WVU to YSU: Rodemoyer set to go

The Sharon native was a starter for the Mountaineers before transferring to the Penguins.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — At 6-foot-4, 305 pounds Eric Rodemoyer isn’t exactly the guy you want to call a “Momma’s Boy” to his face.

But Rodemoyer’s closeness to his family and friends is exactly what brought him to Youngstown State.

Two years ago, the Sharon, Pa., native, fresh out Kennedy Catholic High School, was a redshirt freshman starter at West Virginia University. He was playing on a team that was competing for a BCS national title and playing in a major bowl game.

The Mountaineers went 11-2 that season and beat Oklahoma 48-28 in the Fiesta Bowl.

But in addition to homesickness, there were also coaching changes with the Mountaineers after that season. Those two things led Rodemoyer back home and to the Penguins.

“I really missed my family,” Rodemoyer said. “Then with the coaching changes and everything, I just felt the best move for me was to come back home. I’ve always followed the Penguins and knew of their great tradition.”

Unfortunately for Rodemoyer, the Penguins struggled through a 4-8 season a year ago, despite the fact that he was part of what many considered one of the better offensive lines in YSU history.

“We had talent that’s for sure, but at the same time we were playing like five individuals, instead of playing as a unit,” Rodemoyer said. “It wasn’t all our fault, but we contributed to the season.”

Rodemoyer was a first-team All-PIAA selection as a lineman his senior year at Kennedy and played on a team that was 9-3 and lost to Coudersport in the state playoffs.

He also played basketball for the Eagles and was a member of the honor roll.

He was recruited by Rich Rodriquez at West Virginia and redshirted his freshman year in 2006 when the Mountaineers went 11-2 and won the Gator Bowl.

In 2007, he started six games for the Mountaineers and played in 10 at right guard. He participated in on 425 plays, including a season high 88 snaps against South Florida.

West Virginia had two 1,000 yard rushers that year, averaged 297.2 yards rushing per game and won the Big East Championship.

“I don’t regret it one bit coming here,” Rodemoyer said. “I really love it here and my family enjoys having me so close.

Last year, Rodemoyer came in and played in all 12 games, starting 10 across the offensive line.

He made eight starts at right guard and two at right tackle.

He was credited with 673 snaps, third most on the O-line. He was the Penguins Offensive Lineman of the game at Ohio State and again at Missouri State.

“There is a big difference in this team this spring, especially on the line,” Rodemoyer said. “We are playing as a unit now and we just keep getting closer and closer together.”

Rodemoyer said that he can see a big difference in the play of senior quarterback Brandon Summers this spring.

“He knows his way around back there now and he’s much more comfortable and it really shows in his play,” Rodemoyer said.

He also knows that he’ll be called upon to be more of a leader this year even though he is just a junior.

“We’ve got a lot of young players coming up on the line and I’m there for any of them if they need help,” he said. “I’m not always the most vocal leader, but I will lead by example.”

mollica@vindy.com