Contributors: Lisa Ammons, John Antonik, Coleman Barnes, Maddie Bartley, Chris Coombs, Adam Grossman, Phil Lynch, Bryan Messerly, Charles Montgomery, Farris Murad, Amy Prunty, Lori Rice, Olivia Sneed, Matthew Stainthorpe, Liz Stash, Wil Swan
Design: Joe Swan and Kristin Coldsnow (covers)
Printing: Morgantown Printing & Binding
Photography: All-Pro Photography by Dale Sparks, Bill Amatucci Sr., Bill Amatucci Jr., Kim Amatucci, Associated Press, Joel Auerbach, Baltimore Ravens, Paul Barnick, Bob Beverly, Lee Brown, Buffalo Bills, Nick Caito/ESPN Images, Pat Carrigan, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Larry Coley, Tony Constantine, Garrett Cullen, M.G. Ellis, Pete Emerson, ESPN, Dan Friend, Morgan Goff, Jake Herron, Ty Hundley, Ken Inness, Jacksonville Jaguars, Frank Jacquez, Frank Jansky, Jeremiah Jhass, Brent Kepner, Christie Kepner, Kevin Kinder, Alex King, Kevin Koski/NFLPA, Greg Kullman, Laughead Photography, Jim Lawther, Chuck LeClaire, Tim Lilley, Scott Lituchy, Los Angeles Rams, David Malecki, Chuck Meyers, William McBride, Miami Dolphins, Tyson Murray, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Brian Persinger, Pittsburgh Steelers, Steve Prunty, Ben Queen, Alyssa Reeves, Ron Rittenhouse Collection, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Jenny Shephard, Parker Sheppard, Dan Shrensky, Corey Slider, Van Slider, Matt Sunday, Tennessee Titans, Allison Toffle, Tiffany Vannoy, West Virginia Collection, William Wotring/The Dominion Post, WVU Athletic Archives, WVU
Photographic Services, John Wickline, Ron Wong, Bill Wright
5th QUARTER
Chambers Elite Climbers Travel the Globe for Educational and Networking Opportunities
The 5th Quarter program provides education and resources needed to develop Mountaineer student-athletes holistically. Better people make better Mountaineers, and through this program, WVU student-athletes are positioned for success, not only on the playing field, but also in life beyond graduation.
The Chambers Elite Climbers program provides select WVU Football student-athletes more advanced opportunities for development within the 5th Quarter program. The Climbers program is the premier, enhanced, off-the-field development program in all of college football. The career preparation, cultural field trips, humanitarian efforts and networking opportunities shape the future of the student-athletes. In addition, being able to study abroad provides an amazing lifetime experience that few college football players ever get to experience.
In the past two years, the Chambers Elite Climbers have traveled within the United States and Europe for educational, cultural and networking opportunities. In February, the Climbers visited New York City, enjoying professional networking opportunities with WVU graduates running businesses in the Big Apple, as well as other unique experiences like a Broadway show, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Stock Exchange.
In May, the Chambers Elite Climbers spent a week in Germany, visiting various universities, organizations and landmarks in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Munster and Munich. The Climbers spent three nights in microgroups, visiting Greece, Italy, Spain and England. The student-athletes met back up in Paris and had the opportunity to engage with program benefactors John and Elaine Chambers before attending Europe’s biggest startup and tech event, Vivatech. To close the two-week study abroad, the Climbers were able to explore Paris, enjoying the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower and so many other things that the host city of the 2024 Olympics had to offer.
John and Elaine Chambers give $1.6M gift to 5th Quarter Program
WVU Football’s 5th Quarter program created a unique educational opportunity for select student-athletes thanks to a nearly $1.6 million gift from WVU alumni John and Elaine Chambers. The Chambers Elite Climbers is a supplemental two-year program that provides additional personal and professional growth opportunities to student-athletes chosen through a competitive application process. Each cohort will dive deeper into key areas of interest – entrepreneurship and innovation, technology, financial education and communications – through a variety of educational resources, complete a study-abroad experience and select a West Virginia-focused humanitarian venture to pursue each year.
Serve and Develop Complete Mountaineers … Mountain Men Who Will Earn Their Degree, Earn Football Championships And Earn The Respect Of The Campus and Community.
5TH QUARTER FIVE PILLARS OF DEVELOPMENT
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
WVU FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES WORK TO DISCOVER AND DEVELOP THEIR PERSONAL BELIEFS, HABITS, MORALS & IDEALS.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
WVU FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES DISCOVER THEIR LEADERSHIP STYLE AND DEVELOP A PERSONAL LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY.
REAL LIFE
WVU FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES ARE EDUCATED ON ISSUES AND TOPICS THEY WILL ENCOUNTER IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
WVU FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES ARE EXPOSED TO CAREER PATHS, MAJOR EXPLORATION & PRACTICAL CAREER EXPERIENCE.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
WVU FOOTBALL STUDENT-ATHLETES POSITIVELY IMPACT SOCIETY THROUGH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, SOCIAL AWARENESS & COMMUNITY SERVICE.
The Bridge Program provides Mountaineer student-athletes with structured programming to assist in their transition to college and ultimately into their lives after football.
1998 – Eric de Groh, Shawn Foreman, Tanner Russell, Boo Sensabaugh
1997 – Curtis Keaton, Steve Lippe
1996 – Bernardo Amerson, Charles Emanuel
“Championships are won by those who embrace hard work and have the discipline to tolerate discomfort.”
Mike Joseph
Assistant
Athletics Director/Head Coach for Football Strength and Conditioning
From left: Head Coach for Football Strength and Conditioning Mike Joseph, Wyatt Milum, Sean Martin, Garrett Greene, Preston Fox, Austin Brinkman and Head Coach Neal Brown
AVERY WILCOX
2024 Tommy Nickolich Memorial Award Winner As The Program’s Top Walk-On
“I wasn’t expecting it at first, but I’m definitely glad it happened. It’s an honor to be recognized for an award like this. I definitely appreciate it. Knowing my dad (Ray Wilcox, 1992 Nickolich Award winner) went through a similar struggle, it was easy to be able to confide in him and talk to him. He offered me advice throughout the process. I was lucky enough to talk to him after the game, and it was a pretty special moment for me and my family,”
C.J. COLE
2023 Tommy Nickolich Memorial Award winner as the program’s top walk-on
“Just to have my name mentioned in the same sentence as Tommy Nickolich makes me proud. I take a lot of pride in being a good person and a hard worker. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my work ethic. As I’m here, I want to inspire those around me to work even harder. That’s one of my roles on this team. There are a lot of things you can measure – speed and strength – but one thing you can’t measure is heart. Going back to my work ethic, I feel that every single time I step under the squat rack, benching or lining up for sprints, I am picturing myself in the game. When you have the opportunity, you have to take advantage of it.”
NICK MALONE
2022 Tommy Nickolich Memorial Award winner as the program’s top walk-on
“At West Virginia, we don’t get treated as a walk-on. The culture here, everybody is one. But being a Morgantown guy, and a walk-on, it’s a privilege to earn the Nickolich Award. I’m blessed to get it, and it was a very good feeling when I heard my name called.”
WALK-ONS WHO HAVE EARNED SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER NEAL BROWN
“When I came here, I knew I was going to have to grind and that was sort of the goal. Three touchdowns (against Duquesne) is a crazy accomplishment, especially for a first game, but that scholarship was the biggest thing for me. I’m grinding for something, I’m grinding for this scholarship, but now that I’ve got it, it doesn’t mean the work is done.”
– Hudson Clement
NAJEE GOODE
Member of 2018 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles
“When I fir st walked on, I was just trying to get to the next level. For me, that next level was getting a scholarship and playing hard. After I got there, the next level was to become a consistent starter and a good leader. Once I did that, it was keep improving and maybe have the possibility of playing in the NFL. It was a long shot. I was hoping and praying for it, and I just kept working hard. Now that it’s here, I still can’t believe it.”
DANTE BONAMICO
OSMAN KAMARA 2020 LORENZO DORR 2020
AUSTIN BRINKMAN 2021
CASEY LEGG 2021
GRAESON MALASHEVICH 2021
TYLER SUMPTER 2021
MALACHI RUFFIN 2021
PRESTON FOX 2022
NICK MALONE 2022
CADEN BISER 2023
HUDSON CLEMENT 2023
CHARACTER
Public, land-grant institution, founded in 1867. Across the three campuses of the WVU System in Morgantown, Keyser and Beckley, West Virginia University is changing lives and helping to create a brighter future. Our purpose remains to bring education, healthcare and prosperity to our state. WVU is one of only five flagship, R1, land-grant, community-engaged universities in the nation.
RESEARCH CLASSIFICATION
R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity, as described by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
ACCREDITATION
WVU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Many programs hold specialized accreditation.
GOVERNANCE
The WVU Board of Governors is the University’s governing body. The Higher Education Policy Commission in West Virginia is responsible for developing, establishing and overseeing the implementation of a public policy agenda for the state’s four-year colleges and universities. E. Gordon Gee is WVU’s 24th president.
CAMPUS LOCATIONS AND FACILITIES
The WVU System is a family of distinctive campuses united by a single mission. From the groundbreaking research of our flagship in Morgantown to the student-centered focus of WVU Potomac State College in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Institute of Technology in Beckley, we are creating a better future for West Virginia and the world.
The WVU Institute of Technology offers 25+ majors, including undergraduate engineering programs that have consistently ranked among the top in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report.
WVU Potomac State College offers 60+ majors and combines the personal attention of a small college with the affordable benefits of a major university.
The WVU System also includes Health Sciences locations in Charleston and Martinsburg; School of Nursing campuses in Morgantown, Charleston, Keyser, Bridgeport and Beckley; farms and forests throughout the state; and WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp.
The WVU Morgantown campus is in a town that was named the “No. 1 Small City in America” by BizJournals.com for its exceptional quality of life. Morgantown was also rated the ninth best college town in America by Business Insider and is within easy traveling distance of Washington, D.C., to the east, Pittsburgh, Pa., to the north, and Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, to the northwest.
STUDENT PROFILE
Fall 2023 WVU System enrollment was 26,000+
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
WVU recipients of prestigious scholarships include 25 Rhodes Scholars, 106 Gilman Scholars, 81 Fulbright Scholars, 50 Goldwater Scholars, 41 Critical Language Scholars, 29 Boren Scholars, 26 Truman Scholars, 6 Morris K. Udall Scholars, 5 USA Today All-USA College Academic First Team Members (and 11 academic team honorees), 3 Department of Homeland Security Scholars, 4 George C. Marshall (British) Scholars, 34 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, one Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholar and one Schwarzman Scholar.
R1 RESEARCH INSTITUTION HIGHLIGHTS
WVU is one of only 146 colleges and universities to attain a ranking of R1, or very high research activity, alongside such institutions as Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Johns Hopkins.
WVU researchers are exploring the frontier in neuroscience research at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, doing groundbreaking work on Alzheimer’s disease and addiction
treatment using focused ultrasound to safely open the blood brain barrier (reported by “60 Minutes,” the New York Times, New England Journal of Medicine, the Washington Post and more).
WVU researchers are exploring the farthest reaches of the universe: dozens helped uncover evidence of ripples in space time.
WVU is one of two or three universities that serve as a majorhub for all branches of science contributing to NANOGrav – a galaxy-sized detector that is beginning to detect the gravitational universe.
Maura McLaughlin, Eberly Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, an internationally renowned WVU astrophysicist was selected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors in the scientific world.
WVU’S PURPOSE CENTER FIRST ON ANY COLLEGE CAMPUS
The Purpose Center offers self-discovery and connection opportunities, including purpose and strengths workshops and oneon-one coaching sessions. We help students use their strengths to reach their full potential (for free).
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Twelve Morgantown colleges and schools offer 310 majors in agriculture and natural resources; applied and human sciences; arts and sciences; business and economics; creative arts and media; dentistry; engineering and mineral resources; law; medicine; nursing; pharmacy; and public health. Hundreds of distance education and online classes are available.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Students can choose from among more than 450 student organizations or participate in an active intramural program and a variety of club sports.
SERVICE AND LEARNING
The Center for Service and Learning develops and organizes service learning and volunteer opportunities for students and faculty. WVU is one of only 75 schools recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for Community Engagement (recognized since 2010).
PARENTS CLUB
The Mountaineer Parents Club, with 20,000-plus members, connects parents and families with the student experience.
ALUMNI
Chartered in 1873, the WVU Alumni Association is made up of more than 210,000+ graduates worldwide in some 135 nations.
LIBRARIES
The WVU Libraries encompass seven libraries statewide. Facilities in Morgantown include the Downtown Campus Library, Evansdale Library, Health Sciences Library, Law Library and the West Virginia and Regional History Center. Onsite collections include more than 936,000 books, 1.5+ million e-books and 700+ databases.
ADMISSION AND APPLICATION TIMELINE
It’s painless to apply — no required essays or recommendations, students are automatically considered for scholarships and can be admitted with or without ACT or SAT scores. Test scores may be required for certain majors or scholarships. Apply directly to WVU or use the Common Application. WVU offers a rolling admission (there is no official application deadline). Applicants can self-report courses and grades or submit a transcript to the WVU Office of Admissions. All students are required to submit an official final high school transcript upon enrolling. Applications are processed beginning Aug. 22 for admission the following fall. March 1 is the deadline for West Virginia residents to submit Promise Scholarship applications. Visit admissions.wvu.edu to learn more, including how to submit official transcripts and test scores.
ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Class Exp. Hometown/High School/Previous School
62 Kyle Altuner OL 6-3 288 Fr. HS Olney, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel
0 Jaylen Anderson RB 5-11 215 r-Jr. 2vl Perry, Ohio/Perry
82 Greg Genross TE 6-6 235 r-Jr. TR New York, N.Y./John F. Kennedy/ASA New York/ Dodge City CC Quintin Goins DL 6-3 250 Fr. HS Shenandoah Junction, W.Va./Jefferson
Zach Foster (Alabama, ’14) – Associate Director of Sports Medicine
Kelly Kessler (West Florida, ‘15) – Senior Assistant Director of Sports Medicine
Allie Charleson (Georgia ’21) – Athletic Trainer
Team Information 2023 Record: 9-4
Big 12 Record/Finish: 6-3/T4th
Basic Offense: Spread
Basic Defense: Multiple
Lettermen Returning: 37 (17O/15D/5ST)
Lettermen Lost: 20 (8O/11D/1ST)
Starters Returning: 18 (8O/5D/5ST)
Starters Lost: 10 (3O/6D/1ST)
Lettermen Returning (39) Offense (17)
Jaylen Anderson (RB), Rodney Gallagher III (WR), Hudson Clement (WR), CJ Cole (WR), Treylan Davis (TE), CJ Donaldson Jr. (RB), Preston Fox (WR), Garrett Greene (QB), Ja’Quay Hubbard (OL), Nick Malone (OL), Wyatt Milum (OL), Tomas Rimac (OL), Nicco Marchiol (QB), Kole Taylor (TE), Jahiem White (RB), Jarel Williams (WR), Brandon Yates (OL)
Defense (15)
Caden Biser (LB), Tyrin Bradley Jr. (DL), Aubrey Burks (S), Ben Cutter (LB), Jairo Faverus (LB), Trey Lathan (LB), Sean Martin (DL), Fatorma Mulbah (DL), Asani Redwood (DL), Hammond Russell IV (DL), Taurus Simmons (DL), Jacolby Spells (CB), Edward Vesterinen (DL), Avery Wilcox (S), Anthony Wilson (S)
Specialists (5)
Leighton Bechdel (P/H), Austin Brinkman (LS), Preston Fox (PR/KR), Michael Hayes II (K/KO), Oliver Straw (P)
Lettermen Lost (21)
Offense (8)
Cortez Braham (WR), Devin Carter (WR), Zach Frazier (OL), Luke Hamilton (FB), EJ Horton Jr. (WR), Justin Johnson Jr. (RB), Graeson Malashevich (WR), Doug Nester (OL)
Defense (11)
Jared Bartlett (BAN), Beanie Bishop Jr. (CB), Tomiwa Durojaiye (DL), Davoan Hawkins (DL), Marcus Floyd (S), Lee Kpogba (LB), Mike Lockhart (DL), Hershey McLaurin (Spear), Malachi Ruffin (CB), Jalen Thornton (DL), Andrew Wilson-Lamp (CB)
Specialists (1)
Graeson Malashevich (H)
Starting Experience Returning Offense
Jaylen Anderson (RB/1), Rodney Gallagher III (WR/3), Hudson Clement (WR/8), Treylan Davis (TE/5), CJ Donaldson Jr. (RB/10), Preston Fox (WR/6), Garrett Greene (QB/14), Ja’Quay Hubbard (OL/14), Nick Malone (OL/4), Wyatt Milum (OL/32), Tomas Rimac (OL/16), Nicco Marchiol (QB/1), Kole Taylor (TE/19), Jahiem White (RB/3), Brandon Yates (OL/33)
Defense
Caden Biser (LB/1), Tyrin Bradley (DL/11), Aubrey Burks (S/23), Ben Cutter (LB/7), Trey Lathan (LB/5), Sean Martin (DL/21), Fatorma Mulbah (DL/1), Edward Vesterinen (DL)/14, Anthony Wilson (S/49)
Specialists
Austin Brinkman (LS/38), Preston Fox (PR-KR/28), Michael Hayes II (K-KO/48), Oliver Straw (P/24)
ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
For more information on West Virginia football, contact Assistant Athletics Director/Football Communications Mike Montoro or Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director/Communications
Michael Fragale. Office Phone: 304-293-2821
Press Box Phone: 304-293-3799
Official Web Site: WVUsports.com
Assistant Athletics Director/Football Communications (Primary Contact): Mike Montoro
E-Mail: mike.montoro@mail.wvu.edu
Cell Phone: 304-276-2605
Executive Senior Associate AD/Communications: Michael Fragale
E-Mail: michael.fragale@mail.wvu.edu
Cell: 304-216-3834
Mailing Address:
Athletics Communications Office West Virginia University PO Box 877
• Finished with 147 yards and a TD on 44 carries and four catches for 42 yards
• Had 38 yards on four carries and a touchdown against Duquesne
• Season-best 62 yards on 19 carries with a long of 13 yards against Pitt 2022 (r-Fr.)
