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Safeties Harper, Tyler primed for larger roles in 2016

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Jarrod Harper closed fast on the throw and belted a receiver into the Iowa State bench. Jeremy Tyler shed a 6-foot-5 blocker and simultaneously stripped the ballcarrier.

Two plays by two juniors on Saturday that offered a glimpse into West Virginia’s safeties for 2016, when three-fifths of the secondary must be replaced.

“I just have a better feel for the game,” said Harper, whose timetable was expedited when All-American strong safety candidate Karl Joseph tore an ACL in practice Oct. 6. “Losing Karl was a big deficit to our defense, but I know what I’m capable of.