West Virginia finished the season 6-7 in 2024 and with that came a coaching change with Rich Rodriguez taking over the football program.
So, WVSports.com takes a look at just how much the Mountaineers have set to return in 2025 in regards to both snaps and production on the defensive side of the ball.
What do the Mountaineers have coming back on defense before the additions made to the roster through the transfer portal and recruiting?
–West Virginia returns just six of the top 20 players in terms of snaps played from a season ago. That list includes No. 11 S Kekoura Tarnue (414 snaps), No. 12 DL Asani Redwood (372 snaps), No. 14 DL Hammond Russell (325 snaps), No. 16 LB Reid Carrico (282 snaps). No. 17 LB Ben Cutter (222 snaps) and No. 20 S Israel Boyce (138 snaps).
–Those who will not return are No. 1 S Anthony Wilson (810 snaps), No. 2 S Jaheem Joseph (733 snaps), No. 3 LB Trey Lathan (676 snaps), No. 4 CB Garnett Hollis (645 snaps), No. 5 Josiah Trotter (628 snaps), No. 6 DL Sean Martin (601 snaps), No. 7 EDGE Tyrin Bradley (554 snaps), No. 8 CB Dontez Fagan (528 snaps), No. 9 DL T.J. Jackson (520 snaps), No. 10 DL Fatorma Mulbah (496 snaps), No. 13 EDGE Ty French (338 snaps), No. 15 CB Ayden Garnes (308 snaps), No. 18 S Aubrey Burks (219 snaps) and No. 19 CB Jacolby Spells (143 snaps)
–This unit has been hit with a massive wave of departures at essentially every position across the board with the new coaching staff arriving in Morgantown.
–On the defensive line the Mountaineers must replace Sean Martin, T.J. Jackson, Fatorma Mulbah and that’s a bulk of the starting snaps and a total of 113 tackles and 11 of the total 15.5 sacks recorded by the defensive line during last season. The Mountaineers have brought in transfers to help with the pass rush and to round out the roster, but the defensive line will welcome back Edward Vesterinen after he missed all but two games a season ago.
–West Virginia will also bring back Asani Redwood, Hammond Russell and Nate Gabriel.
–Linebacker also was equally hit as hard losing 252 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2 interceptions after the starters at both inside spots as well as on the edge exited. That means that in terms of production, West Virginia brings back 101 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
–At safety with Keke Tarnue, Israel Boyce and Zae Jennings brings back a combined 49 tackles and 0.5 sacks but loses a significant chunk of production with 155 tackles and 3 interceptions.
–Finally at cornerback, West Virginia is getting a completely fresh start with all of the snaps played from a season ago and production gone from the roster.
–That has made the focus of the transfer portal to fill these various needs critical and why there’s been so much roster turnover and additions to replace what has been lost from experienced pieces elsewhere.
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