• Played in six games
• Finished with 35 carries for 275 yards and two touchdowns
• Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Week (Oklahoma State) after rushing for 155 yards on 15 carries, including a long of 57 yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys
• Led WVU with 69 yards on seven carries against Kansas State with a long of 23
• Made his debut against Towson; finished the game with six carries for 33 yards
2021 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Played running back for coach Matt Rosati at Perry High
• Four-year starter and two-time All-State First Team as a junior and senior
• Rushed for 875 yards and 13 touchdowns in a shortened senior season
• Also recorded nine receptions for 124 yards and two scores
• As a junior, he accounted for 1,086 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns to go with 51 receptions for 833 yards and 11 touchdowns
• Sophomore stats included 638 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, 16 receptions for 241 yards and 10 scores
• Freshman stats showed 918 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, 41 receptions for 568 yards and eight scores, as he earned All-State Second Team honors
Personal
• Son of Walter and Consuela Anderson
• One of six children (3 brothers and 2 sisters)
• Majoring in sport leadership
ANDERSON
RB, 5-9, 198, Fr. IMG Academy
Leesburg, Va.
X: @clayash1
Instagram: @clayash_
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
High School
• Played for coach Kyle Brey at IMG Academy White in Bradenton, Fla.
• Named IMG’s Offensive Most Valuable Player
• Set the IMG rushing record and finished the year as the No. 8 rusher in Florida
• Saw action in 11 games and finished with 2,032 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns
• Averaged 10.4 yards per carry and had eight 100-yard rushing performances
• Registered six catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns
• As a junior, played at Independence High in Ashburn, Virginia
• Earned All-Virginia High School League Region 5D Offense, All-Potomac District First-Team Offense, All-Loudon County Honorable Mention and team MVP honors as a junior
• Finished with 1,170 yards and 18 touchdowns
• Earned All-Potomac District Second-Team Running Back and All-Potomac District First-Team Punter as a sophomore
• Ranked a three-star prospect by On3 and 247Sports
Personal
• Son of Sherri Ash and Kevin and Remington Ash
• One of three children (1 brother,1 sister)
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
XAVIER BAUSLEY 78
OL, 6-4, 310, r-So. Jacksonville State Dunbar, W.Va.
X: @bausleyxavier
Instagram: @xavierbausley78
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
2023 (r-Fr.) - Jacksonville State
• Played for coach Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State
• Named to The Athletic Freshman All-America Second Team and Pro Football Focus College All-CUSA team
• Named to CUSA All-Freshman team
• Started 11 games at right tackle for the Gamecocks
• Key part of an offensive line that led the Gamecocks to third-best rushing offense in FBS
• Helped pave the way for an offense that averaged 236.6 yards per game on the ground and ran for at least 140 yards in every game but one in 2023, including seven games with more than 200 yards and a league-record 522 rushing yards against Louisiana Tech
2022 (Fr.) - Jacksonville State
• Redshirted
High School
• Played for coach Donnie Mays at South Charleston High
• Two-time West Virginia AAA All-State Second Team performer
• Anchored the Black Eagles’ offensive line, which opened the way for an offense that averaged more than 500 yards per game
Personal
• Son of Jason and Kimberly Bausley
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Majoring in computer science
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
JAYLEN
2023 (r-Jr.)
LEIGHTON BECHDEL 98
P/LS, 6-0, 210, r-Sr.
Towson
Towson, Md.
X: @BechdelLeighton
Instagram: @leighton_2
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team
• Saw action in seven games as one of team’s holders
• Ran for a first down off a 17-yard fourth-down fake field goal against the Tar Heels, in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, setting up WVU at the UNC 4-yard line which led to a WVU field goal
2022 (r-So.)
• Saw action against Towson
2021 (r-Fr.)
• Saw action against LIU
2020 (COVID)
• Did not see game action
2019 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
High School
• Played for coach Ryan Pittillo at Towson High
• Two-time Baltimore Sun All-Metro honors as a punter and kicker
• Played for Maryland in the Big 33 Football Classic
• Two-time US All-America honors in lacrosse
Personal
• Son of Kirk and Brenda Bechdel
• One of two children
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in energy land management in May 2023
• Pursuing a master’s degree in business administration
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (r-Fr.)
DEREK BERLITZ 87
DL, 6-1, 264, r-So. Southern Columbia Catawissa, Pa.
X: @Derek_Berlitz
Instagram: @derek_berlitz
• Saw action against Duquesne
• WVU Special Teams Scout Team Champion: BYU
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Played defensive line for coach James Roth at Southern Columbia High
• Two-time All-State First Team selection (2020, 2021)
• Finished with 96 tackles as a senior, including a school-record 15 sacks and 25 tackles for loss
Personal
• Son of Dan and Melissa Berlitz
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Majoring in child development and family studies
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
JAYDEN BELL 37
CB, 5-10, 154, r-Fr.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
X: @jaydenxbell
Instagram: @jayden_bell_1
• Played for coach Roger Hanott at Saint Thomas Aquinas High
• Saw action at safety and cornerback
• Member of three 7A championship teams that finished 36-2, ranked in the top 5 in the state all three years and ranked in the top 10 nationally his final two seasons
• Also participated on the track and field team
Personal
• Son of Grantis and Carla Bell
• Father was former WVU receiver and is a current NFL back judge
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (r-So.)
BRYCE BIGGS 63
OL, 6-4, 302 r-Jr. Spring Valley Ashland, Ky.
X: @biggs_bryce
Instagram: @bryce_biggs3
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team
• Played in six games
• Added depth at the guard position and used on special teams
• Season-high 24 offensive snaps against Duquesne
• Two knockdowns against Duquesne
• Sustained a season-ending knee injury against BYU
2022 (r-Fr.)
• Saw action against Towson
2021 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Played on the offensive line for coach Brad Dingess at Spring Valley High
• Named all-state first team as a senior
• Team Captain
• High school teammate of current Mountaineer Wyatt Milum and former Mountaineer Doug Nester
• Also played baseball and basketball
Personal
• Son of Brian and Amy Biggs
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in communication studies
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Rol
CADEN BISER 36
LB, 6-0, 230, r-Jr.
Morgantown
Keyser, W.Va.
X: @BiserCaden
Instagram: @Caden.biser36
• Has played in 24 career games with one start
2023 (r-So.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team
• Played in 13 games and started one
• Added depth at mike linebacker and used extensively on special teams
• Used on more than 120 defensive and 150 special teams snaps
• Season-high 34 defensive snaps against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Season-high 23 special teams snaps at Oklahoma
• Finished with 23 tackles, including 12 unassisted, ½ sack and 1½ tackles for loss
• Assisted on four tackles, including a tackle for loss in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Had three solo tackles against BYU
• Season-high six tackles, including four solo stops at UCF
2022 (r-Fr.)
• Played in 11 games, adding depth at mike linebacker
• Finished with eight tackles, including three solo stops and a fumble recovery
• Season-high six tackles against Towson, including three solo stops
2021 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Played at Morgantown High for his father, Sean Biser
• Earned Chuck Howley Award as West Virginia’s top linebacker as a senior
• Earned all-state first team honors and Team MVP as a senior
• Began high-school career at Keyser High, also playing for his father
• Named all-state honorable mention as a junior
• Also wrestled in high school
Personal
• Son of Sean and Sheri Biser
• Father was an offensive lineman at WVU (1990-93)
• Brother Jackson is a defensive lineman on WVU’s football team
• All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Academic Honors
• Dean’s List
2022 (r-Fr.) – Frostburg
• Did not see action due to injury
• Dean’s List
2021 (Fr.) – Frostburg
• Played in two games and earned Academic All-MEC honors
2020 (COVID) – Frostburg
• Played for coach DeLane Fitzgerald at Frostburg
• Redshirted and earned Academic All-MEC honors
High School
• Three-year letterwinner playing for his father, Sean Biser, at Keyser High
• Two-year varsity starter recording 104 tackles including four sacks, 16 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in those two seasons
• Earned All-State First Team as a senior
• Named Area Defensive Player of the Year, earned All-Potomac Valley Conference as a senior and selected to the play in the North-South All-Star Game
• Earned All-Potomac Valley Conference in basketball in 2020
• Earned Academic Honor Society, math honor society and science honor society accolades in 2019-20 Personal
• Son of Sean and Sheri Biser
• Father was an offensive lineman at WVU (1990-93)
• Brother Caden is a linebacker on WVU’s football team
• One of five children (3 brothers, 1 sister)
• Majoring in sport leadership
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
ISRAEL BOYCE 18
S, 5-11, 192. Fr. Douglas County Douglasville, Ga.
X: @israelboyce2024
Instagram: @unobabiii
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
High School
• Played for coach Johnny White at Douglas County High
• Named All-State First Team and All-Region First Team
• Finished his senior year appearing in nine games, registering 51 total tackles, three pass breakups and three interceptions
• Selected Gatorade MVP
• During his junior season he recorded 59 tackles, four interceptions and two forced fumbles for Douglas County High School
Personal
• Son of Tabitha Boyce
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Majoring in entrepreneurship and innovation
CADEN BISER
TYRIN BRADLEY JR. 8
Spur, 6-2, 257, Sr.
Abilene Christian
Lubbock, Texas
X: @tyriinbradley1
Instagram: @tyrinbradley_
• Has played in 24 career games with one start
2023 (Jr.)
• Played in 12 games at bandit end
• Saw action on 324 defensive snaps, including 20 or more snaps every game and had a season-high 35 plays against Texas Tech
• Finished with 22 tackles, including 14 solo stops, 2½ sacks, five tackles for loss, one interception and one pass breakup
• Recorded three solo tackles, including a tackle for loss and his first interception of the season returning it for 24 yards against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Season-high five tackles, including a season-high 1½ tackles for loss and a seasonhigh four solo tackles against Oklahoma State
• Registered three tackles and assisted on a sack at Houston
• Had a seven-yard sack, along with three tackles at TCU
• Recorded a 9-yard sack against Pitt; also had two tackles and a pass breakup
2022 (So.) – Abilene Christian
• Played for coach Keith Patterson at Abilene Christian
• Earned All-WAC First Team honors
• Saw action in 11 games and was used on 622 snaps
• Second-leading tackler on the team with 49 tackles, including 19 unassisted tackles
• Led the team in sacks (4), tackles for loss (10½) and quarterback hurries (14)
• Also had a forced fumble and a pass breakup
• Tied season-high 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries against Stephen F. Austin in the WAC Championship game
• Finished with a sack, 1½ tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries against Sam Houston State
• Registered five tackles, a sack, 1½ tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry against North Dakota
• Had four tackles, including three unassisted, a sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry against Utah Tech
• Finished with three tackles, including a sack, 1½ tackles for loss and a forced fumble against Stephen F. Austin
• Earned WAC Player of the Week honors after finishing with a season-high 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry against Prairie View A&M
• Had six tackles, four solo, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup at Missouri
• Registered five tackles and had two quarterback hurries against Lamar
2021 (Fr.) - Abilene Christian
• Appeared in seven games and saw action on 93 plays
• Finished with nine tackles, including seven solo stops, assisted on a sack and had a tackle for loss
High School
• Played for coach Wayne Hutchinson at Monterey High
• Saw action at quarterback and defensive end
• Appeared in eight games as a senior due to injuries, finishing with 30 tackles, including 15 unassisted tackles, eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss
• Earned all-district honorable mention as a senior and all-district first team as a junior
• As a junior, registered 50 tackles, including six sacks and 10 tackles for loss
Personal
• Son of Antonio Ward Sr. and Reshaunda Pinkard
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in integrated studies
2023 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
NOAH BRAHAM 36
TE, 6-3, 250, r-Fr. University Morgantown, W.Va.
X: @noah_braham
Instagram: @brahamnoah
• Played tight end and linebacker for coach John Kelley at University High
• Moved around positionally in high school, playing linebacker and defensive line for the Hawks
• Suffered an ankle injury at the mid-point of his junior season, limiting his time on the field in the latter half of his junior season and the beginning of his senior season
• As a senior, he totaled 38 receptions for 489 yards and had scored six touchdowns
• As a junior, he caught 16 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns
• On defense as sophomore, he recorded 49 tackles, including 38 solos and three sacks
• Also was used as a punt returner as a sophomore, totaling 15 returns
• West Virginia baseball player of the year
• Earned 5A OVAC baseball player of the year
Personal
• Son of WVU Hall of Fame offensive lineman Rich and Connie Braham
• Father was an All-American offensive lineman at WVU from 1990-93 and played in the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals from 1994-2006
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in finance
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (r-Fr.)
38
DONALD BRANDEL
LB, 6-0, 224, r-So. University Morgantown, W.Va.
X: @BrandelDonald Instagram: @donald.brandel
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Played in five games at mike linebacker
• Used on special teams
• Season-high 10 special teams plays at Oklahoma
• WVU Defensive Scout Team Champion: TCU, UCF
• WVU Special Teams Scout Team Champion: Duquesne
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
• WVU Scout Team Special Teams Champion: Baylor
High School
• Played for coach John Kelley at University High
• Earned All-State First Team as a senior and three-time all-Ccnference
• Finished with more than 300-plus tackles over his career, including 147 stops, three sacks and 13 tackles for loss as a senior
• Named a team captain as a senior
Personal
• Son of Mike and Jayne Brandel
• One of six children (five sisters)
• Majoring in economics
JADEN BRAY 5
WR, 6-2, 206, r-Jr. Oklahoma State
Norman, Okla.
X: @thejadenbray
Instagram: @2ezbray
• Has played in 25 career games, including 11 starts
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
2023 (r-So.) - Oklahoma State
• Played in 10 games at Oklahoma State, including seven starts
• Finished the season with 382 receiving yards on 30 receptions, ranking fourth on the team
• Had a season-high 77 receiving yards against Kansas State where he recorded a season-long catch of 45 yards
• Scored two touchdowns, one in a 48-34 win at WVU, and averaged 12.7 yards per catch
2022 (So.) - Oklahoma State
• Redshirted while missing most of the season due to injury
• Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree
• Saw limited action in three games
• Finished the year with five catches for 54 yards
2021 (Fr.) - Oklahoma State
• Played in 12 games, tying most games by a true freshman and started the final four games of the season
• His six 25-plus yard catches ranked second on the team for the year
• Finished the season with 250 receiving yards to rank fifth on the team and his 13 catches ranked seventh
• Season-best single game receiving total of 84 yards came against Tulsa, and that also led all players in the game
• Scored two touchdowns for the year
• His first touchdown was a 26-yard catch against Tulsa and was the fifth catch of his career, earning him co-offensive player of the week honors
• Second touchdown marked OSU’s first score in the two-point Fiesta Bowl win over No. 5 Notre Dame
• Also had 52 yards in the season opener against Missouri State and 52 yards in the Big 12 Championship game
High School
• Played for coach Rocky Martin at Norman High
• Two-time Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference first team wide receiver
• An all-district performer and wide receiver of the year in 2020
• A Vype Top 100 Mr. Football Nominee (No. 11 in 2020)
• Named the NAA Outstanding Student Athlete in 2019
• Helped lead his team to playoff appearances as a junior and senior
• According to MaxPreps, finished with 471 receiving yards on 32 catches and scored five touchdowns as a senior
• Pulled in 40 catches for nearly 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior in 2019
• Talented basketball player, earning three letters and all-conference honors, as well being named the 2019 Landers MVP
• Member of the honor roll in 2020 and the National Honor Society Student Athlete Advisory Council
Personal
• Son of Alphonzo Bray and Tannica Binder
• Parents are Army veterans
• One of three children (2 sisters)
• Majoring in sport leadership
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Bray’s Receiving Statistics
AUSTIN BRINKMAN 43
LS, 6-4, 243, Sr.
The John Carroll School
Bel Air, Md.
X: @b17_austin
Instagram: @brinkman.austin
• Has played in 38 career games
• Preseason All-American Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
• Preseason All-Big 12 Conference First Team (Phil Steele)
• 2024 Iron Mountaineer Award winner
2023 (Jr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Played in all 13 games as WVU’s starting long snapper for punts, field goals and extra point attempts
• WVU Special Teams Champion: BYU
2022 (So.)
• Played in all 12 games as starting long snapper for punts, field goals and extra points
• Academic All-Big 12 First Team
2021 (Fr.)
• Played in all 13 games as starting long snapper for punts, field goals and extra points
• Academic All-Big 12 First Team
• WVU Special Teams Champion: Texas
2020 (COVID)
• Did not see game action
High School
• Played quarterback, defensive back, tight end and was the team’s long snapper for his father, coach Ken Brinkman, at The John Carroll School
• As a senior, he was an All-Harford County First Team performer at punter and safety
• Earned all-conference first-team honors at quarterback
• Voted team captain and most valuable player
• Finished career with almost 1,000 yards of total offense, four touchdowns receiving and four touchdowns passing
• Averaged 39.0 yards per punt and had four punts inside the opponent’s 20
Personal
• Son of Ken Brinkman and Debbie Basler
• Mother is the Public Schools Supervisor of Athletics for Harford County
• One of four children (1 brother, 2 sisters)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in sport management in December 2023
• Pursuing a master’s degree in business administration
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
AUSTIN BRINKMAN
AUBREY BURKS 2
Spear, 5-11, 206, Sr.
Auburndale
Oakridge, Fla.
X: @aubreyburks14
Instagram: @humble.ab
• Preseason All-Big 12 Conference First Team (Athlon Sports)
• Has played in 29 career games with 23 starts 2023 (Jr.)
• Finished with 47 tackles, including 39 solo stops, 3½ tackles for loss, one sack, four pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery
• Second on the team in interceptions (2)
• Registered four tackles, including three solo stops and an interception, against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Recorded six tackles, including five unassisted tackles and a sack at Baylor
• Posted three solo stops, forced and recovered a fumble against BYU
• Registered five tackles, including four unassisted tackles and a pass breakup, against Oklahoma State
• Season-high seven tackles, including six unassisted tackles, a tackle for loss and two pass breakups, against Texas Tech
• Finished with two tackles, assisted on a tackle for loss and had an interception that he returned for 26 yards against Pitt
• Posted three solo tackles, including one for loss, against Duquesne 2022 (So.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Started all 12 games at safety
• 2022 All-Big 12 Conference Second Team DB (AP)
• 2022 PFF All-Big 12 Team (Defense)
• Team’s second leading tackler with 66, including 46 solo stops, one sack, 4½ tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and two pass breakups
• Totaled at least six tackles in six games
• Tallied five tackles, including a TFL, at Oklahoma State
• Posted five tackles, including four solos and 1½ tackles for loss, against Oklahoma
• Led the team in tackles with nine at Iowa State
• Finished with a career-best 10 tackles at Texas Tech, including the first career sack
• Tallied six tackles for the second consecutive game, intercepted the first pass of his career and registered his first career fumble recovery against Baylor
• Earned his first career start at Pitt and finished with six tackles
2021 (Fr.)
