Fleming: The missing piece

When it came time to select a college football program Iowa graduate transfer Maurice Fleming treated it completely as a business decision and that line of thinking led him straight to West Virginia.

Fleming, 6-foot, 205-pounds, had spent four years at Iowa including his redshirt season and after spring practice wanted to see what options he could have for an increased role in playing time somewhere else. The decision to leave Iowa wasn’t easy but you have to start a new journey somewhere and in the end the game of football is a business.

So insert defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, who became the point-man in the recruitment of Fleming and the two hit it off quickly as the Mountaineers had an obvious need at cornerback.

Considering the fact that Fleming was immediately eligible he wanted to find a place where he could battle to become a starter and remain at the highest level of college football. West Virginia provided that and he was able to get a look first-hand on his visit last Wednesday and Thursday.

“Just looking at how they play defense. I like coach Gibson and just coming in at West Virginia I’ll have a chance to make plays and do something special,” he said. “It was just something about West Virginia. It was just a feeling that I got.”

Before the end of his visit Fleming had made his college choice and it would be Morgantown where he would spend his final season enrolling in the master’s program there. And there is no question what his goals are during his last go around at the college level.

“If I didn’t think I could compete for the starting role I wouldn’t be attending West Virginia,” Fleming said. “Coach Gibson didn’t have to say much we just watched the film and what was all on the field speaks for itself.”

Out of respect for the other programs recruiting him Fleming did not name any of the other contenders for his services but said it was important that he was able to sit down and talk football with the coaching staff during the course of his two-day stay. However, in the end his decision to commit to the Mountaineers was not necessarily a difficult one given the needs of both parties.

In Fleming West Virginia finds a prospect that has not only plus cover abilities but valuable experience over the course of his career that he can impart onto the other players in the cornerback room.

“I want to come in and try to be a leader. They have a lot of young guys and guys that don’t have a lot of experience and I’m coming from Iowa and can help with teaching the game of football,” he said.

Fleming is not sure when he will arrive on campus in Morgantown yet for his final season but anticipates it being sometime in the next couple weeks. He is excited for the opportunity to further bond with his new teammates and familiarize himself with the West Virginia defense.

Aside from possibly earning a starting role, Fleming is looking forward to the possibility of winning games and finishing his career on a high note with aspirations of playing in the NFL. He isn’t placing any expectations on himself entering the program but he does believe he will showcase to fans that he is a hard worker and always gives a full effort on the field.

“I’m blessed. I get to go to a school that loves football and is energetic on the football field,” he said. “Just talking football with them it seems like I was the missing piece.”

PREMIUM LINK: Fleming brings a lot to the table (insight from Iowa writers)

PREMIUM LINK: Commitment 101: Maurice Fleming (breaking down what it means)