LARAMIE, Wyo.—There had to be a better way to impress a new coaching staff.
Although he wasn’t at fault, University of Wyoming sophomore defensive lineman Alex Stover had to deal with a pulled hamstring during the Cowboys’ offseason “winning edge” program, and then caught the flu early in the current spring practice sessions.
That’s not conducive to making a positive first impression. But what’s a guy to do?
Although his participation early in UW head coach Dave Christensen’s regime has been limited, the 6-foot-3, 263-pound Gretna (Neb.) native has been able to make the most of it.
“The one thing about Alex is he has been a work-hard guy ever since I’ve been here,” new UW defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery said. “He had a slight hammy problem during our winning-edge program and I couldn’t fully see what he was capable of. And then I’d see him in the weight room and he’s strong as an ox.”
“In the weight room is where it all starts. That’s what we hang our hats on, lifting weights,” Stover said.
A weakened Stover came back from the flu to take part in the team’s first scrimmage, but was involved in only 11 plays.
“Alex had only 11 snaps because he wasn’t feeling well, but they were phenomenal snaps,” Montgomery continued. “He graded out at 87 percent, which is huge.”
“It puts you behind, of course … you’re missing reps,” Stover said of his recent physical setbacks. “These guys do a great job out here during winter conditioning. (Trainer) Robb (Williams) had us over doing stuff with him … the things we could do with the injuries we had.
“When you come down with an illness, you have to take the time off you need. Then you come right back in and try to make up for the time you missed.”
What Montgomery has seen of Stover so far he likes. The Cowboys’ D-line coach has been doubly impressed by the fact that Stover has the tools to play at both the nose guard and defensive end positions.
“Fundamentally, Alex is probably one of our most sound guys technique-wise,” Montgomery said. “He’s pretty strong, his footwork is good, his hands are good and he can be physical.”
“I see a lot of upside in him,” said Montgomery, who was a three-year starter as a defensive tackle at Iowa.
“I think he has an opportunity to be a good player here when he’s 100 percent healthy. He can be an impact player for us inside. What’s nice about him, not only can he play the nose, but can play defensive end, too. He brings a lot to the table that way.
“He’s so nimble on the field that what he brings us is a pass rusher from the nose tackle, which is huge. So, I’m really excited about his upside. Obviously, he has to get on the field more because he has been down. He’s a hard worker and go-getter, that’s for sure.”
Stover said his work ethic and high energy level are the result of the game itself.
“It comes from a love of the game,” Stover said. “You come out here and practice hard. Everybody here is doing what they love. It’s easy to go hard when you are having fun.”
Stover came to Wyoming in the fall of 2007 after an impressive prep career at Gretna High School.
Although he played at the Class B level in Nebraska, Stover had all the physical tools and was known as a player with a “high motor.”
He was good enough to make not only first team All-State on the Class B level, but to be named to the All-Nebraska squad for all classifications as a senior. Rivals.com ranked Stover as the No. 8 overall recruit in its Nebraska Top 10 Prospects in February of 2007.
Stover spent his first year at UW as a redshirt while learning the college game. It was a natural move in that the Cowboys had three sophomores starting in the D-line in John Fletcher, Fred Givens and Mitch Unrein.
As a redshirt freshman this past season, Stover still had Fletcher, Givens and Unrein in front of him, but he played in nine games on a limited basis to earn his first Wyoming letter.
While Stover still has to deal with the now senior trio of Fletcher, Givens and Unrein, it appears as though Stover has come far enough to merit more playing time under Montgomery and the new staff.
“I may have three seniors, but that doesn’t mean those three seniors are going to be starters,” Montgomery said. “Everybody has to earn their spots.”
Stover is not concerned about his role … he just wants to play.
“That’s the way it is when you have older guys in front of you,” Stover said. “You have to understand where you are going to fit in terms of the scheme of things. I’m happy with where I am at this point in time.”
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Information from: Laramie Daily Boomerang – Laramie,