• Played six games at safety before sustaining a season-ending injury against TCU High School
• Played safety for coach Kyle Sasser at Auburndale High
• Saw action in only five games as a senior due to injury, but still totaled 28 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery
• As a junior, finished with 63 tackles, six sacks, 17 tackles for loss, two interceptions, six pass breakups, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries
• As a sophomore in 2018, he totaled 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups and one forced fumble
• In his initial season, he contributed 32 tackles, three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles
Personal
• Son of Tommy and Audrey Burks
• One of two children (1 sister)
• Majoring in leadership
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Burks’ Defensive Statistics
2023
(r-Fr.)
TYLER CAIN 48
LB, 6-2, 232, r-So. Navy Prep
Beaver Falls, Pa.
X: @tylercain08
Instagram: @_.tylercain8._
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Played in four games
• Used on special teams
• Season-high six special teams plays at Baylor
• WVU Special Teams Scout Team Champion: UCF
• WVU Defensive Scout Team Champion: Texas Tech
2022 (Fr.)
• Attended Naval Academy Prep
High School
• Played for coach Nick Nardone at Beaver Falls High
• Two-time All-Midwestern Conference First-Team honors at linebacker and tight end
• Team Captain
• Had 86 tackles, including four sacks as a senior
• Finished with 66 tackles, including five tackles for loss, three interceptions as a junior
• Also had four catches for 70 yards and three touchdowns
• Also played basketball and baseball
Personal
• Son of Ed and Sheila Cain
• One of five children (2 brothers, 2 sisters)
• Majoring in sport and exercise psychology
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
AUBREY BURKS
REID CARRICO 35
LB, 6-2, 229, r-Jr.
Ohio State
Ironton, Ohio
X: @carricoreid
Instagram: @reid.carrico
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
• Has played in 19 career games
2023 (r-So.) - Ohio State
• Played for coach Ryan Day at Ohio State
• Academic All-Big Ten Conference
• Played in the first 10 games of the season, mostly on special teams, before missing the final three games
2022 (r-Fr.) - Ohio State
• Academic All-Big Ten Conference
• Ohio State Scholar-Athlete
• Played in eight games on special teams
2021 (Fr.) - Ohio State
• Ohio State Scholar-Athlete
• Played against Akron, Rutgers, Maryland and Michigan State
High School
• Two-way player and starting running back for coach Trevon Pendleton at Ironton
• First player ever to be named the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Southeast District Player of the Year on offense and defense in the same season
• Earned all-conference first team and all-district honors
• Ohio’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters
• Rushed for 1,544 yards and 25 touchdowns in helping Ironton reach the Division V state championship game
• Rushed for more than 3,000 yards with 48 career touchdowns
• Rated No. 4 player in Ohio and a consensus four-star prospect
• Ranked No. 84 nationally regardless of position by 247Sports.com
• Dubbed nation’s fifth-ranked linebacker prospect Personal
• Son of Shelley and the late Gary Carrico
• His great uncle, Earl Webb, holds the MLB record for most doubles in a season
• WVU’s second-leading rusher (798) and second in rushing touchdowns
• Also had nine catches for 59 yards with a long of 18 yards
• Tied for No. 5 in the Big 12 and No. 39 nationally in rushing touchdowns
• Ranked No. 8 in the Big 12 in touchdowns and No. 10 in rushing yards
• Scored a touchdown in nine straight games during the season and in 10 of 13 games
• Added his 11th rushing touchdown of the season and finished with 20 yards on the ground against Cincinnati
• Scored a rushing touchdown and finished with 79 rush yards at Oklahoma
• Recorded 102 yards and finished with two touchdowns against BYU, his first multiTD game of the year
• Totaled 121 rushing yards at UCF and a rushing touchdown, his sixth straight game
• Scored in the fifth straight game against Oklahoma State; finished with 39 yards rushing
• Posted a rushing touchdown for the fourth straight game at Houston; finishing with 66 yards on the ground
• Added his fourth rushing touchdown of the season at TCU; recorded 61 rushing yards
• Scored his third rushing touchdown of the year against Texas Tech, finishing with 48 yards on the ground
• WVU Offensive Champion (Pitt)
• Registered his first 100-yard performance of the season in the Pitt game, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown
• Ran for 56 yards on 13 attempts, including a long of 14, against Duquesne
• Led WVU in rushing yards in the season opener at Penn State, rushing for 81 yards and a touchdown
2022 (Fr.)
• 2022 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
• Played in seven games, including a start against TCU
• Sustained a season-ending lower leg injury against TCU
• WVU’s second-leading rusher with 526 yards on 87 carries and team-best eight TDs
• Averaged 8.0 yards per carry with a long run of 82 yards
• Had nine receptions for 27 yards with a long of nine yards
• Tallied four 100-yard rushing games in 2022
• Also posted three multi-TD performances
• Ranked No. 8 in the Big 12 in rushing touchdowns (8) and was No. 9 in total touchdowns (8)
• Tallied 104 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns vs. TCU; 73 of his yards came in the first quarter
• Carried the ball a team-best 12 times for 33 yards at Texas Tech; also hauled in two catches at TTU
• WVU Offensive Champion: Virginia Tech
• Totaled 106 yards on a career-high 23 carries at Virginia Tech
• Rushed nine times for 101 yards and scored three touchdowns vs. Towson; one of his touchdowns went for 82 yards
• His 82-yard TD run against the Tigers was the second-longest by a freshman in program history (Eddie Dugan vs. Waynesburg, Oct. 4, 1952 - 90 yards)
• Tallied 48 yards on 13 carries and found the end zone twice against Kansas; first multi-TD game of his career
• Made his Mountaineer debut at Pitt; rushing for a career-high 125 yards on seven carries with his first career touchdown
• Also blocked a punt against the Panthers
• Big 12 Newcomer of the Week (Sept. 5)
High School
• Played wide receiver and tight end for coach Earl Sims at Gulliver Prep
• Totaled 1,409 yards on 96 catches with 19 scores as a junior and senior
• Finished with 1,164 yards on 81 receptions and 13 touchdowns as a senior, when he helped guide Gulliver Prep to a 9-2 finish and berth in the Florida 4A regional final
• Junior season stats included 15 receptions for 245 yards and six scores
• Helped Gulliver Prep reach the Region 4 semifinals and finish the 2020 season with a 5-1 record
• Teammate of current Mountaineer Trey Lathan
• Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN
• 247Sports listed him as the No. 46 tight end and the No. 111 player in Florida
• ESPN ranked him No. 152 nationally at tight end and as the No. 147 player in Florida
Personal
• Son of Tyneshia Fleming
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in sport leadership
Donaldson Jr.’s Rushing Statistics
Donaldson Jr.’s Receiving Statistics
CJ DONALDSON JR.
2023 (r-So.)
JAIRO FAVERUS
LB, 6-0, 222, r-Jr.
Bristol Academy of Sports Amsterdam, The Netherlands
X: @jairofaverus
Instagram: @jafaverus_
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team
• Played in seven games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury
• Finished with five tackles, including three solo stops and assisted on a tackle for loss
• Posted three tackles, including an assist on a tackle for loss against Duquesne
• Had solo tackles at Houston and against Oklahoma State
2022 (r-Fr.)
• Played in all 12 games
• Added depth at linebacker and used primarily on special teams
• Had a solo tackle against Towson
2021 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
2020 (COVID)
• Added depth at safety, seeing action in four games
• Season-high 14 plays, including 11 on defense against Eastern Kentucky
• Finished with two tackles, including an unassisted tackle against Eastern Kentucky
• Enrolled at WVU in January
High School
• Played cornerback for coach Benjamin Herod while traveling during the DreamChasers Tour – attended camps at universities in United States
• Played cornerback at the Bristol Academy of Sports
• Finished with six interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 24 solo tackles as a senior
• Graded as one of the top five defensive performers in the 247Sports European Combine in April 2019 and was most valuable defensive back
• Most valuable player for the U-19 Dutch national championship team
• Competed in multiple sports growing up, including gymnastics and Muay Thai
Personal
• Son of Christian and Marshana Faverus
• Father is an accomplished Muay Thai fighter and trainer
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in sport & exercise psychology in May 2024
• Currently pursuing his master’s degree in business administration
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023
(Fr.)
• Redshirted
44
Spur, 6-6, 225, r-Fr. Great Crossing Georgetown, Ky.
X: @oryendfisher
Instagram: @0ryend
• Saw action against Duquesne
High School
• Played for coach Ricky Bowling at Great Crossing High
• 2022 All-State 5A First Team
• Kentucky Sports Radio All-State Team (DL)
• 2021 Kentucky Sports Radio All-State Team (EDGE)
• Posted 84 tackles, including 11½ sacks, during his senior season
• As a junior, he posted 77 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and 13½ sacks
• Also forced three fumbles and recovered two during 2021
• Overall, he amassed 161 tackles and 25 sacks between his junior and senior seasons
• Played for coach Nick Bartic at Fairmont Senior High
• Earned All-State Second Team P/K Honors as a senior
• Converted all 29 of his extra point attempts and hit five field goals with a long of 34 yards as a senior
• Finished with 27 punts for 975 yards with a long of 52 yards and placed four inside the opponent’s 20-yard line
• Attended Kohl’s Kicking Camps National Senior/College Transfer Challenge in Dallas, Texas and charted the longest kickoff in 2023 with a long of 84 yards
• Two-time state soccer champion, two-time All-State A/AA and was named the 2021 and 2022 state defender of the year
Personal
• Son of Brandon and Lisa Flower
• Father was the Mountaineer mascot from 1998-99
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in animal and nutritional sciences
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
PRESTON FOX 29
WR, 5-10, 192, r-Jr. Morgantown
Morgantown, W.Va.
X: @P-fox21
Instagram: @pfox021
• Has played in 28 career games, including five starts
• Played in 12 games at receiver, starting five; also used at punt and kick returner
• Saw action on 417 offensive snaps and 95 on special teams
• Used on a season-high 49 snaps at UCF and against Oklahoma and a season-high 13 special teams snaps at Oklahoma
• Third-leading receiver on the team with 26 catches for 368 yards, averaging 14.2 yards per catch, two touchdowns and a long reception of 34 yards
• Finished with 18 punt returns for 145 yards with a long of 20 yards
• Ranked No. 28 nationally in punt returns, averaging 8.1 per return
• Had eight kick returns for 172 yards with a long of 33 yards
• Missed the Duke’s Mayo Bowl due to injury
• Finished with three catches for 51 yards at Baylor with a long of 29 yards and a season-best three kickoff returns for 58 yards with a long of 24 yards
• WVU Blue Collar Award: at UCF, BYU
• Recorded three catches for 33 yards with a touchdown and a long of 12 yards against BYU
• Registered three catches for 33 yards with a long of 28 yards at UCF
• Posted three catches for 24 yards with a long of 16 yards against Cincinnati
• Had two punt returns for 32 yards with a long return of 17 yards at TCU
• WVU Special Teams Champion: Texas Tech after season-best three punt returns for 45 yards with a season-long of 20 yards
• Had two catches for 34 yards against Duquesne with a touchdown and a long catch of 22 yards and returned three punts for 41 yards with a long return of 16 yards
2022 (r-Fr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Played in all 12 games
• Finished with four catches for 41 yards, a touchdown and a long reception of 26
• WVU Special Teams Champion: Oklahoma State
• Finished with three punt returns at Oklahoma State for 10 yards with a long of 8
• Two catches for 32 yards and a touchdown against Towson
• Season-best punt return of 27 yards against the Tigers
2021 (Fr.)
• Redshirted; played in four games
• Earned his first collegiate action against Long Island; played a season-high eight offensive plays and had first career catch for 8 yards
• WVU Special Teams Scout Champion: Iowa State
2020 (COVID)
• WVU Scout Team Offensive Player of the Week (TCU) High School
• Played wide receiver and defensive back for coach Matt Lacy at Morgantown High
• Earned West Virginia All-State AAA First Team honors as a senior (defense utility) after posting nearly 1,500 all-purpose yards
• All-Two Rivers Athletic Conference First-Team Defense and Second-Team Offense
• Finished with 1,300 career receiving yards and eight touchdowns, 452 rushing yards and five touchdowns, 504 career kickoff return yard, 144 punt return yards, 120 career tackles, five tackles for loss, four interceptions and three pass breakups
Personal
• Son of Tom and Tammy Fox
• One of three children (2 brothers)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in marketing in August 2024
• Pursuing a master’s degree in business administration
• Four-time All-Big South Conference First-Team honoree
• Finished with the school record in career sacks (34½) and tackles for loss (61)
• Played in 41 career games, had 239 tackles, including 125 solo stops
• Registered 68 tackles, including 9 1/2 sacks and 22 1/2 tackles for loss, which tied for the eighth-most in a single season and were No. 10 nationally; also had five pass breakups and forced three fumbles, seventh-most in the FCS
• Buck Buchanan Award Finalist
2022 (So.) - Gardner-Webb
• Finalist for the Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan National Defensive Player of the Year Award, Ted Hendricks Award and the first Runnin’ Bulldog to be voted Big South Defensive Player of the Year since 2008
• Played in 14 games registering 12½ sacks, including finishing the regular-season as the Big South leader in sacks (11½), which set the league single-season record
• Tallied 75 total tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, one interception and one forced fumble
• Ranked No. 9 nationally in sacks per game (0.88) and No. 44 in tackles for loss per contest (1.2)
• Collected 4½ sacks in three games vs. FBS opponents and held a streak of three straight games with two sacks
• During the five-game Big South season, he was No. 1 in sacks (5½), No. 6 with 6½ TFL and amassed 23 tackles
• Posted a tackle for loss in 10-of-13 appearances, as well as a sack in nine games
2021 (Fr.) - Gardner-Webb
• All-Big South Conference First Team at defensive end for the second season in a row
• Earned 2021 Hero Sports Sophomore All-America Team accolades
PRESTON FOX
• Finished with 61 tackles, including 8½ sacks and 14½ tackles for loss
• Added 14 quarterback hurries to lead the Big South for the second season in a row
• Recorded seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss in the final four games
• Named FCS National Defensive Player of the Week vs. Robert Morris, finishing with nine stops, including six solo, three sacks, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and four quarterback hurries; recovered one of those fumbles for a touchdown
• Had at least one sack in four consecutive games to end the season
Spring 2021 (COVID) - Gardner-Webb
• Started all four games and was 2021 Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year
• Earned Freshman All-America First-Team selection by Hero Sports
• Led team with 35 total tackles, which also ranked third in the Big South Conference
• Led the Big South with four sacks, eight tackles for loss, both ranking No. 9 nationally
• Also broke up a pass, blocked a kick, forced one fumble and recovered one fumble
• Named FCS National Freshman of the Week after posting 12 hits and four tackles for loss in a win over No. 24 Elon
• Had five quarterback pressures to go with 1½ sacks vs. Presbyterian High School
• Played for coach Justin Rogers at Colquitt County High
• Earned Class 7A All-State First-team honors from RecruitGeorgia.com
• Named Class 7A All-State Honorable Mention selection by the Atlanta JournalConstitution
• Two-time All-Region 1-AAAAAAA selection
• Posted 116 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks and broke up five passes, helping Colquitt County to a 9-3 record as a senior
• Finished junior season with 45 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and 16 quarterback pressures
Personal
• Son of Michael and Tenita French
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in sport leadership
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
• One of four children (1 brother, 2 sisters)
• Majoring in criminology
NATE GABRIEL 69
DL, 6-3, 318, Fr. Auburndale Auburndale, Fla.
X: @nathangabriel7_ Instagram: @biggnatee_
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
High School
• Played defensive line for coach Kyle Sassler at Auburndale High
• Former teammate of Mountaineer Aubrey Burks
• Finished his career with 160 total tackles, 58 tackles for loss, five fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and 12 sacks
• As a senior, he played in all 11 games, collecting 74 tackles, four sacks, 26 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and two blocked punts
• As a junior, tallied 58 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 10 games
• Named 2023 Polk County (FL) Co-Wrestler of the Year
• Won the state title as a junior, finishing with a 35-4 record
• Placed sixth in the state at the 2A heavyweight level as a sophomore
• Played in 13 games at receiver and started three
• Saw action on 284 plays, including 259 on offense and season-high 45 at Baylor
• Finished with 10 catches for 74 yards and a long catch of 14 yards
• Registered 15 carries for 87 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per rush with a long of 15 yards
• Season-high three catches for a season-high 24 yards with a long of 12 yards against Cincinnati
• Recorded two catches for 20 yards and three carries for 15 yards at UCF
• Had three carries for 21 yards with a long of 11 yards against BYU
High School
• Played for coach Rich Kolesar at Laurel Highlands High
• 2022-23 Pennsylvania Male Athlete of the Year
• Earned two-time all-state first team honors (ATH)
• WPIAL 4A Big Seven Conference Offensive Player of the Year
• Invited to play in the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fab 22 and Post-Gazette WPIAL Male Athlete of the Year
• Played quarterback as a senior, completing 93-of-167 (55.7%) passes for 1,272 yards and 13 touchdowns; on the ground, ran for 690 yards on 146 carries and tallied 11 touchdowns; also caught 13 passes for 77 yards and four touchdowns
• During his junior season, he completed 104-of-179 (58.1%) passes for 1,365 yards and 12 touchdowns; also ran for 1,130 yards on 169 carries and 21 touchdowns
• Finished his high school career with 3,014 passing yards on 225-of-395 (57%) attempts and 29 touchdowns; also tallied 2,376 rushing yards on 418 carries and 40 touchdowns and 890 receiving yards on 56 catches for 11 touchdowns
• Also a standout basketball player; finished career with 2,035 career points
• Four-time all-state first team selection
• Only player in Western Pennsylvania history to be named four-time WPIAL Fab 5 by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Personal
• Son of Rodney Jr. and the late Crystal Gallagher
• One of four children (3 sisters)
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
RODNEY GALLAGHER III
GARRETT GREENE
QB, 5-11, 204, Sr.
Chiles
Tallahassee, Fla.
