer preseason camp that I showed what I can do. I really poured it on there, just making plays.
"Going into the season, I was a co-starter in a rotation. I would come in after the second series and I just got rotated in from there. I just keep on competing every day at practice and working hard and doing what the coaches ask me to do, and so far it has been working out for me."
Four wins as starter
Ever since Dykes became a starter in the sixth game of the season against Connecticut, West Virginia has won four straight games. The Mountaineers are 8-1 overall and 4-0 in the Big East entering Saturday's home game with Boston College.
West Virginia, which will cap the regular season on Thanksgiving Day at Pitt, is ranked No. 10 by ESPN/USA and No. 13 by the Associated Press after disposing of Temple last week, 35-30. Their only loss was to Virginia Tech, 19-13, Oct. 2.
"The coach just wanted to change things up," Dykes said of the starting role he won. "I think I improved a lot on my technique and coming off the ball and getting my read together. I'm starting to put it together in the stretch run."
Dykes (6-foot-4, 280 pounds), who plays strong side defensive end, has registered 27 tackles, including 15 solos, and has 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
"I just getting my hands in the right place," he said. "You just try to keep the outside contained and you have to put pressure on the quarterback," said Dykes, who usually is positioned opposite the offensive tackle in the gap.
Well-prepared at Chaney
Dykes said his comprehensive training at Chaney prepared him for the demands at West Virginia.
"It was my work ethic. We worked hard every day at Chaney. Chaney has probably the hardest-working program in the Valley," said Dykes, noting that Chaney's practice sessions were more than twice as long as West Virginia's.
"We practiced about 3 1/2 hours a day [at Chaney], and at West Virginia we practice only about 1:15 to 1 1/2 hours."
Dykes has Youngstown-area company at WVU -- Chaney's Thandi Smith, a senior defensive back; and two redshirt freshmen from Boardman High, Mike Villagrana, a defensive end, and Andrew Good, a kicker.
Smith plays on special teams and has five tackles, including three solos.
"[Smith] is doing pretty good. He had a blocked punt in the Syracuse game," said Dykes.
Glad Smith is there
"I like it that I have someone from Chaney there. You have some one to talk to about Youngstown and you always have a ride back home. [That] is one of the reasons I came here, because Thandi was there."
Dykes said he almost joined Smith's brother, Brad, at Missouri before choosing WVU.
"It was too far," said Dykes.
But two of Dykes' biggest advantages are his parents, Jewell and James Dykes, who have provided their son strong support.
"They see every game and that feels pretty good," said Dykes, who will be looking forward to playing against Pitt and renewing battles against Mike McGlynn from Austintown Fitch. McGlynn (6-5, 315) also has become a starter as a redshirt freshman at offensive tackle for the Panthers.
"I got to call [McGlynn] and let him know I'm coming," said Dykes. "I would line up against him [in the Chaney-Fitch game]. He is a big man that can compete. He can move for his size."
kovach@vindy.com