Updated WVU Defensive Depth Chart Featuring All Newcomers

Projecting what the Mountaineers' defense could look like this fall.

Oklahoma's Nic Anderson (4) tries to get by West Virginia's Ben Cutter (15) in the first half of a / SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY

The following defensive depth chart does include all transfers and incoming freshman that I believe will be in contention for playing time this fall.

DE: Sean Martin, T.J. Jackson, Zac Keith, Taurus Simmons

NT: Fatorma Mulbah, Hammond Russell IV, Corey McIntyre Jr., Nate Gabriel

DT: Edward Vesterinen, Asani Redwood, Elijah Kinsler

Corey McIntyre Jr. would have been the third option at nose, but it appears he will be out for quite a while, perhaps missing a chunk of the 2024 season. Asani Redwood was out for the spring recovering from an injury, but is expected to be good for the season. The d-line isn’t as quite as deep as it was a year ago, but they still have 6-7 guys that they can count on.

SPUR: Tyrin Bradley, Ty French, Obinna Onwuka, Oryend Fisher OR Makai Byerson

WVU loses Jared Bartlett, but replaces him with Ty French - one of the best pass rushers in all of FCS. Obi Onwuka should get some action as a true freshman, grooming him for a starting role in 2025.

WILL: Trey Lathan, Ben Cutter, Jai Faverus, Curtis Jones Jr.

MIKE: Reid Carrico, Josiah Trotter, Caden Biser, Rickey Williams

For the first time in well, ever, the Mountaineers are six deep at the linebacker position. I fully expect Trotter to push for the starting job at MIKE.

SPEAR: Aubrey Burks, Raleigh Collins OR Zae Jennings

CAT: Anthony Wilson, Aden Tagaloa-Nelson, Jacob Boyce

FS: Jaheem Joseph, Josiah Jackson, Jason Cross Jr., Chris Henry

CB: Garnett Hollis Jr., Dontez Fagan, Jacolby Spells

CB: Ayden Garnes, TJ Crandall, Jordan Jackson, Keyon Washington

Burks got some action at spear in the spring and although he stated he’s not fully switching positions, I do believe playing him there gets your best eleven on the field. Jacolby Spells will be worked back into the rotation once he recovers from his injury. There’s a chance his recovery spills over into the season.

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