X: @garrett3greene
Instagram: @garrettgreene11
• Has played in 34 career games, including 14 starts
• 2024 Iron Mountaineer Award
• Registered four career 100-yard rushing games and eight career 200-yard passing games
• Career total: 3,070 passing yards, 1,370 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns
• WVU Offensive Champion: at TCU, at UCF, Cincinnati, at Baylor
• Started all 12 games in which he played
• Finished with 3,178 yards of total offense and accounted for 29 total touchdowns, including 16 passing and 13 rushing scores
• Completed 147-of-277 passes for 2,406 yards, 16 touchdowns
• Third-leading rusher for WVU with 120 carries for 772 yards and a team-leading 13 touchdowns with a long of 48 yards
• Finished the season tied for first in the nation in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, No. 2 in passing yards per completion (16.4) and No. 20 in yards per attempt (8.7)
• Ranked No. 9 nationally in rushing yards per carry (6.4) and No. 35 in total offense (264.8)
• Also ranked No. 4 in the league and tied for No. 22 nationally in rushing TDs (13)
• Ranked No. 20 nationally in points responsible for per game (14.8), No. 24 in points responsible for (178) and No. 31 in total touchdowns (13)
• Recorded nine carries for 64 yards against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and completed 12-of-23 attempts for 228 yards and tied his season-long touchdown pass of 75 yards
• Posted 269 passing yards, 103 rushing yards and four total touchdowns at Baylor
• Had 210 yards passing, 154 yards rushing and four total touchdowns vs. Cincinnati
• Totaled two TDs and 154 passing yards at Oklahoma
• Threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns against BYU
• Tallied a career-high three rushing touchdowns at UCF and finished 14-of-23 for 156 yards through the air
• Finished the Oklahoma State game with 249 passing yards and two touchdowns; also led the way with 117 yards rushing
• Totaled four touchdowns (2 pass, 2 rush) at Houston, finishing with a career-high 391 yards passing and 47 yards rushing
• Finished with 80 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and 10-of-21 passing for 142 yards through the air at TCU
• Threw two passes vs. Pitt before missing remainder of the game due to ankle injury
• Was 10-of-18 for a then-career high 240 yards and four touchdowns against Duquesne
• Went 16-of-27 for 162 yards in the season opener at Penn State; also added 71 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown 2022 (So.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Played in nine games in 2022, and started the last two games
• Accounted for nine total touchdowns (5 pass, 4 rush) in the last four games
• Completed 8-of-14 passes for 48 yards and added 47 rushing yards at Oklahoma State along with a 36-yard rushing touchdown
• Made his first career start vs. Kansas State; finished 15-of-27 for 204 yards and three touchdown passes; also scored fourth rushing TD of the season
• Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week (Oklahoma)
• Had 138 passing yards and a touchdown on 12-of-22 attempts against Oklahoma; also rushed 14 times for a career-high 119 yards and two TDs vs. the Sooners
• Completed four-of-five passes for 42 yards and threw his first career TD at Iowa State; also rushed five times for 27 yards against the Cyclones
• Caught two passes for 13 yards against TCU
• Rushed twice and caught one pass for seven yards against Baylor
• Completed three passes for 45 yards against Towson and added three carries for 59 yards and a touchdown vs. the Tigers
2021 (Fr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 First Team
• Saw action in 11 games
• Finished with 47 carries for 306 yards, four touchdowns and a long run of 67 yards
• Completed 16-of-26 passes for 147 yards with a long of 28 yards
• Tallied a career-long, 67-yard rush at TCU
• Finished with 10 attempts for 55 yards and a score on the ground at Baylor; also completed 4-of-6 passes
• Ran for 34 yards on five attempts and completed one pass against Texas Tech
• Scored on a 2-yard touchdown run at Oklahoma
• Made season debut against LIU, rushing for a team-high 98 yards on 14 attempts and completed 4-of-7 passes for 57 yards
2020 (COVID)
• Saw action against Eastern Kentucky and Iowa State
• Played a season-high 20 offensive snaps against Eastern Kentucky
• Completed 3-of-4 passes for 24 yards with a long of 11 yards
• Enrolled at WVU in January
High School
• Standout dual-threat quarterback for coach Kevin Pettis at Lawton Chiles High
• Member of the prestigious quarterback Elite 11 Club in 2019
• Passed for 1,155 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with 930 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior
• Passed for 1,227 yards and 12 touchdowns along with 865 yards rushing and eight touchdowns as a junior
• Accounted for more than 2,500 rushing yards, 2,900 passing yards and 56 touchdowns during high school career
• Also a standout catcher in high school, earning multiple postseason honors
Personal
• Son of Charlie and Blake Greene
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Father played several years in the Major Leagues as a catcher for the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays and currently works as the bullpen coach for the Brewers
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in sport management in December 2023
• Currently pursuing his master’s degree in business administration
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Greene’s Passing Statistics
Greene’s Rushing Statistics
GARRETT GREENE
AYDEN GARNES 69
CB, 6-0, 180, r-Jr. Duquesne
Philadelphia, Pa.
X: @aydengarnes1
Instagram: @_ag8
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
• Has played in 22 career games with 19 starts
2023 (r-So.) - Duquesne
• Played for coach Jerry Schmitt at Duquesne
• Started all 12 games and recorded 51 tackles
• Finished with a sack and was third on team with five tackles for loss
• Led the team with 11 pass breakups
• Collected two interceptions, one of which was returned 27 yards for a touchdown, and a fumble recovery
2022 (r-Fr.) - Duquesne
• Played in 10 games and made seven consecutive starts to end season at cornerback
• Recorded 33 tackles, made two interceptions, broke up two passes, blocked a kick, had one fumble recovery and forced a fumble
• Nominated for AFCA All-State Good Hands Team for outstanding community service
2021 (Fr.) - Duquesne
• Redshirted
High School
• Played for coach Jack Muldoon at Monsignor Bonner
• Named 2020 Pennsylvania Football Writers’ All-State Class 4A First Team honoree
• Garnered All-Philadelphia Catholic League and All-Eastern Pennsylvania honors
Personal
• Son of Kevin Garnes and Jerelle Holden
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Majoring in communication studies
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Garnes’ Defensive Statistics
2023 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
DONOVAN GRAYSON 88
DL, 6-3, 240, r-Fr.
Brooke Point Stafford, Va.
X: @donovangrayson Instagram: @703dg_
• Played defensive end and tight end for coach Dwight Hazelwood at Brooke Point
• Earned All-District First Team honors (TE)
• Named All-Conference Honorable Mention
• Also competed on track & field team
Personal
• Son of Marc and Heather Grayson
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Majoring in sport and exercise psychology
2023 (r-Fr.)
• Did not see game action
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
MAURICE HAMILTON 71
DL, 6-3, 335, r-So. Cleveland Heights Cleveland Heights, Ohio
X: @Bigmoe70_
Instagram: @Bigmoe70_
• Played guard and nose guard for coach Mac Stephens at Cleveland Heights High
• 2021 Division I All-Ohio First Team
• Earned All-Northeast Lakes District First Team honors
• Cleveland Heights’ offensive line was named one of the 10 best lines in the area by Cleveland.com
Personal
• Son of Maurice Sr. and Valencia Watkins
• One of four children (3 brothers)
• Majoring in leadership
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
MICHAEL HAYES II 22
K, 5-9, 186, r-Sr.
Georgia State Florence, S.C.
X: @wmhayesii
Instagram: @wmhayesii
• Has played in 41 career games, 13 at West Virginia
• Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Second Team (Lindy’s)
• Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
• Has played in 13 career games at West Virginia
2023 (r-Jr.)
• College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Honoree
• Finished the year ranked No. 34 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 in field-goal percentage (.810) and No. 43 nationally in field goals per game (1.31)
• Hit three field goals against UNC in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Made two first-half field goals at Baylor
• Made season-high three field goals (46, 22, 23) and was 4-for-4 on PATs vs. BYU
• WVU Special Teams Champion: UCF
• Converted two field-goal attempts at UCF, while going 5-of-5 on PATs
• Scored on a pair of field goals and went 4-for-4 on PATs against Oklahoma State
• WVU Special Teams Champion: TCU
• Nailed a season-long 49-yard field goal at TCU
• Connected on two field goals against Texas Tech, including a 46-yarder
• Made his first field goal for the Mountaineers in the Pitt game
• WVU Special Teams Champion: Duquesne
• Went 6-for-6 on PATs against Dukes
• Made his Mountaineer debut in the season opener at Penn State
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2023
2022
(r-So.) - Georgia State
• Played for coach Shawn Elliott at Georgia State
• Used as a kicker and punter who also handled the team’s kickoffs
• Played in 12 games and made 11-of-14 field goal attempts, hit 41-of-42 extra point attempts and averaged 42.0 yards on 56 punts with a long punt of 57 yards
• Finished as the team’s leading scorer with 74 points
2021 (r-Fr.) – Georgia State
• Named to the Pro Football Focus All-Sun Belt team
• Averaged 41.2 yards per kick on 59 punts with long of 66
2020
(COVID) – Georgia State
• Averaged 40.4 yards on 50 punts in his first season, net of 39.6
• Had eight kicks of 50 yards or more and nine punts downed inside the 20-yard line
• Season long of 58 yards vs. East Carolina and South Alabama
• Perfect on five placements, nailing four extra points and a 23-yard field goal
2019 (Fr.) – Georgia State
• Redshirted
High School
• Played for coach Jody Jenerette at West Florence High
• Two-time All-Pee Dee selection by the Florence Morning News
• Palmetto Champions Specialist of the Year
• Made 64-of-65 extra points and 6-of-8 field-goal attempts with long of 42 yards
• Recorded 72 touchbacks on kickoffs and averaged 40 yards per punt with a long of 50
• Scored 170 career points, including 82 as a senior Personal
• Son of Michael and Michelle Hayes
• One of two children (1 sister)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in sport administration in August 2023
• Pursuing a master’s degree in business administration
Hayes’ Kickoff Statistics
Hayes’ Field Goal Statistics
2023 (r-Fr.)
• Played against Duquesne 2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
HARRY
HILVERT 98
DL, 6-0, 250, r-So. Taylor Cleves, Ohio
X: @HarryHilvert Instagram: @hilvert12
GARNETT HOLLIS JR. 1
CB, 6-1, 201, Sr. Northwestern Nashville, Tenn.
X: @Garnetthollis
Instagram: @Garnett313
• Enrolled at WVU in March 2024
• Has played in 26 career games with 17 starts 2023 (Jr.) - Northwestern
• Started all 13 games for coach David Braun at Northwestern
• Member of the Leadership Council
• Finished with 49 tackles, including 33 solo stops, one interception, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery
2022 (So.) - Northwestern
• Appeared in eight games, starting four, recording 24 tackles, an interception, three passes defended and two forced fumbles
• Five total tackles, including four solo, and grabbed his first career interception in first career start against Duke
• Career-high nine total tackles, five solo, and one pass defended against Wisconsin 2021 (Fr.) - Northwestern
• Appeared in five games, making his collegiate debut against Indiana State
2020 (COVID) - Northwestern
• Did not see game action
High School
• Four-year letterwinner and 2019 team captain for coach Roc Batten at Battle Ground Academy
• Finished prep career with 109 tackles, five tackles for loss and six interceptions
• Had 86 catches, 1,295 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns
• Three-time all-region and all-state selection
• Selected as the Williamson County Male Athlete of the Year as a junior
• Also earned all-district honors three times in basketball
• National Honor Society Member, High Honor Roll and Murphy Fair Academic AllState honoree
Personal
• Son of Garnett Sr. and Dominique Hollis
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in education and social policy at Northwestern in March 2024
• Pursuing his master’s degree in sport management
Hollis’ Defensive Statistics
• WVU Scout Team Defensive Champion: Virginia Tech
High School
• Played for coach David Dransman at Taylor High
• Earned All-Ohio All-State First Team honors as a senior
• Two-time All-Cincinnati Hills League All-Conference First Team
• CHL Player of the Year
• All-Ohio First Team selection in basketball
Personal
• Son of TJ and Jeannie Hilvert
• One of four children (1 brother, two sisters)
• Majoring in organizational leadership
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
JA’QUAY HUBBARD 66
OL, 6-5, 322, r-Sr. Virginia Hermitage, Pa.
X: jhubb3366
Instagram: quayhubb66
• Has played in 29 career games, including 15 starts 2023 (r-Jr.)
• Played in 12 games and started four at right guard
• Saw action on 432 offensive plays, including 30 or more in six games
• Member of the offensive line that led Power 5 in rushing yards per game and was No. 3 nationally in fewest sacks allowed
• Used on a season-high 85 snaps at Houston
• Posted 19 knockdowns for the season, including a game-high four at Houston, Oklahoma State
• Recorded 18 great blocks for the season, including a game-high three against Duquesne, Oklahoma State
• WVU Blue Collar Award: Cincinnati, Baylor
2022 (r-So.)
• Played in 12 games and started 11 at right tackle
• Saw action on 514 offensive plays, including 40 or more in eight games
• Used on a season-high 55 plays against TCU
• Registered 15 knockdowns and 13 great blocks
2021 (r-Fr.)
• Saw action in three games
• Used on 60 offensive plays at left tackle with season-high 43 offensive snaps vs. LIU
2020 (COVID)
• Did not see game action after transferring from Virginia during the summer
• WVU Scout Team Offensive Player of the Week (K-State)
2019 (Fr.) – Virginia
• Played for coach Bronco Mendenhall at Virginia; one of 17 true freshmen to play
• Appeared in two of Virginia’s 14 games but retained redshirt under NCAA rules
• Made collegiate debut in season opener at Pitt and appeared against William & Mary High School
• Played offensive tackle for coach Paul Piccirilli at Sharpsville High
• A two-time all-state offensive lineman and finalist for Pennsylvania’s ‘Mr. Football’
• Earned All-District 10 Region 4 team on both sides of the ball
• Also lettered in basketball
Personal
• Son of Jacques Jarrett and Terica Hubbard
• One of four children (1 brother, 2 sisters)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in communication studies in May 2023
• Pursuing a master’s degree in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
JORDAN JACKSON 25
CB, 5-11, 185, r-Fr. Fairfield
Fairfield, Ohio
X: @Jordannjackson_
Instagram: @jordanxjackson_
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Redshirted but played in three games
• WVU Scout Team Defensive Champion: Baylor
• Season-high five plays against Duquesne
High School
• Played for coach Jason Krause at Fairfield High
• 2022 OHSAA Division I All-State First Team
• Selected to play in the 2023 US Army Bowl in Frisco, Texas
• Multiple-time all-conference selections and all-region and all-city honors
• Totaled 35 tackles in 2022, including 2 1/2 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and a touchdown
• Had 48 tackles with two interceptions as a junior and 41 tackles, one fumble recovery and a touchdown as a sophomore
Personal
• Son of Fate and Tiffany Jackson
• One of four children (2 brothers, 1 sister)
• Twin brother of fellow WVU teammate Josiah Jackson
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
JOSIAH JACKSON 22
S, 6-0, 190, r-Fr. Fairfield
Fairfield, Ohio
X: @JosiahJacksonnn
Instagram: @josiah.jackson
• Redshirted but played against Duquesne and at Oklahoma
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2023
High School
• Played for coach Jason Krause at Fairfield High
• 2022 OHSAA Division I All-State First Team
• Selected to play in the 2023 US Army Bowl in Frisco, Texas
• Multiple-time all-conference selections and all-region and all-city honors
• Totaled 35 tackles in 2022, including 2 1/2 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and a touchdown
• Had 48 tackles with two interceptions as a junior and 41 tackles, one fumble recovery and a touchdown as a sophomore Personal
• Son of Fate and Tiffany Jackson
• One of eight children (4 brothers, 3 sisters)
• Twin brother of fellow WVU player Jordan Jackson
• Majoring in sport management
JA’QUAY HUBBARD
T.J. JACKSON II 11
DL, 6-1, 283, Sr. Troy
MIllbrook, Ala.
X: @SEHSTJ51
Instagram: @t.j.jacksonii
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
2023 (Jr.) - Troy
• Played defensive line for coach Jon Sumrall at Troy
• Appeared in 12 games and made 11 starts, helping lead Troy to an 11-win season and an appearance in the Birmingham Bowl
• Named an All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team honoree
• Collected 27 tackles, including 17 solo stop, 3½, sacks, seven tackles for loss, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery
• During his last three games, he totaled eight tackles, including 3½ tackles for loss
2022 (So.) - Troy
• Played in 14 games and started 11
• Named All-Sun Belt First Team honoree
• One of 16 players nationally to record at least eight sacks, 14½ tackles for loss and two forced fumbles on the year
• Recorded 1½ tackles for loss in five different games, tied for the 15th most in the country
• Tied for fourth nationally with 1½ sacks in three different games
• Finished the season with a team-leading eight sacks and 14½ tackles for loss; ranked third in the SBC in sacks and second in tackles for loss
• Recorded five or more tackles in six different games
• Registered at least a half sack in seven different games, 15th most in the country
• Finished with at least a half tackle for loss in 9-of-14 games, including a streak of seven straight
2021 (Fr.) - Troy
• Played in 10 games and recorded 12 tackles, including a tackle for loss
• Used on 103 total defensive snaps
2020 (COVID) - Troy
• Sat out the season after suffering an injury during fall camp
High School
• Played for coach Hunter Adams at Stanhope Elmore High School
• Recorded 72 tackles, including 11 sacks and 41 tackles for loss as a senior
• Credited with five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt
• As a junior, finished with 51 tackles, including 10 ½ sacks, 24 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and had a defensive touchdown
Personal
• Son of Raynard and Tameca Barnes
• One of seven children (4 brothers, 2 sisters)
• Majoring in integrated studies
Jackson’s Defensive Statistics
ZAE JENNINGS 17
Spear, 6-1, 192, Fr. Winton Woods
Cincinnati, Ohio
X: @j5zae
Instagram: @3sk.zae
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
High School
• Played for coach Chad Murphy at Winton Woods High
• 2023 Ohio Prep Sports Writers Association (OPSWA) Second-Team Division II AllOhio selection
• Two-time All-Southwest Ohio and two-time all-conference performer
• Finished senior season with 25 tackles, 2½ tackles for loss, four pass breakups, one sack and one fumble recovery
• Had 194 carries for 847 yards and eight touchdowns and completed 30-of-66 passes for 393 yards and three touchdowns
• 2022 All-Greater Miami Conference First-Team selection, while playing at Colerain High
• 2022 OPSWA Division I All-Southwest District Second-Team selection
• Had 1,346 all-purpose yards as a junior at Colerain
Personal
• Son of Eric and Shernell Taylor
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
• Did not see game action
WR, 6-3, 223, r-Fr. Oscar Smith Chesapeake, Va. X: @ToryJohnsonJr7 Instagram: @tj.johnson0
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2023
High
School
• Played for coach Chris Scott at Oscar Smith HS
• Two-time all-state and all-region
• Finished with 24 catches for 343 yards and six touchdowns as a senior
• Also a member of the track and field team and finished sixth in the state in the high jump as a junior
Personal
• Son of Tory Johnson Sr. and Tiffany Johnson
• His father was a tight end at WVU (2000-03)
• Majoring in sport management
JAHEEM JOSEPH 3
S, 5-10, 195, r-Jr. Northwestern Miami, Fla.
