Projected 2023 WVU Football Spring Depth Chart - Defense
DE: Sean Martin, Jalen Thornton, Zeiqui Lawton, Brayden Dudley
This is going to be a breakout year for Sean Martin. We've all kind of been waiting for it. This is his time to shine. Behind him, there are a lot of question marks. WVU needs one of these three backups to separate themselves in the spring or they may need to hit the portal for some help.
DT: Edward Vesterinen, Davoan Hawkins, Asani Redwood
The Tennessee State transfer, Hawkins, will likely be the starter by Week 1 but for now, we'll roll with Vesterinen. I really like the depth of this position, especially if Redwood makes the jump everyone expects him to in year two of the program.
NG: Mike Lockhart, Fatorma Mulbah, Hammond Russell IV
I'm not really sure what to expect from this group. There's not really any star power here, but it's not in terrible shape. Lockhart saw action on 260 snaps a year ago, so he will be penciled in as the starter. However, Mulbah (Penn State transfer) and Russell have the ability to challenge for playing time. I just don't know if either will be heavily rotated in.
BANDIT: Jared Bartlett, Taurus Simmons, James Heard Jr., Aric Burton
Simmons can put his hand in the dirt as a defensive end, but I think they'll move him to spear permanently with the loss of Lanell Carr to Indiana. James Heard Jr. is the one to watch here. He's going to be an all-league player at some point. How soon will it click for him? Could it be year one?
MIKE: Lee Kpogba, Tirek Austin-Cave, Josiah Trotter
Don't be surprised to see the true freshman, Trotter, make some moves here. I don't know if he'll make his way into the starting lineup, but I do see him being someone WVU rotates in at some point next fall. He's a true MIKE backer, but they may move him around some just to get him on the field this year. Former Miami transfer Tirek Austin-Cave needs to make some progress and become more than a special teamer.
WILL: Lance Dixon, Trey Lathan, Ben Cutter, Jairo Faverus
Much like Trotter at MIKE, Cutter is someone the coaching staff is really high on and they believe he could make an impact on the defensive side of the ball very early in his career. The good thing is, he won't have to be thrown into situations he's not quite ready for as Dixon enters his third year in the program.
SPEAR: Davis Mallinger, Raleigh Collins, Jaylon Shelton, Caleb Coleman
Mallinger is still working his way back from injury, so not really sure where he is in terms of his rehab process but he should be good to go by fall camp. Aside from him, there are a lot of different guys that can be thrown here at the spear. I went with Collins, who played the position some last year, Shelton, and Coleman. This will probably look completely different once we inch closer to the season.
CB: Montre Miller, Marcis Floyd, Josiah Jackson
According to the team site, Marcis Floyd has transitioned to corner after playing CAT safety a year ago. This might be a better fit for him considering it's what he played while at Murray State. That said, he'll likely back up Kent State transfer Montre Miller.
CB: Andrew Wilson-Lamp OR Jacolby Spells
We'll see a heavy split of reps here between Wilson-Lamp and the former consensus four-star recruit, Spells. I don't think it matters who starts, both of these kids can absolutely fly but have some developing to do.
FS: Aubrey Burks, Hershey McLaurin
With Burks penciled in as the starter, McLaurin may be someone to watch to move to spear. He's a little bit bigger than who they've had there in years past and that's what they want that position to look like. For now, we'll have him backing up Burks.
CAT: Malachi Ruffin, Christion Stokes
With Floyd moving to corner, Ruffin slides into a starting role. Stokes didn't see any action last year due to redshirting, but he makes the most sense as a potential No. 2.
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