WVU Camp Storylines: DL Depth
West Virginia is set to open fall camp Tuesday as players report over the weekend. WVSports.com examines some of the major storylines to follow throughout the course of the next two weeks. Today we look at defensive line depth.
There is no question that the top three options on the defensive line are set for West Virginia entering fall camp as the unit is the most experienced on the entire Mountaineers defense. Three seniors in Noble Nwachukwu, Christian Brown and Darrien Howard return to anchor the position group.
Between the trio they have started a total of 40 games, while appearing in 100 games during the course of their careers. Nwachukwu is the returning leader in sacks in the Big 12 Conference and a preseason all-Conference selection while the other two are valuable, experienced options.
But behind those three there are questions and the situation is murky.
Senior defensive end Larry Jefferson was suspended during the spring and will not be rejoining the team. That leaves a number of young, unproven players to step in and contribute this fall.
In the Big 12 Conference there is a need for at least six defensive linemen in order to keep people fresh in the up-tempo conference and while there are bodies it will be about figuring it all out.
Redshirt junior Jon Lewis was recently put on scholarship and will be counted on to provide depth at one of the spots on the defensive line, while redshirt junior Xavier Pegues also could be an option along with redshirt sophomore Jaleel Fields.
The Mountaineers also will welcome a late addition to the program Aug. 1 when junior college sophomore defensive end Brandon Lawless will attempt to work his way into the rotation.
Behind those players the Mountaineers will be forced to rely on a number of freshmen. Redshirt freshmen Adam Shuler and Alec Shriner are both ready to compete for time at their respective positions at defensive end and nose guard and West Virginia also experimented with moving offensive lineman Chase Behrndt over to work at nose guard during camp.
True freshman Reese Donahue was one of the standouts during the spring and defensive coordinator Tony Gibson has already made it clear that he will not be redshirting. Expect Donahue to see the field early in his career at several positions due to his high motor while another true freshman that enrolled in the spring in Jeffery Pooler also could be a potential option.
West Virginia has three proven options now, but finding that next group will be one of the key storylines over the course of fall camp. Let the race begin.