X: @lockemupjah_7
Instagram: @ jaheem.joseph3__
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
• Has played in 25 career games with 7 starts
2023 (r-So.) – Northwestern
• Academic All-Big Ten for coach David Braun at Northwestern
• Saw action in 13 games and started six, finishing with 24 tackles, including 18 solo stops; tied for the team lead with three interceptions and had a pass breakup
2022 (So.) – Northwestern
• Saw action in two games, starting one, and had nine tackles and a pass breakup
• Set a career-high and led the team with nine total tackles, while also setting career highs with seven solo tackles and a pass breakup in first career start against Duke
2021 (Fr.) - Northwestern
• Appeared in nine games and totaled four tackles
2020 (COVID) - Northwestern
• Made an appearance against Maryland, finishing with a tackle
High School
• Four-year letterwinner and 2019 team captain for coach Anthony Walker Sr. at Monsignor Edward Pace High; finished career with 147 tackles, five forced fumbles and five interceptions
• Also played baseball for two seasons and competed in track and field for two years
• Named to the honor roll in every semester of high school Personal
• Son of Antoine and Regla Johnson
• One of four children (3 brothers, 1 sister)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in education and social policy at Northwestern in March 2024
• Pursuing a master’s degree in sport management
Joseph’s Defensive Statistics
2023 (r-Fr.)
• Did not see game action
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
SCOTT KEAN 15
QB, 6-2, 205, r-So. St. Thomas Aquinas Weston, Fla.
X: @scottkean12
Instagram: @scottkean12
• Played quarterback for coach Roger Harriott at St. Thomas Aquinas
• As a senior, moved back to Florida at St Thomas Aquinas
• Part of 13-1 7A State Championship team 2021, which finished No. 9 nationally
• Junior year (Covid) - played under Nick Alexander at Walsh Jesuit in Ohio
• Helped lead Walsh Jesuit High to a conference championship and OHSAA playoffs
• As a freshman and sophomore, started on varsity at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, under Ladell Betts
Personal
• Son of Michael and Lori Kean
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in finance
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
ZACHARIAH KEITH 95
DL, 6-6, 265, r-Fr. Douglas County Douglasville, Ga.
X: @zachh_keith
Instagram:@_1truzacc_
• Redshirted; did not see game action
High School
• Played for Coach Johnny White at Douglas County High School
• 2022 6A All-State First Team
• 2022 All-Region 5-6A Honorable Mention
• 2021 Class 6A All-State First Team
• Recorded 76 total tackles (46 solo) as a senior with four sacks, seven tackles for loss and averaged eight tackles per game
• As a junior, he contributed 101 total tackles (59 solo) and 14 sacks
• Career statistics totaled 188 total tackles (114 solo), 20 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a 7.8 tackles per game average
• A-B Honor Roll
Personal
• Son of James and Brittany Golding
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
ELIJAH
KINSLER 97
DL, 6-3, 272, Fr. Bergen Catholic Oradell, N.J.
X: @kinslerelijah
Instagram: @ kkinslerr
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
High School
• Played defensive line for coach Vito Campanile at Bergen Catholic High
• Earned New Jersey All-State First Team, All-County and All-Division honors in 2023
• As a senior, finished with 63 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks
• As a junior, registered 47 tackles, including 11½ tackles for loss and 5½ sacks
Personal
• Son of Jaquim and Michelle Kinsler
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Majoring in communication studies
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (r-Fr.)
• Redshirted
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
R.J. KOCAN 42
K, 5-10, 235, r-So.
St. John The Baptist West Islip, N.Y.
X: @rj_kocan
Instagram: @rjkocan
• Kicker for coach Phil Alba at St. John The Baptist Diocesan High
• Earned all-state first team honors
• Special Teams Player of the Year
• Hit 97% of his field-goal attempts and had an 87% touchback rate
• Also played soccer
Personal
• Son of Recep and Kathleen Kocan
• One of two children (1 sister)
• Majoring in sport and exercise psychology
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
TREY LATHAN 4
LB, 6-1, 228, r-So. Gulliver Prep Goulds, Fla.
X: @treylathan5
Instagram: @treyjetski
• Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
2023 (r-Fr.)
• Started first five games at mike linebacker and used on special teams
• Used on 266 defensive plays, including season-high 74 snaps against Texas Tech
• Finished with 27 tackles, including 11 solo stops, one tackle for loss, two pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries and a forced fumble
• Sustained season-ending leg injury at TCU
• Tied his season high eight tackles, including a season-high six solo tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup against Texas Tech
• Had a season-high eight tackles, including three unassisted tackles, assisted on a tackle for loss, had two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup against Pitt
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted but played in four games and finished with six assisted tackles
High School
• Played linebacker at Gulliver Prep for coach Earl Sims
• Totaled 53 tackles (41 solo) as a senior with three sacks, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery
• Finished with 20 tackles in just six games played as a junior
• Recorded 43 tackles, with four tackles for loss and an interception as a sophomore As a freshman in 2018, registered 51 total tackles with three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks and fumble recoveries
• Teammate of current Mountaineer CJ Donaldson Jr.
Personal
• Son of Travis and Kankina Lathan
• One of six children (1 brother, 4 sisters)
• Majoring in sport management
2023 (Fr.)
NICK KRAHE 52
OL, 6-6, 305, r-Fr. Harbor Creek Erie, Pa.
X: @nick_krahe
Instagram: @nickkrahe_
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Redshirted
• Saw action against Duquesne and BYU
• Used on a season-high 18 snaps against Duquesne
• Posted two knockdowns against the Dukes
• Saw action on seven plays against BYU
• WVU Juice Award: Pitt High School
• Played guard and tackle for coach Troy Budziszewski at Harbor Creek High
• All-Region 5 First-Team honoree as an offensive and defensive lineman in 2022
• Erie Times-News District 10 Football Small School All-Star team
• Defensively was credited with 74 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five quarterback hurries, one force fumble and two fumble recoveries
• As a junior, he finished with 59 tackles, six quarterback hurries and a sack
• Also played basketball
• Outstanding student with a 4.0+ GPA Personal
• Son of Andrew and Joanne Krahe
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (r-Fr.)
LANDEN
OL, 6-4, 295, r-So.
Leo Leo, Ind.
X: @LandenLivingst1
Instagram: @landen.livingston
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Added depth at center
• Saw action in three games (Duquesne, BYU, Cincinnati)
• Used on a season-high 24 offensive snaps against Duquesne
• Also saw action on 10 offensive plays against BYU
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Played offensive guard for coach Jared Sauder at Leo High
• Two-time Indiana Football Coaches Association’s Top 50 All-State Team
• 2021 Indiana Preps Top 22 All-State Team
• Named All-Northeast 8 Conference First Team as a junior and senior
• 2021 Academic All-State honoree
• One of the top-20 interior linemen in Indiana
• 2020 Indiana Preps Top 22 Underclassmen
Personal
• Son of Rob and Christie Livingston
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Danced professionally for Disney for 10 years
• Majoring in business
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
NICK MALONE 58
OL, 6-5, 301, r-Sr. Morgantown Morgantown, W.Va.
X: @NickMalone58
Instagram: @malonenicky
• Has played in 40 career games, including four starts 2023 (r-Jr.)
• Played in all 13 games and started four; saw action at tackle and on special teams
• Used on 390 offensive snaps and 113 on special teams
• Saw action on a season-high 85 snaps at Houston and 11 special teams snaps against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Registered a season-high four knockdowns against BYU
• Recorded a season-high five great blocks at UCF and Cincinnati
2022 (r-So.)
• Played in all 12 games, adding depth at tackle and on special teams
• 2022 Tommy Nickolich Award winner, signifying WVU’s most outstanding walk-on
2021 (r-Fr.)
• Played in all 13 games and earned a start against Oklahoma State
• Added depth at tackle and inserted as additional lineman for power situations
• Saw action on 95 snaps, including a season-high 37 against Long Island
• Two knockdowns against Long Island
2020 (COVID)
• Saw action against Eastern Kentucky and Kansas
• Used on 34 offensive plays, including a season-high 32 against Eastern Kentucky
• Did not allow a sack against the Colonels
2019 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Played offensive and defensive line and tight end for coach Matt Lacy at Morgantown High
• AAA All-State Second Team as a senior
• All-USA Today West Virginia All-State Second Team
• Also lettered in basketball Personal
• Son of Wayne and Nancy Malone
• One of four children (1 brother, 2 sisters)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in general business in May 2023
• Currently pursuing his master’s degree in business administration
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
• Made his first career start against Texas Tech and threw one touchdown, finishing 12-of-21 for a career-best 78 yards; also led the Mountaineer rushing attack against the Red Raiders with a career-high 72 yards on the ground
• Threw his first touchdown pass of the season in the Pitt game, finishing 6-of-9 for 60 yards and a long of 15
• Finished 7-for-14 with 75 yards and a rushing touchdown against Duquesne
• Also recorded his first career rushing touchdown against the Dukes
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted, but played against Towson, at Texas Tech and Oklahoma State
• Helped lead the Mountaineers to a season-ending win at Oklahoma State
• Completed two passes for 29 yards with a long of 15 yards against the Cowboys
• Ran for a season-best 32 yards, including a long of nine yards at Oklahoma State
• Completed 2-of-4 passes for 32 yards and a touchdown against Towson
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2022
High School
• Pro-style quarterback who played for coach Michael Zdebski at Hamilton High
• US Army All-American
• 2021 Ed Doherty Award by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club – the state’s highest football individual honor
• Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year
• MaxPreps Arizona Player of the Year
• National Football Foundation Frank Kush Award Arizona Player of the Year
• NFF Danny White Arizona Quarterback of the Year
• Named all-state first team honoree
• Amassed 8,310 passing yards and threw 91 touchdowns across 43 games during his high school career
• Completed 639 passes on 943 attempts (67.8%) during his prep career
• Also rushed for 1,301 yards on 338 carries for 24 touchdowns in four seasons
• Led Hamilton to an 11-1 record and a berth in the Arizona Open Division state semifinals as a senior, while passing for a school-record 2,690 yards and 37 touchdown passes
• Went 203-of-273 (74.4%) and rushed for 369 yards on 83 attempts and six touchdowns during his senior campaign
• Went 117-of-169 (69.2%) for 1,417 yards and 11 touchdowns during his first season at Hamilton
• Also rushed for 535 yards on 73 carries and scored six touchdowns as a junior
• Spent his first two seasons at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado
• Collected 4,203 passing yards, 43 touchdowns and finished 319-of-501 (63.7%) through the air in 23 games at Regis Jesuit
Personal
• Son of Ken and Suzi Marchiol
• Father played for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers
• One of three children (2 brothers)
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
MARCHIOL
QB, 6-2, 223, r-So. Hamilton Chandler, Ariz.
X: @marchiolNicco
Instagram: @niccomarchiol 8
• Has played in 12 career games, including one start
2023 (r-Fr.)
• Played in nine games at quarterback and started one
• Helped lead the Mountaineers to wins against Pitt and Texas Tech
• Completed 30-of-53 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns
• Ran for 133 yards on 38 carries, averaging 3.5 yards per carry and a touchdown
• Completed 4-for-4 for 26 yards, including a long of 23, against BYU; also added 36 yards on the ground
NICCO MARCHIOL
SEAN MARTIN 5
DL, 6-5, 292, Sr.
Bluefield
Bluefield, W.Va.
X: @SEANMARTIN91
• Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Third Team (Lindy’s, Phil Steele)
• Has played in 43 career games, including 21 starts
• 2024 Iron Mountaineer Award
2023 (Jr.)
• All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (Coaches)
• Started all 13 games on the defensive line
• Saw action on 487 defensive snaps, including a season-high 56 against Texas Tech
• Finished with 27 tackles, including 15 solo stops, one sack, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries and one blocked field goal
• Added two solo tackles at Baylor
• Finished with two solo stops, including a tackle for loss against Cincinnati
• Recorded four tackles at Oklahoma, including his first sack of the season
• Assisted on tackles at UCF and against BYU
• Finished with two tackles for loss at Houston
• Blocked TCU’s game-tying field goal attempt in the fourth quarter; finished with two assisted tackles and a quarterback hurry
• Posted four tackles and a quarterback hurry against Texas Tech
• Added a pair of solo stops in the Pitt game
• Led the team with four tackles and added a tackle for loss against Duquesne
• Recorded three solo tackles in the season opener at Penn State
2022 (So.)
• Academic All-Big 12 First Team
• Posted four tackles at Texas
• Assisted on a pair of tackles at Virginia Tech
• Earned his first career start against Towson; posted one assisted stop in the game
• Tallied a pair of tackles for loss against Kansas as part of a four-tackle day
• Finished with two stops, including the first sack of his career, at Pitt
• Finished with at least 1½ tackles for loss in four games in 2022
• Totaled three stops at Oklahoma State
• Made five tackles against Kansas State
• Posted a career-best two sacks as part of a three-tackle day against Oklahoma
• Finished with four stops, including 1½ tackles for loss, against TCU
• Career night vs. Baylor featured six tackles, including a sack,1½ tackles for loss and a forced fumble
• Used on 275 snaps, including 212 on defense with a season-high 25 at TCU
• Had 16 tackles, an assisted tackle for loss, quarterback hurry and fumble recovery
• Registered two tackles against LIU, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, Baylor and Minnesota
• Assisted on a tackle for loss at Maryland and had a fumble recovery against LIU
2020 (COVID)
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Added depth on the defensive line, used primarily on special teams
• WVU Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week (K-State)
High School
• Played defensive end and served as the team captain for coach Freddy Simon at Bluefield High
• Captained the Class AA All-State First Team Defense in 2019
• Led the Beavers to a 12-2 record and the 2019 Class AA state championship game
• As a junior, named to the Class AA All-State First Team, as well as the All-USA West Virginia Second Team in helping Bluefield to a 12-2 record and Class AA state runner-up, finishing with 144 tackles and seven sacks in 2018
• Member of undefeated, state championship team as a sophomore in 2017
• Also played basketball
Personal
• Son of David Leggett and Torie Martin
• One of seven children (2 brothers, 4 sisters)
• Graduated with bachelor’s degree in sport management in December 2023
• Currently pursuing his master’s degree in business administration
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
SEAN MARTIN
WYATT MILUM 74
OL, 6-6, 320, Sr. Spring Valley Kenova, W.Va.
X: @MilumWyatt
Instagram: @wyattmilum
• Preseason All-Big 12 First Team (Big 12 Media)
• Preseason All-American Second Team (Athlon Sports, Lindy’s, Walter Camp)
• Preseason All-American Third Team (Phil Steele)
• Preseason All-Big 12 Conference First Team (Athlon Sports, Lindy’s, Phil Steele)
• Has started 32-of-36 games at tackle for West Virginia, including 31 in a row in games that he played
• 2024 Iron Mountaineer Award
2023 (Jr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• All-American Honorable Mention (Phil Steele)
• All-Big 12 Conference Second Team (Coaches, Phil Steele)
• Saw action on 753 offensive snaps, including 60 or more snaps in nine games
• Did not allow a sack or a quarterback hit and only eight pressures allowed on 305 pass blocking snaps
• WVU Offensive Champion: Texas Tech
• WVU Offensive Lineman of the Game: Duquesne, Texas Tech, UCF
• Member of the offensive line that led Power 5 in rushing yards per game and was No. 3 nationally in fewest sacks allowed
• Among Power 5 schools, WVU has the longest streak of games with 140 or more rushing yards (16), three more than any other team
• Graded out to 92% or better in 11 of the 12 games in 2023 in which he has played
• Has not allowed a sack in 23 of the last 25 games in which he played over the past two years
• Led WVU in great blocks (75) and was second in knockdowns (49)
2022 (So.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Started all 12 games at left tackle
• WVU Offensive Lineman of the Game: Oklahoma
• Saw action on 849 plays, including being used on 70 or more in eight games
• Season-high 91 plays against Oklahoma
• Finished second with 36 knockdowns, including a season-high seven against Kansas State
• Had 47 great blocks, including 10 or more against Oklahoma (12) and Kansas State (10)
• Registered eight games without allowing a sack or having a missed assignment
2021 (Fr.)
• Played in 12 games and started eight at right tackle
• FWAA Freshman All-America Team
• The Athletic Freshman All-America Team
• On3 True Freshman All-America Team
• Saw action on 628 offensive plays, including a season-high 90 against Texas
• Used on 50 or more offensive plays in seven games
• Helped pave the way for Leddie Brown to rush for 1,000 yards
• WVU Offensive Lineman of the Game: Iowa State
• Finished with 32 knockdowns, including a season-high eight against Iowa State
• Registered 19 great blocks, including a season-high five at Kansas
• Did not surrender a sack in eight contests
High School
• Played offensive and defensive tackle for coach Brad Dingess at Spring Valley High
• Sports Illustrated All-American, No. 1 right tackle in the nation and top-10 tackle overall
• Named 2020 All-American and was invited to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl game before it was canceled in October
• Named the 2020 recipient of the Joe Stydahar Award by the West Virginia Sportswriters Association, given to the state’s top lineman
• Three-time West Virginia All-State honoree, earning first-team honors as a junior and senior and second team as a sophomore
• For his career, saw action on 1,480 plays, finishing with 198 knockdowns, did not allow a sack and graded out to 92.7%
• Was a three-time All-Mountain State Athletic Conference selection, twice on the first team (2020, 2019) and once on the second team (2018)
• Helped Spring Valley to finish 7-2 his senior season and second round of the state playoffs
• Saw action on 274 plays on offense
• Registered 36 knockdowns and did not allow a sack
• Graded out to 94.8% for the season
• Also had 23 tackles on defense, including 1 1/2 sacks, 7 1/2 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one blocked kick
• Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports
• No. 1 tackle prospect overall in West Virginia by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports
Personal
• Son of Todd and Francie Milum
• One of two children (1 sister)
• Majoring in multidisciplinary studies
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
WYATT MILUM
2023 (r-Fr.)
COLIN McBEE 43
FB, 6-0, 238, r-So. University Morgantown, W.Va.
X: @colin_mcbee
Instagram: @colin_mcbee43
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Played in five games
• Added depth as a fullback and saw action on special teams
• Used on a season-high four special teams plays against Duquesne and Texas Tech
• WVU Scout Team Offensive Champion: TCU
• WVU Scout Team Special Teams Champion: Pitt, Baylor
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Played for coach John Kelley at University High
• Earned All-State Second Team Honors
• Two Rivers Conference Player of the Year
• OVAC 5A First Team in football
• Finished with 30 rushing attempts for 785 yards and 21 touchdowns
• Registered a team-leading 116 tackles, and four sacks and 16 tackles for loss
• Second-place state wrestling as a senior
• 2021 state discus champ; set school discus record (156 feet)
• As a junior, second-leading tackler (89) on the team, finishing with four sacks and one interception
• Added depth as a long snapper on punts, field goals and point after attempts
• Saw action against Duquesne
• WVU Juice Award: Baylor
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Handled the snapping duties for Coach Dennis Piron at Batavia High; Also saw action at guard
• Part of an offense that finished with 4,720 yards of total offense, including 2,971 rushing yards and 39 rushing touchdowns
Personal
• Son of Bryan and Mandi Moss
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in business
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
COREY McINTYRE JR. 52
DL, 6-3, 295, r-Fr. Treasure Coast Port St. Lucie, Fla.
