Pat Eger  2006-08

During his days at Thomas Jefferson, Pat Eger was a star in a football program that defined consistency.

Year-in and year-out, Eger and the Jaguars — under the leadership of head coach Bill Cherpak – won nearly every game and captured two PIAA titles.

Eger is in his senior season at West Virginia University, a program that has had plenty of success but is the opposite of Thomas Jefferson in that seemingly each year during the local product's career the program has endured a major change.

During his time with the Mountaineers, WVU has changed both conferences and head coaches, all while Eger has played at every position on the offensive line.

What is consistent, however, is Eger continues to be a top player. WVU's starting center, he's a key piece of a 4-5 team that is trying to salvage its season.

“We haven't been winning as many games as we wanted to, but the good thing is we're building and getting better every week,” Eger said. “Our goal is to win out and go to a good bowl game.”

Eger redshirted as a freshman in 2009, and served as a backup offensive tackle in 2010. The Mountaineers, coached by Bill Stewart, won a combined 18 games, a Big East Conference championship, and made Gator Bowl and Orange Bowl appearances.

In 2011, Eger grabbed the starting right tackle job as the Mountaineers went 10-3 and won the Big East title again — all the while there were significant changes in the program as WVU hired a new head coach in Dana Holgersen.

The unsteadiness continued to swirl around the program again in 2012 as WVU moved out of the crumbling Big East and into the Big 12, an unsteady conference itself that was enduring the departures of Colorado, Texas A&M and Missouri, and dealing with the rumored defections of Texas and Oklahoma.

WVU, meanwhile, struggled in that first Big 12 season. After starting 5-0 and making it as high as No. 5 in the Associated Press national rankings, the Mountaineers lost six of their final eight games.

The 6-foot-6, 302-pound Eger was moved all over the offensive line that season. He started at right tackle and right guard, then saw time at left guard as well.

Amid the turmoil, Eger did what he's always done. He played consistently good football, earning All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention designation.

This season has been more of the same for Eger, as he's played both guard positions and now is the starting center.

Ever the team player, Eger didn't complain about the position switches or even name a favorite spot.

“My favorite position is wherever I can play to make this team better,” he said. “If they want me to play fullback and smack someone on the goal line, I will. I've played everywhere, and I've enjoyed every position.”

As for the conference shuffling, Eger said the style of play, in addition to the level of competition, is different.

“Its' a different style of football than in the Big East,” he said. “The Big East, it was more ground and pound it. In the Big 12, there's more five-wide, drop back and throw passes all game.

“Plus, every week is a tough game in the Big 12. Sometimes in the Big East, you knew it was going to be an easier week because whoever it was we were playing was having an off year. In the Big 12, it's a battle every week.”

WVU, still seeking bowl eligibility, has games remaining with Texas (6-2, 5-0), Kansas (2-6, 0-5) and Iowa State (1-7, 0-5).

Eger said he can't believe his college career is winding down so quickly.

“I honestly can't believe how fast it's gone,” he said. “I remember my first day here like it was yesterday. I remember moving here with my mom, everything I ate that day, everything that happened.”

Finishing his college days in style by winning out is his priority.

After that?

“I'd love to play at the next level,” said Eger, who graduated with a degree in multidisciplinary studies and is pursuing a master's in sports management. “That's been my goal since I can remember.

“I have to work (hard), finish this season, then, after this season, get ready and train for our pro day. But right now, I'm only worried about this season.”