X: @coreyjr55
Instagram: @cjm.jr
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Redshirted but played in four games, including season-high 12 defensive snaps against Duquesne
• WVU Scout Team Defensive Champion: Pitt, Cincinnati
High School
• Played on the defensive line for coach Irvin Jones at Treasure Coast High
• Two-time all-state honoree, second team as a senior, first team as a junior
• As a senior, tallied 37 total tackles, as well as three tackles for loss and one sack
• Used at running back and ran nine times for 108 yards, including a long of 51
• As a junior, he posted 38 tackles, including 7½ sacks and 11½ tackles for loss
Personal
• Son of Corey McIntyre Sr. and Connie Reed
• Father played for WVU from 1998-2001, before an 11-year career in the NFL
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in criminology
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
54
FATORMA MULBAH
DL, 6-4, 310, r-Sr. Penn State Harrisburg, Pa.
X: @mulbah_55
Instagram: @fatorma_mulbah
• Has played in 32 career games with 39 starts 2023 (r-Jr.)
• Saw action on 237 defensive snaps, including on a season-high 25 snaps at Oklahoma; also started against North Carolina in Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Had 25 tackles, including 10 solo stops, an assisted sack and three tackles for loss
• Registered a season-high five tackles, including two unassisted tackles and a tackle for loss, against Pitt
• Finished with three tackles, including a tackle for loss, against Duquesne
• WVU Blue Collar Award: Pitt
2022 (r-So.) – Penn State
• Played in 13 games, primarily on special teams
• Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors
• Career statistics show 19 games played and four tackles
2021 (r-Fr.) – Penn State
• Played in six games and recorded four tackles
• Two tackles vs. Rutgers and one each vs. Ball State and Villanova
• Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors
2020 (Fr.) – Penn State
• Redshirted and did not see game action
High School
• Three-year lettermen for coach Joe Headen at Susquehanna Township High School
• Two-time team captain
• All-conference selection as a junior and senior
• Team MVP as a senior
• Had 51 tackles, 12 sacks, nine tackles for loss and four forced fumbles as a senior
• Wrestling team captain
Personal
• Son of Stephen Sr. and Konah Mulbah
• One of three children (2 brothers)
• Graduated from Penn State with his bachelor’s degree in supply chain management
• Pursuing a master’s degree in business administration
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Mulbah’s Defensive Statistics
Year Games Tackles
OBINNA ONWUKA 31
Spur, 6-4, 245, Fr.
C.H. Flowers
Upper Marlboro, Md.
X: @famoussbinna
Instagram: @famoussbinna
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
High School
• Played for coach Dameon Powell at C.H. Flowers High
• 2023 All-Prince Georges County First Team
• 2022 All-Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) SecondTeam selection
• 2022 Washington Post Second-Team All-Metro selection
• 2022 Prince George’s County Defensive Player of the Year
• Had 19 tackles,12 tackles for loss and four sacks as a senior
• 44 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 3½ sacks and three fumble recoveries as a junior
Personal
• Son of Egwuonwu and Osariemen Onwuka
• One of five children (3 brothers, 1 sister)
• Majoring in psychology
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
30
JUDAH PRICE
RB, 5-6, 181, r-Fr. Independence Coal City, W.Va.
X: @judah_price
Instagram: @judahprice_
• WVU Special Teams Scout Team Champion: TCU
High School
• Played running back and cornerback for coach John Lilly at Independence High
• Gatorade West Virginia Football Player of the Year
• Kennedy Award Winner signifying top high school football player in West Virginia
• Captain of Class AA All-State team
• WVMetroNews State Player of the Year
• Rushed for 2,587 yards and 49 touchdowns and added nine catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns
• Set the single-season state record with 42 two-point conversions
• Broke the school’s single-season scoring record (396)
• Rushed for 396 yards, a state championship record and four touchdowns in championship win
• State wrestling champion
Personal
• Son of Josh and Angie Price
• One of five children (3 brothers, 1 sister)
• Majoring in business
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
TRAYLON RAY 7
WR, 6-1, 195, So. North Florida Christian Tallahassee, Fla.
X: @traylonray6
Instagram: @traylonn.rayy
• Played in 12 games at wide receiver and started five
• WVU’s fifth-leading receiver with 18 catches for 321 yards and three touchdowns
• Tied his season best with three catches against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl; also had a season-high 91 yards and a season-long 75-yard touchdown catch
• Recorded two catches for 38 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown at Baylor
• Posted a 28-yard catch against Cincinnati
• Had two catches for 56 yards with a long of 49 yards at Oklahoma
• Registered three catches for 42 yards with a long of 30 yards against BYU
• Finished with three catches for 43 yards at Houston with a 35-yard touchdown catch and caught a two-point reception at Houston
• Completed a 21-yard pass against Texas Tech
High School
• Two-way player for coach Brent Hill at North Florida Christian
• Class 2A All-State First Team in football as a senior
• Earned all-conference first team honors in football, basketball and baseball
• Was Class 2A All-State First Team in 2021 as a utility player
• In 2022, had 70 receptions for 1,236 receiving yards and 11 TDs
• As a defensive back, he had 37 tackles, including four tackles for loss, six interceptions and seven pass breakups
• Also averaged 30.7 kickoff return yards and 15.0 punt return yards
• As a junior, pulled in 87 receptions for 1,366 yards and 17 touchdowns
• On the basketball court as a junior, led NFC in scoring (15.1 points per game) and steals (2.1 per game) while pulling down 4.4 rebounds per game
• As a shortstop, he batted .359 as a senior
Personal
• Son of Travis and Kenyatta Ray
• One of four children (2 brothers, 1 sisters)
• Majoring in sport management
Ray’s Receiving Statistics
TRAYLON RAY
ASANI REDWOOD 92
DL, 6-3, 290, r-So.
Collins Hill Suwanee, Ga.
X: @AsaniRedwood
Instagram: @asani_92_
• Has seen action in 15 career games
2023 (r-Fr.)
• Played in 11 games
• Added depth on the defensive line
• Saw action on 137 defensive plays, including a season-high 18 plays against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in which he recorded a sack
• Finished with three tackles, including 1½ sacks
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
• Saw action in four games and played 54 defensive snaps, including 29 against Towson
• Finished with two tackles, two assists and a half tackle for loss
High School
• Played defensive end and tight end for coach Lenny Gregory at Collins Hill High
• MaxPrep All-American and all-state first team as a senior
• Finished with 181 career tackles, including 120 solo stops, 23½ sacks, 39 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and 57 hurries
• Missed the Houston and Oklahoma State games (leg injury)
• Saw action on 689 offensive snaps, including 60 or more snaps in seven games
• Did not allow a sack in 2023
• Finished with 21 knockdowns and had the second-most great blocks on the team (63)
• Season-high five knockdowns against Pitt and at UCF
• Recorded five or more great blocks in seven games, including a season-high 11 against Cincinnati
• Member of the offensive line that led Power 5 in rushing yards per game (228.9) and was No. 3 nationally in fewest sacks allowed (10)
2022 (r-Fr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• The Athletic Freshman All-America First Team
• Played in all 12 games, including starting the final five
• Registered a season-high 91 snaps against Oklahoma and six great blocks
• Recorded a season-best four knockdowns against TCU
2021 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
• Played four snaps against Long Island and Minnesota
High School
• Two-way player and three-year starter for coach Mark Pinzone at Brunswick High
• Named to the All-Ohio Prep Schools Writers’ Association (OPSWA) Division I AllState Honorable Mention team, All-Northeast Inland District Offense and all-area honorable mention
• Also a member of the track and field team (shot put)
Personal
• Son of Paul and Kristina Rimac
• One of three children (2 brothers)
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (r-So.)
HAMMOND RUSSELL IV 99
DL, 6-3, 310, r-Jr.
Dublin Coffman Dublin, Ohio X: @Lildukes3
Instagram: @hammondrussell_iv
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team
• Played in 12 games
• Added depth on the defensive line
• Saw action on 111 defensive plays, including a season-high 18 plays against BYU and North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Finished with 10 tackles, including four solo stops and assisted on a six-yard sack
• Season-high three tackles at Oklahoma
TOMAS RIMAC
2022 (r-Fr.)
• Did not see game action
• WVU Juice Award: Baylor
2021 (Fr.)
• Redshirted; Played against LIU and Minnesota with season high 15 snaps vs LIU
High School
• Played defensive line for coach Mark Crabtree at Dublin Coffman High
• 2020 All-Ohio Prep Schools Writers’ Association (OPSWA) Division I All-State First Team, MaxPreps Ohio All-State First Team, all-district and all-league as a senior
• Tallied 52 tackles, including nine tackles for loss, during his senior campaign
• Earned OPSWA All-Ohio Special Mention as a junior, as well as first-team all-district and second-team all-league distinction
• 55 tackles, 9 1/2 tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks, six pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 2019
• Also played basketball
Personal
• Son of Hammond III and Natasha Russell
• One of six children (3 brothers, 2 sisters)
• Majoring in sport management
Russell IV’s Defensive Statistics
Games Tackles Assists
JACK SAMMARCO 88
TE, 6-5, 255, Fr. Anderson Cincinnati, Ohio
X: @sammarcojack
Instagram: @Jack.sammarco
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2024
High School
• Played tight end for coach Evan Dreyer at Anderson High
• Earned 2023 All-State First-Team honors
• Named All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference First Team and All-District First Team as a senior
• Tallied 315 yards on 27 catches and found the end zone five times during his final high school season- also had a long catch of 44 yards in 2023
• Had 32 tackles, including 15 solo stops, eight sacks, a forced fumble and two pass breakups
• As a junior, he posted 136 yards on 14 receptions, along with two touchdowns
Personal
• Son of Alex and Katie Sammarco
• One of four children (2 brothers, 1 sister)
• Majoring in finance
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
LUKE SAVINO 46
K, 5-10, 178, r-Fr. Somers
Somers, N.Y.
X: @luke_savino
Instagram: @luke_savino
• Played running back, kicker and punter for coach Anthony DeMatteo at Somers High
• New York Sportswriters’ Association Class A All-State First Team Kicker/Punter
• Lower Hudson Valley Super 11 Finalist
• Lower Hudson Valley Westchester/Putnam First Team All-Star
• Prep RedZone Class A NY State No. 1 Ranked Specialist
• Kohl’s Kicking 4.5 Star kicker rating, No. 36 nationally, No. 3 in New England and No. 1 in NY
• FamSports Section 1 Class A All-Star First Team and Special Teams Player of the Year
• Scored 277 points for Sommers High (135 kicking, 23 touchdowns, 2 two-point conversions)
• Ran for 1,230 yards on 152 carries and 16 touchdowns as a senior
• Recorded 57 touchbacks, converted three out of his four field goal attempts, including connecting on a 40-yarder and connected on 43-of-49 extra-points
• Finished with 57 touchbacks on kickoffs, three field goals, 91% of extra points and averaged 41.0 yards per punt on 28 punts
Personal
• Son of Eric and Tina Savino
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (r-So.)
• Did not see game action
AK’BAR “DEUCE” SHABAZZ II 29
DB, 5-11, 182, r-Jr. Pitt
Marietta, Ga.
X: @deuce_55
Instagram: @d3uce._29
• WVU Scout Team Special Teams Champion: Texas Tech
2022 (r-Fr.)
• Did not see game action
• Enrolled at WVU in August 2022
2021 (Fr.) – Pitt
• Played for coach Pat Narduzzi at Pitt
• Redshirted
High School
• Two-year letterwinner for coach Matt Dickmann at Harrison High, which competes at 7A level, the state’s highest classification
• Finished with 63 tackles, including five tackles for loss and had eight pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception as a senior
Personal
• Son of Ak-Bar and Hermina Shabazz
• One of five children (1 brother, 3 sisters)
• Majoring in integrated studies
TAURUS SIMMONS 45
DL, 6-2, 252, Sr. Jenkins
Savannah, Ga.
X: @Taurus_Simmons1
Instagram: @t.4five
• Has played in 37 career games 2023 (Jr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team
• Played in 12 games, adding depth on the defensive line and on special teams
• Used on a season-high 19 defensive plays against Cincinnati
• Saw action on a season-high 14 special teams snaps at Oklahoma
• Finished with eight tackles, including four solo stops 2022 (So.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team
• Played in 10 games
• Saw action on 69 defensive plays, including a season-high 29 at Oklahoma State
• Used on a season-high 13 special teams plays at Iowa State
• Finished with eight tackles, three solo, one sack and 1½ tackles for loss 2021 (Fr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Second Team
• Saw action in 12 games
• Finished with six tackles, including three solo stops
• WVU Special Teams Champion: Kansas
2020 (COVID)
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Redshirted but saw action in three games, adding depth at bandit
• Season-high 10 plays, including eight defensive snaps against Eastern Kentucky
• Season-high two solo tackles, including a 7-yard sack against Eastern Kentucky
• WVU Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week (Kansas)
High School
• Played outside linebacker and defensive end for coach Jason Cameron at Jenkins High
• 2019 Savannah Morning News’ Football Defensive Player of the Year
• Earned a spot on the All-Region 3A First Team Defense
• Finished with 198 career tackles, including 136 unassisted tackles, 21 sacks, 50½ tackles for loss and 10 forced fumbles
• As a senior, finished with 81 tackles, including nine tackles and 24½ tackles for loss
• Class 3A All-State Honorable Mention as a junior and named All-Region 3A First Team Defense; finished with 79 tackles, including 58 solo stops, seven sacks, 19 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries
• Earned All-Region 3A Second Team Defense as a sophomore; registered 38 tackles, including 21 solo stops, five sacks, seven tackles for loss and two forced fumbles
Personal
• Son of Taurus and Makka Simmons
• One of five children (2 brothers, 2 sisters)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in sport management in August 2024
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Simmons’ Defensive Statistics
JACOLBY SPELLS 6
CB, 5-11, 188, Jr. American Heritage Fort Lauderdale, Fla. X: @drippy4k_ Instagram: @jacolblyspells
• Has played in 21 career games
2023 (So.)
• Played in 12 games, adding depth at cornerback and used on special teams
• Used on a season-high 26 defensive plays against BYU
• Saw action on a season-high 12 special teams plays at Houston
• Finished with eight tackles, including five solo stops, assisted on a tackle for loss and had a pass breakup
2022 (Fr.)
• Played in nine games, seeing action on 245 plays, including a season-high 64 plays against Baylor and 59 at Texas Tech
• Finished with 13 tackles, including nine solo stops and an interception returned 27 yards for a touchdown at Virginia Tech
High School
• Played cornerback for coach Patrick Surtain at American Heritage High
• Switched from receiver to cornerback as a junior
• Speedster who also participated in track and ran a 10.79 in the 100 meters
• Junior numbers totaled 32 tacklesand sophomore statistics showed him with 25 receptions and four touchdowns, averaging 23.7 yards per catch
• Five catches for 112 yards and a touchdownd as a freshman
Personal
• Son of Chavette Burrows
• One of four children (2 brothers, 1 sister)
• Majoring in integrated studies
Spells’ Defensive Statistics
OLIVER STRAW 41
P, 6-2, 210, Jr. Mentone Grammar School Melbourne, Australia X: @Ollie_Straw Instagram: @olliestraw
• Has played in 24 career games
2023 (So.)
• College Sports Communicators Academic All-District
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Saw action in all 13 games as the punter
• All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention
• Finished with 43 punts, averaging 43.1 yards per punt, with a long of 61 yards
• Placed 19 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, had eight of 50 yards or more, had 21 result in a fair catch and two touchbacks
• Punted three times against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, totaling 145 yards with a season long of 61 yards
• Four punts at Baylor traveled a total of 158 yards, including a long of 42
• Finished with six punts for 248 yards and a long of 47 at Oklahoma
• Totaled 84 yards on two punts and placed two inside the 20-yard line at UCF
• Three punts against Oklahoma State averaged 45.3 yards per punt
• Had five punts for 46.0 yards per punt at TCU; season-long of 58 yards and placed three inside the 20-yard line
• Season-high six punts averaged 41 yards and a long of 50 against Texas Tech
• Recorded three punts for 133 yards and a long of 50 in the Pitt game
• Lone punt against Duquesne went for 52 yards
• Punted four times for 168 yards in the season opener at Penn State, longest punt went for 50 yards
2022 (Fr.)
• College Football News Freshman All-America Honorable Mention
• Saw action in all 11 games in which he played; WVU did not punt against Towson
• Finished with 48 punts for 2,029 yards, averaging 42.3 yards per kick
• Registered 17 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, had seven that were 50 yards or more, two touchbacks and a long punt of 63 yards
• Big 12 Conference Co-Special Teams Player of the Week (Oklahoma)
• Big 12 Conference Special Teams Player of the Week (Texas Tech)
• Made his Mountaineer debut at Pitt
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2022
High School
• Strong athletic background playing Australian Rules football and basketball
• Kicks with either foot and can punt spiral or end-over-end rugby style
• Trained with Prokick Australia
• Played Australian rules football for his high school team and AAU team for seven years
• Played high school football (DE/TE) at Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch, New Jersey
Personal
• Son of Anthony and Joanne Straw
• Has dual citizenship in United States and Australia; was born in Hoboken, N.J.
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Majoring in finance
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Straw’s Punting Statistics
2023 (r-So.)
• Did not see game action
RONAN SWOPE 99
P, 5-11, 160, r-Jr. Malvern Prep King of Prussia, Pa. X: @ronanswope Instagram: @ronanswope7
• WVU Juice Award: Duquesne, UCF
2022 (r-Fr.)
• Did not see game action
2021 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Played for coach Dave Gueriera at Malvern Prep
• Two time All-State First Team Punter and earned All-Area First Team honors
• Two-time All-Main Line First Team
• Kohl’s Kicking 5-Star Punter
• Averaged 41.9 yards per punt during his high school career
• Graduated with distinguished honors (4.0 GPA)
Personal
• Son of Steve and Patsy Swope
• Father played basketball at Elizabethtown College
• One of two children (1 sister)
• Majoring in business
2023 (Fr.)
S, 6-1, 198, r-Fr. Woodford County Lexington, Ky.
X: @4adenN
Instagram: @4aktn
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Redshirted
• Added depth at safety and used on special teams
• Saw action against Duquesne
• Joined the Mountaineer basketball team in January 2024
High School
• Played for coach Dennis Johnson at Woodford County High
• 2022 All-District First Team honoree
• KHSAA District 30 Male Athlete of the Year
• Lettered in basketball (helped lead Woodford County to Sweet 16 in state basketball tournament) and football
• Finished with 41 receptions for 743 yards and 10 touchdowns
• Also had 16 rushes for 314 yards and four touchdowns
• Had 56 tackles, including 44 solo stops, two sacks, four tackles for loss and three interceptions
• As a junior, had 24 catches for 763 yards and nine touchdowns; 56 tackles, 42 solo, two tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and four interceptions
Personal
• Son of Ronald Nelson Jr. and Teade Tagaloa
• One of two children (1 sister)
• Majoring in business
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
OLIVER STRAW
KOLE TAYLOR 87
TE, 6-7, 255, Sr. LSU
Grand Junction, Colo.
X: @koletaylor3
Instagram: @koletaylor7
• Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Second Team (Lindy’s, Phil Steele)
• Has 45 career appearances with 18 starts 2023 (Jr.)
• Earned All-Big 12 Conference Second Team (Coaches)
• Named All-Big 12 Conference Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
• Played in 13 games with 11 starts
• Saw action on 700 offensive snaps and 69 special teams plays
• Used on a season-high 76 offensive snaps at Houston and eight special teams plays at UCF and against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Led WVU in receiving with 35 catches for 444 yards, averaging 12.7 yard per catch and four touchdowns with a long of 43 yards
• WVU Blue Collar Award: Baylor
• Scored touchdowns against Pitt, Texas Tech, BYU and Oklahoma
• Had season-high five catches at Houston and season-high 64 yards at Baylor
• Made his Mountaineer debut at Penn State and grabbed two passes for 31 yards
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2023
2022 (So.) – LSU
• SEC Academic Honor Roll
• Played tight end for coach Brian Kelly at LSU
• Had 32 career appearances with seven starts
• Saw action in 13 games, starting two
• Finished with five catches for 55 yards with a long catch of 26 yards
2021 (Fr.) – LSU
• Played in 12 games, starting three times
• Scored first collegiate touchdown on a 41-yard reception in win over Mississippi State
• Member of the 2021 SEC Academic Honor Roll
2020 (COVID) – LSU
• Played in seven games, starting two
• Caught six passes for 36 yards
• First career catch came against Texas A&M
High School
• Four-time letterwinner for coach Shawn Marsh at Central High
• One of the nation’s top tight end prospects in the Class of 2020
• Earned all-state first-team honors and twice name all-conference
• Outstanding all-around player from Grand Junction, Colorado
• Totaled 1,084 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns during his high school career
• Three-time honor roll distinction
Personal
• Son of Sean and Cheri Taylor
• Father played football at Western State
• Mother played soccer at Northern Colorado
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Graduated with his bachelor’s degree in integrated studies in December 2023
• Currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration
• Started all 13 games at defensive tackle and finished with 28 total tackles, 4½ tackles for loss and three sacks
• Big game against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl with six tackles, a sack and 1½ tackles for loss
• WVU Blue Collar Award (Houston, TCU, Texas Tech, Duquesne)
• Registered a career-best seven tackles, including three solo stops against Texas Tech; also added a tackle for loss
2022 (So.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Played in 12 games; had 10 tackles, one sack, 2½ tackles for loss and two QB hurries
2021 (Fr.)
• Played in eight games at defensive tackle, starting one
• Finished with seven tackles for the season and assisted on a tackle for loss against Texas
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2021
High School
• Played defensive line for coach Mikko Koikkalainen with the Helsinki Roosters and Finnish Senior National Team
• Traveled to the United States in 2019 with Brandon Collier of PPI Recruits during the DreamChasers Tour
• 2019 Finland Men’s National League Lineman of the Year and all-star (DL)
• Spent time serving Finland’s mandatory military service
• Participated in tennis and track & field (400 meters, shot put)
Personal
• Son of Seppo Vesterinen and Iveta Aaltonen
• One of four children (3 brothers)
• Majoring in business
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Vesterinen’s Defensive Statistics
2023 (r-Fr.)
SULLIVAN WEIDMAN 56
OL, 6-5, 316, r-So.
Dexter Southfield
Franklin, Mass.
X: @sullyweidman
Instagram: @sullyweidman
• Played in eight games and used on a season-high 31 plays against Duquesne
• WVU Juice Award: TCU
• Had a knockdown at UCF and a great block against Duquesne
2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
• WVU Juice Award: Oklahoma
High School
• Played offensive and defensive tackle for coach Casey Day at Dexter Southfield High
• Evergreen League Co-Lineman of the Year and All-Evergreen First Team
• Earned All-NEPSAC Class B First Team honors
• Rated three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports
• No. 4 prospect from Massachusetts by Rivals, No. 6 by 247Sports and No. 7 by ESPN
Personal
• Son of Patrick and Amy Weidman
• One of two children (1 sister)
• Majoring in sport management
JAHIEM WHITE 22
RB, 5-7, 191, So. William Penn Senior York, Pa.
X: @JahiemWhite_305
Instagram: @gfb_jah4
• Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Third Team (Phil Steele)
2023 (Fr.)
• Played in 12 games, starting three
• Earned Freshman All-American honors (The Athletic, PFF and ON3)
• Used on 262 offensive plays, including 20 or more snaps in the final five games
• Led WVU with 1,086 all-purpose yards, including 842 rushing, 125 receiving and 119 kickoff return yards
• Averaged a school-record 7.7 yards per rush, four touchdowns and a long run of 53 yards and had four 100-yard rushing performances
• Also had five receptions for 125 yards, two touchdowns and a long catch of 75 yards
• Finished the season ranked No. 9 in the Big 12 Conference in rushing yards per game (70.2)
• Rushed 12 times for 50 yards and a touchdown against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Caught the game-winning TD on a 29-yard grab at Baylor; also posted 133 yards on the ground
• WVU Offensive Champion: Cincinnati
• Season-high 204 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown against Cincinnati in his first start; caught a 75-yard touchdown against the Bearcats
• Became the first Mountaineer to exceed 200 yards rushing since Justin Crawford vs. Baylor on Dec. 3, 2016 (209)
• Also marked the most rushing yards by a true freshman since Dustin Garrison finished with 291 yards against Bowling Green in 2011
• WVU Offensive Champion: BYU
EDWARD VESTERINEN
• Tallied a then-career-high 146 yards rushing and a long of 32 against BYU
• Scored his second touchdown of the season and added 85 yards rushing at UCF
• Rushed five times for a total of 46 yards, including a long of 27 at TCU
• Made his Mountaineer debut against Duquesne and led the offense with 110 rushing yards and one touchdown; first career TD came on a 19-yard rush
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2023
High School
• Played for coach Russ Stoner at William Penn Senior High
• 2022 All-State First Team (RB) by PennLive.com
• 2022 York Daily Record Offensive Player of the Year
• York-Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association Division I Offensive Player of the Year
• 2021 Pennsylvania Football Writers’ 6A All-State Team (RB)
• Rushed for 1,918 yards and 37 touchdowns and added 33 catches for 428 yards as a senior
• Ran for 2,128 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior
• Earned multiple all-state honors
• School-record holder in career rushing yards (5,780) and No. 2 in York County history in rushing yards
Personal
• Son of Ladoria Glover
• One of six children (4 brothers, 1 sister)
• Majoring in sport management
AVERY WILCOX 34
Spear, 6-0, 208, r-Jr. Ft. Mill
Ft. Mill, S.C.
X: @averyjwilcox Instagram: @avery_wilcox
• 2024 Tommy Nickolich Award winner; signifying WVU’s most outstanding walk-on 2023 (r-So.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team
• Played in all 13 games; adding depth at safety and used primarily on special teams
• Saw action on a season-high 12 defensive snaps against Duquesne and had a 34yard interception retuern
• Used on 97 special teams snaps, including a a season-high 17 plays at Houston 2022 (r-Fr.)
• Saw action against Towson
• WVU Special Teams Scout Champion: Oklahoma State 2021 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
• WVU Defensive Scout Champion: Kansas
High School
• Played for coach Rob McNeely at Ft. Mill High
• Saw action in 10 games as a senior and finished with 44 tackles, including 28 solo stops, three interceptions, six pass breakups and three blocked field goals
• Played in nine games as a junior and registered 62 tackles, including 36 unassisted tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups
Personal
• Son of Ray and Robie Wilcox
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Father played football at West Virginia and also won the Nickolich Award
• Majoring in management information systems
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (r-Fr.)
JAREL WILLIAMS
WR, 6-2, 205, r-So. Saraland Saraland, Ala.
X: @jarelwilliams8
Instagram: @jarel.w White’s Rushing Statistics
Receiving Statistics
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team
• Played in all 13 games, adding depth at receiver and used on special teams
• Used on a season-high 17 offensive snaps at UCF and season-high nine special teams plays against Oklahoma State 2022 (Fr.)
• Redshirted but saw action against Towson
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2022
High School
• Played wide receiver for coach Jeff Kelly at Saraland High
• 2020 ASWA Class 6A All-State Second Team and AL.com All-Coastal First Team
• Totaled 60 catches for 883 yards and 13 TDs in 2021, 46 passes for 802 yards and 10 TDs in 2020 and 26 receptions for 392 yards and six scores as a sophomore
• Also played basketball
Personal
• Son of Darian and Janel Williams
• Lived in Germany as a child
• Majoring in finance
JAHIEM WHITE
2023 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
JOHNNY WILLIAMS IV 60
OL, 6-7, 316, r-Fr. Northeast Macon, Ga.
X: @Jay_WilliamsIV Instagram: @bigjay527
• Played in four games, adding depth at tackle
• Used on a season-high 24 offensive plays against Duquesne
• Also saw action on a season-high eight special teams snaps against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Season-high four knockdowns against Duquesne
• WVU Juice Award: Texas Tech
• WVU Scout Team Special Teams Champion: Duquesne
• Enrolled at WVU in January 2023
High School
• Four-year starter on the offensive line for coach Jeremy Wiggins at Northeast High
• Two-time All-State, including first team in 2022
• Two-time All-Region 2-2A First-Team (2020, 2022) and All-Region 2-2A Second Team (2021) honoree as selected by the league’s coaches
• Also played basketball and participated in track and field, qualifying for the 2021 region meet in the discus and shot put.
• Three-star rating by ESPN, 247Sports, On3 and Rivals
Personal
• Son of Johnny Williams and Jennifer Harper
• One of two children (1 sister)
• Majoring in sport management
2021 (r-Fr.) – Georgia Southern
• A third-team All-Sun Belt selection
• Named to Phil Steele’s Third-Team All-Sun Belt squad
• Started all 12 games and played 793 total snaps
• Led the team with 78 tackles, including a sack and 4½ tackles for loss
• Had a team-high nine pass breakups in addition to a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry
• Made the Honor Roll in the fall for posting above a 3.00 GPA
2020 (COVID): Georgia Southern
• Played in 12 games, starting 11 and saw action on 770 total snaps
• Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt by the league and Pro Football Focus
• Recorded 67 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and half a sack, along with an interception and seven pass breakups
2019 (Fr.) – Georgia Southern
• Played in two games but was still able to redshirt
• Named to the 2019-20 Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll for maintaining a 3.00-3.49 GPA
High School
• Played at Spring Valley High for coach Robin Bacon
• Selected for the 82nd annual Shrine Bowl
• Cited as the best two-way player in the Midlands by The State Newspaper
• Named the 2018 Mr. Richland County Football Player of the Year
• Named first-team all-state and first-team all-region as a defensive back for the 5A
• Named first-team all-state as a running back for the 3A level as a sophomore Personal
• Son of Anthony Wilson Sr. and Teshia McSwain
• One of four children (2 brothers, 1 sister)
• Graduated with bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Georgia Southern in 2023
• Pursuing a master’s degree in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Wilson’s Defensive Statistics
ANTHONY WILSON JR. 12
S, 5-9, 195, r-Sr.
Georgia Southern Columbia, S.C.
X: @anthonywilson_4 Instagram: @anthony__wilson
• Has played in 53 career games, including 13 at West Virginia 2023 (r-Jr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Conference Second Team
• Started all 13 games at cat safety
• WVU’s second-leading tackler with 80 tackles, including 54 solo stops, 1½ tackles for loss, an interception and five pass breakups
• Saw action on 793 defensive plays and 69 snaps on special teams
• Used on 50 or more snaps in 11 games, including a season-high 74 against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl
• Posted nine tackles, including five solos, against UNC
• Registered eight tackles, including four solos and a pass breakup, against Cincinnati
• Led the defense with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, at Oklahoma
• WVU Defensive Champion: BYU
• Tallied five tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup against BYU
• WVU Blue Collar Award: TCU
• Had first career interception and career-best eight tackles against Oklahoma State
• Registered six solo stops and a pass breakup in the Pitt game
• Made his Mountaineer debut in the season opener at Penn State; recorded five tackles, including two solos and assisted on a tackle for loss
2022 (r-So.) – Georgia Southern
• Played for coach Clay Helton at Georgia Southern
• An Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt selection (Coaches)
• Started all 13 games and was on the field for a team-high 1,023 defensive snaps
• Finished second on the team with 101 tackles, 1½ sacks and three tackles for loss, five pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble
ANTHONY WILSON
BRANDON YATES 50
OL, 6-4, 312, r-Sr.
Liberty (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Middletown, Del.
X: @flyguy_brandon1
Instagram: @thebrandonyates
• Has played in 48 career games, including 33 starts 2023 (r-Jr.)
• Played in all 13 games, including 12 starts at right guard, left guard and center and used on special teams
• Saw action on 793 offensive snaps, including a 50 or more snaps in 10 games
• Season-high 85 offensive snaps against Houston and seven special teams snaps at UCF
• Did not allow a sack in 2023
• Third on the team in knockdowns (35) and great blocks (55)
• Season-high six knockdowns against Duquesne and season-high seven great blocks against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State
• WVU Blue Collar: TCU, BYU
• Member of the offensive line that led Power 5 in rushing yards per game (228.9) and was No. 3 nationally in fewest sacks allowed (10)
• Among Power 5 schools, WVU has the longest streak of games with 140 or more rushing yards (16), three more than any other team
2022 (r-So.)
• Played in all 12 games at right tackle
• Saw action on 407 offensive snaps, including a season-high 50 at Texas Tech and TCU
• Had 14 knockdowns, including a season-high three at Iowa State
• Registered two knockdowns at Virginia Tech and against Texas Tech
• Recorded 10 great blocks, including a season-high four against Oklahoma
2021 (r-Fr.)
• Started all 13 games at left tackle
• Saw action on 888 offensive snaps, including a season-high 90 snaps against Texas
• Used on 50 or more plays in 12 games
• WVU Offensive Lineman of the Game: Texas
• Finished with 38 knockdowns, including a season-high six against Iowa State
• Did not allow a sack in seven games
• Also registered 17 great blocks, including a season-high three against Texas and Kansas
2020 (COVID)
• All-Big 12 Honorable Mention (Coaches)
• Played in 10 games and started eight at left tackle
• Used on 545 offensive plays and 53 special teams snaps
• Used on a season-high 91 snaps against Kansas State
• Finished with 19 knockdown blocks and did not allow a sack in eight contests
2019 (Fr.)
• Redshirted
High School
• Played offensive tackle for coach Richard Muraco at Liberty Baptist Academy in Las Vegas
• All-4A Desert Southeast Conference First Team and All-Southeast as a senior
Personal
• Son of Devon and Shironda Anderson
• Married to the former Madeline Samsell on May 8, 2023
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Graduated with his degree in sport management in May 2023
• Pursuing a master’s degree in business administration
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
2023 (Fr.)
COOPER YOUNG 64
OL, 6-5, 319, r-Fr. Downingtown West Downingtown, Pa.
X: @cooperyoung44
Instagram: @cooper_young
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Redshirted
• Saw action against Duquesne and BYU
• Used on a season-high 12 snaps against Duquesne High School
• Played for coach Mike Milano at Downingtown West High
• Earned All-Ches-Mont League First Team in 2022 as an offensive lineman and Second Team as a defensive lineman
• Named the mini maxwell award, signifying the top 50 football players in Pennsylvania based on classroom and on the field performance
• Earned All-Ches-Mont Second Team offensive lineman honors in 2021
• BCFCA All-Academic team
• Named All-Area Honorable Mention as a junior
• Helped pave the way for Downingtown to average 198.3 rushing yards per game in 2022 and had 39 rushing touchdowns
• Besides being a two-way lineman, he also is a catcher and first baseman on the baseball team
• As a junior, offense averaged 177.4 rushing yards per game, had three 100-yard rushing performances and scored 26 rushing touchdowns
Personal
• Son of Taylor and Melanie Young
• One of three children (1 brother, 1 sister)
• Majoring in finance
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
BRANDON YATES
NEWCOMERS
KYLE ALTUNER
OL, 6-3, 288, Frederick, Md.
Our Lady of Good Counsel
X: @KyleAltuner
Instagram: @_kylealtuner_
Four-year starter for coach Andy Stefanelli at Our Lady of Good Counsel High ... three-time Max Preps All-American … Under Armour All-American ... three-time All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference First Team honoree … two-time Washington Post All-Metro Area First-Team honoree ... finished with a 95% grade for the season, including having 100% in two games ... did not allow a sack for the year and only three pressures ... son of Tony and Carolyn Altuner … majoring in business.
LUCAS AUSTIN
OL, 6-6, 287, Sterling, Ill.
Sterling
X: @LucasAustin2024
Instagram: @Lucasbaustin
Played offensive and defensive lines for coach Jon Schlemmer at Sterling High ... 2023 Illinois State Football Coaches Association 3A Honorable-Mention ... two-time All-Western Big-6 First-Team performer ... two-time Sauk Valley First Team Offensive Lineman ... named team 2023 offensive most valuable player and two-time most valuable offensive lineman ... earned academic all-state honors ... switched from tight end to offensive and defensive lines prior to his junior season ... also excelled in basketball ... two-time all-state (first team, 2024) … two-time all-conference (first team, 2024) … Sterling High School leading scorer, rebounder and three-point scorer … three-time captain … as a senior, averaged 17.5 points and 7.6 rebounds on his way to Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 3A All-State First Team … as a junior, was IBCA Class 3A All-State ThirdTeam selection ... son of Jason and Karina Austin … one of four children (1 brother, 2 sisters) … majoring in biology.
RYDER BURTON
QB, 6-2, 201, Springville, Utah
Springville/BYU
X: @RyderBurton5
Instagram: @Ryburton5
Played quarterback for coach Kalani Sitake at BYU … entered as a mid-year enrollee and redshirted in 2023 … (High School): played for coach Dave Valeti at Springville High … earned all-region first-team honors … named Offensive Most Valuable Player in Region 9 … competed at 2022 Elite 11 Los Angeles regional … passed for 21 touchdowns and 1,972 yards as a senior … threw for 2,301 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior … also played basketball, earning all-region honors and all-state honorable mention … earned all-academic region honors … son of Brad and Bryanna Burton … one of five children (3 brothers, 1 sister) … majoring in business.
MAKAI BYERSON
DL, 6-4, 270, Richmond, Va.
Manchester
X: @ShowtimeKai
Instagram: @Showtime_m4
Four-year starter at defensive end and tight end for coach Tom Hall at Manchester High ... three-time All-State First Team .. three-time All-Region 6A First Team ... three-time All-Richmond Metro First Team ... three-year captain … 2024 Big River Rivalry All-Star … 2022 County Player of the Year ... registered more than 400 tackles and 37 quarterback sacks for career ... four-year starter in basketball where he received regional, metro and all-state honors ... son of Brad and Alisha Tisdale-Byerson … one of two children (1 brother) … father was member of WVU basketball’s 2005 Elite Eight team ... majoring in visual and performing art pathway.
DOM COLLINS
WR, 5-9, 168, Princeton, W.Va.
Princeton
X: @CollinsDom05
Instagram: @dom_collins5
Played wide receiver for coach Keith Taylor at Princeton High ... captain of the 2023 Class AAA West Virginia Sportswriters’ Association All-State First-Team ... a three-time West Virginia All-State performer, including first team as a junior and senior ... two-time All-Coalfield Conference First Team honoree ... WVMetroNews High School Player of the Year ... finished with 83 catches for 1,897 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior ... registered 2,021 all-purpose yards .... finished with seven catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns against Martinsburg in the state championship game ... had 301 receiving yards on eight catches and four touchdowns against Bridgeport in the state semifinals ... as a junior, he finished with 58 receptions for 1,036 yards and 19 touchdowns ... collected 1,637 all-purpose yards ... had 28 catches for 460 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore … also excelled in track, winning 100 meter state title as a senior and setting the school record in the 200m … son of Cristie Marion … one of two children (1 brother) … majoring in sport and exercise psychology.
JASON CROSS JR.
DB, 6-1. 182, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Bishop Canevin
X: @jasoncrossjr
Instagram: @jasoncrossjr
Three-year starter at defensive back for coach Richard Johnson at Bishop Canevin High ... earned all-state honors at defensive back … Big 33 All-Star … three-time all-conference safety and all-conference wide receiver ... two-time conference and section defensive most valuable player ... 2023 Pennsylvania Writers’ Class A All-State First Team … 2023 Pennsylvania All-Star Football Team selected by SBLive ... 2022 Pennsylvania Writers’ Class A All-State Second Team ... finished with more than 2,000 yards passing and more than 1,000 yards receiving during his career, only player in school history to accomplish that ... three-time team captain ... conference athlete of the year as a sophomore ... played quarterback, safety and receiver ... in 2023, recorded 41 solo tackles (18 assisted), 11 tackles for loss, 528 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns ... as a junior, he passed for 1,277 yards and 18 touchdowns, completing 60% of his passes ... rushed for 299 yards and nine scores and had 174 yards receiving and two touchdowns ... defensively, his numbers included 59 tackles, six interceptions and one forced fumble ... also played basketball … Son of Tyeshia Morris … one of five children (1 brother, 3 sisters) … majoring in exploratory pathway.
TRAE’VON DUNBAR
RB, 5-9. 210, Graniteville, S.C.
Midland Valley
X: @DunbarTraevon Instagram: @Traevon_Dunbar
Played running back for coach Earl Chaptman at Midland Valley High School ... 2023 Class AAAA All-State First-Team by the South Carolina Football Coaches Association ... Region IV 4A Offensive Player of the Year ... rushed for more than 4,600 yards in prep career and more than 60 touchdowns ... as a senior, ran for 3,062 yards, becoming only the second player in state history (Gray Collegiate’s KZ Adams, 3,343 yards in 2021) to reach the 3,000-yard mark ... scored 43 touchdowns, including 42 rushing and one receiving ... turned in 12 performances of 100-plus rushing yards ... coming back from injury as a junior, turned in 587 yards and six touchdowns in a half season of play ... playing for Silver Bluff High School as a sophomore, turned in 1,909 yards and 28 touchdowns ... standout track athlete with personal-best times of 11.09 in the 100 meter and 23.86 in the 200 meter ... son of Theo Dunbar and Tonya Dixon … one of three children (2 sisters) … majoring in exploratory pathway.
Played cornerback for coach Biff Poggi at Charlotte … (2023 – r-Jr.): played in 12 games, making nine starts ... had 21 tackles (16 solo) with 2½ tackles for loss ... had one interception, four pass breakups and a fumble recovery ... (2022 – r-So.) - played for coach Jason Martin at Independence Community College … KJCCC first team all-conference … (2019-21): played three years for coach Nick Bobeck at Central Oklahoma ... played in 11 games in 2021 and finished with 14 tackles, including 10 solo, two interceptions and two pass breakups ... redshirted in 2019 and the Broncos did not compete in 2020 (COVID-19) … played for coach Darwin Franklin at Millwood High in Oklahoma City … son of Tramell Allen and Sharnisha Fagan … one of eight children (4 brothers, 3 sisters) … majoring in integrated studies.
RIC’DARIOUS FARMER
WR, 5-11. 165, Melbourne, Fla. Melbourne Central Catholic X: @DayDay_F7
Instagram: @7k.dayday
Played wide receiver and cornerback for coach Nate Hooks at Melbourne Central Catholic High ... two-time All-Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State team, including firstteam selection in 2022 ... three-time FACA All-District 12 performer, including first-team at wide receiver as a junior and senior and first-team utility as a sophomore ... played nine games as a senior, finishing with 15 carries for 195 yards and three touchdowns and 18 catches for 302 yards and three touchdowns ... had 25 tackles, including 16 solo stops, forced a fumble and had an interception he returned 100 yards for a touchdown ... as a junior at Cocoa, finished with 63 receptions, 938 yards, 10 touchdowns, 1,297 allpurpose yards ... played at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy his first two years, finished with 387 yards rushing and 1,751 receiving yards ... son of Richard and Monique Farmer … one of seven children (4 brothers, 2 sisters) … majoring in exploratory pathway.
GREG GENROSS
TE, 6-6, 235, New York, N.Y.
John F. Kennedy/Dodge City CC
X: @GGenross
Instagram: @Ggenross
Played tight end for coach Terry Karg at Dodge City Community College … NJCAA Division I All-American First Team … All-KJCCC First Team … played in nine games and had 16 catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns … played in eight games as a freshman and had 10 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown … played wide receiver for coach Alex Vega at John F. Kennedy High … son of Greg Sr. and Rose Kwarteng … one of five children (2 brothers, 2 sisters) … majoring in integrated studies.
CHRISTOPHER HENRY
CB, 6-0, 198, Ocala, Fla.
Dunnellon
X: @ChrisHenry0
Instagram: @Cqhris
Played multiple positions for coach Tommy Sutton at Dunnellon High … 2023 Florida Atlantic Coaches Association District 7 Player of the Year … 2023 FACA District 7 All-Senior Team as a running back … 2023 FACA All-District 7 Team as a free safety … 2022 and 2023 team captain … 2022 Marion County First-Team defensive back … 2022 team MVP … as a senior, finished with 47 carries for 598 rushing yards and seven touchdowns … finished with 56 tackles, one fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown, two interceptions, one tackle for loss and a pass breakup … as a junior, had 24 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns and 45 total tackles, two interceptions - including a pick-six, two tackles for loss and one pass breakup … son of Corvin Henry ... one of six children (4 brothers, 1 sister) … majoring in sport and exercise psychology.
DIORE HUBBARD
RB, 5-11, 193, Gahanna, Ohio
Gahanna Lincoln
X: @Diore_Hubbard
Instagram: @Diore.hub
Played running back for coach Bruce Ward at Gahanna Lincoln High … two-time Ohio All-State First-Team … two-time Central District Ohio Player of the Year … two-time All-Columbus Metro First Team … two-time Ohio Capital Conference Player of the Year … three-time All-Ohio Capital Conference, including first team twice … 2022 finalist for the Mr. Ohio Award and was the Columbus Metro Player of the Year … two-time Gahanna Lincoln Offensive MVP … career totals stand at 5,221 rushing yards with 65 touchdowns, 46 catches for 601 yards and six touchdowns … rushed for 1,883 yards as a senior with 28 touchdowns to lead the conference … recorded nine 100-plus rushing games … added 233 yards receiving with two scores … as a junior, totaled 2,365 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns … averaged 177.1 all-purpose yards per game … also lettered in track and field … son of Anwar Taylor and Natasha Hubbard … one of eight children (4 brothers, 3 sisters) ... majoring in exploratory pathway.
CURTIS JONES JR.
LB, 6-1, 221, Huntington, W.Va.
Cabell Midland
X: @CurtisJonesJr6
Instagram: @fatdaddyy2
Played outside linebacker and running back for coach Luke Salmons at Cabell Midland High … two-time allstate running back, earning Class AAA first team honors as a senior and second team as a junior … two-time All-Mountain State Athletic Conference First-Team honors … team captain … as a senior, finished with 1,762 yards and 27 touchdowns, four receiving touchdowns and three quarterback sacks … as a junior, he ran for 1,584 yards and 19 touchdowns … as a sophomore, played at Huntington High ... also ran track and posted an 11.89 in the 100-meter dash as part of a 4x100 team that placed fifth at states … posted a 4.0 GPA … father was a wide receiver at Marshall from 1999-02 … son of Curtis Sr. and Chardae Jones … one of two children (1 sister) … majoring in engineering.
BRANDON REHMANN
WR, 6-0, 190, Blackwood, N.J.
St. Joseph’s Preparatory School
X: @BrandonRehmann
Instagram: @brandon.rehmann
Played wide receiver for coach Tim Roken at St. Joseph’s Preparatory … 2023 Pennsylvania Football News Class 6A All-State Second Team … two-time all-Catholic Red League Second Team …nominated for Public vs Catholic All-Star Game and Big 33 All-Star Game … finished with 28 receptions for 502 yards and seven touchdowns … scored nine touchdowns (7 receptions, 1 kickoff return, 1 rushing) … returned the opening kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown in the state semifinals against Central Bucks South … also had a 47-yard TD reception in that game … All-Catholic League in track … son of Carly Rehmann … one of three children (1 brother, 1 sister) … majoring in exploratory pathway.
JUSTIN ROBINSON
WR, 6-4, 218, McDonough, Ga.
Eagles Landing/Georgia/Mississippi State
X: @4Ljrob
Instagram: @1.jrob
Has appeared in 32 career games, 21 at Mississippi State, with eight career starts, all at Mississippi State … Ias53 receptions for 601 yards and four touchdowns … played wide receiver for coach Zac Arnett at Mississippi State … (2023 – r-So.) - 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl MVP … appeared in 10 games, making seven starts … totaled 21 receptions for 257 yards on the year … (2022 – r-Fr.) - transferred to Mississippi State after two seasons at Georgia ... appeared in 13 games ... finished with 30 receptions for 326 yards and three touchdowns … (2021 Fr.) – Spent his first two
years at Georgia after enrolling in January 2020 … had a 12-yard catch in win over UAB and a 6-yard catch at Vanderbilt … (2020 – Fr.) – saw action in the Bulldogs’ season-opener at Arkansas … (High School) - prepped at Eagles Landing Christian Academy where he was coached by Jonathan Gess … totaled 903 receiving yards and 11 TD catches during his senior season ... unanimous selection to the 2019 All-State Class A-Private first-team offense by the Georgia Sports Writers Association ... AJC 2019 post-season Class A-Private All-State first team ... named to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association-North 2018 All-State Class-A First-Team offense ... totaled 748 receiving yards and 12 TDs his junior season … son of Niqua and Tessie Robinson ... one of two children (1 brother, 1 sister) … majoring in integrated studies.
KEYSHAWN ROBINSON
S, 5-11, 186, Ranson, W.Va.
Jefferson
X: @KeyshawnRobin17
Instagram: @__key1k__
Three-year starter for coach Craig Hunter at Jefferson High … two-time West Virginia Class AAA All-State Defensive Back and Wide Receiver honors, including first team as a senior … two-time All-Eastern Panhandle Athletic Conference honoree … played wide receiver, defensive back and returned kicks and punts … tallied 42 catches for 635 yards and six touchdowns as a senior … had 32 carries for 164 yards and six touchdowns … recorded 452 yards receiving and four touchdowns as a junior … registered five kickoff returns for 158 yards and a touchdown … had 31 receptions for 560 yards and six scores as a sophomore … career totals also include more than 500 return yards and more than 50 tackles … careerlong reception went for 70 yards … all-state performer in football and track … outstanding track athlete with state AAA championships to his credit in the 4x100 and 4x200 meter relay … in 2023, swept the three sprint races and was on the victorious 4×200 meter relay … ran 10.71 in the 100, 21.52 in the 200 and 48.26 in the 400 … also tallied second-place finishes in the 100 and 200 meter state track championship as a junior … son of Aaron Robinson and Brandy Shipe … one of three children (1 brother, 1 sister) … majoring in sport management.
KEKOURA TARNUE
S, 6-0, 198, Monrovia, Liberia
Coon Rapids/Jacksonville State
X: @KekouraJ7arnue
Instagram: @Kekoura_7arnue
Played cornerback for coach Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State … (2023) Appeared in every game in his first season at Jax State after transferring from Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota … started at cornerback in eight games for the Gamecocks, Including each of the last seven games … eighth on the team with 48 total tackles but fourth in solo tackles with 42 … leads Jax State and tied for third in CUSA with three interceptions, while adding two tackles for a loss, one sack and four pass breakups … (2021-22:) … played two seasons for coach Terrence Isaac at Rochester Community and Technical College in Rochester, Minnesota … named a First Team All-American in 2022, when he led the nation in interceptions with eight, while also recording 46 tackles, one tackle for a loss, three fumble recoveries and one pass break up… earned all-conference first-team honors, allregion first team and all-academic first team as a senior … had all-conference second-team accolades as a junior … had 11 career interceptions and scored four defensive touchdowns in just two seasons at RCTC … scored two defensive touchdowns, one on a fumble return and one on an interception return…picked off three passes and notched 22 tackles in eight games as a freshman in 2021, while also scoring twice – once on an interception return and once on a fumble return … played for coach Nick Rusin at Coon Rapids High School in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, where he was an all-conference player … led the state in interceptions (8) … named all-conference honorable-mention as a senior … Personal: son of Ekama Goah … born in Monrovia, Liberia … one of four children (1 brother, 2 sisters) … majoring in sport leadership.
JUSTIN TERRY
OL, 6-6, 338, Pickerington, Ohio
Pickerington Central
X: @JustinTerry55
Instagram: @justinterry__
Played offensive line for coach Jeff Lomonico at Pickerington Central High… earned All-Ohio Division I All-State Honorable-Mention honors … earned All-District honors and was named All-Capital Ohio Conference Buckeye Division First-Team performer … did not allow a sack his senior season … finished with 26 pancake blocks … offensive line paved the way for Pickerington Central’s offense to average 200.0 yards rushing per game … named scholar-athlete … son of Will and Bettina Terry … one of two children (1 sister) … majoring in exploratory pathway.
KEY’ON WASHINGTON
CB, 6-1, 175, Waldorf, Md.
Saint Charles
X: @_keyon1k
Instagram: @1lulkeyon
Played cornerback and wide receiver and returned kicks/ punts for coach Patrick Orndoff at Saint Charles High … 2022 Maryland Public Schools Athletic Association All-State Honorable Mention … named All-Southern Maryland Athletic Conference First Team on offense, defense and special teams his senior year … named All-Maryland Athletic Conference First Team as a defensive back his junior year … finished with five interceptions, returning one for a touchdown … had 11 plays of 40 or more yards, caught five touchdowns, returned a kickoff for a score and made four 40-yard plays on kick and punt returns … son of Terry Barnes and Tequillia Washington … one of two children (1 sister) … majoring in exploratory pathway.
KHALIL WILKINS
QB, 6-3, 202, Washington, D.C.
Theodore Roosevelt
X: @kwilkins4_
Instagram: @k4hliiil
Played senior season as a quarterback for coach DaLawn Parrish at Wise High before playing for Gary Olandis at Riverdale Baptist High … listed as a dual-threat quarterback … selected to play at the Under Armour All-American combine in May 2023 … earned offensive player of the year honors … two-time state champion … selected as the team MVP two times during his high school career … garnered the People’s Champ Award … at Riverdale Baptist, he tallied 1,100 yards passing and 330 yards rushing … threw 15 touchdowns and also added four rushing scores … compiled a 95.6% completion rate … as a junior at Theodore Roosevelt High in Washington, D.C., passed for 3,100 yards through the air and 405 yards on the ground … also added 21 passing touchdowns and seven rushing scores during his junior season … son of Tiffany Watkins … one of 10 children (7 brothers, 2 sisters) … majoring in sport management.
RICKEY WILLIAMS
LB, 6-1, 232, Akron, Ohio
Archbishop Hoban
X: @_rickeywill3
Instagram: @savvsdawrld
Three-year starter at inside linebacker for coach Tim Tyrrell at Archbishop Hoban High … two-time All-Ohio High School State Athletic Association Division II performer, including second team as a senior and third team as a junior … two-time All-Northeast Inland All-District First Team honoree … team captain as a senior … finished with 83 tackles, five sacks and 14 tackles for loss … finished with 134 tackles, 10 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles … son of Rickey Cambpell and Tracy Williams … one of seven children (5 brothers, 1 sister) … majoring in entrepreneurship and innovation.
It’s a proven fact that you win with people, and no one knows that better than Neal Brown. He has a commitment to investing time and resources in his staff and players, mentoring and preparing them to carry out the mission of West Virginia University Football, not only on the field but off of it as well.
After having his most successful season in 2023, Brown has his program prepared and ready with their goal of achieving higher aspirations in 2024. He, his staff and the Mountaineers not only want to compete for double-digit wins, but more importantly want to reach a coveted spot in not only the Big 12 championship game but the CFP playoff for the first time in school history.
WVU returns a significant amount of snaps and production from last year’s team and retooled the roster to fill in the holes. That experience, along with offseason work being put in could put the lofty expectations within reach.
Brown has taken pride in having his program exude a strong identity on both sides of the ball. Offensively, WVU has a physical, hard-nosed running attack that also can throw downfield, as well as find players out of the backfield. Defensively, there is a high comfort level with their scheme, and their recruiting efforts center around bringing in the pieces that fit.
The 2023 Mountaineer Football program was branded with the label “14” – picked to finish last in the Big 12 Conference preseason poll by the league media. However, Brown, his coaching staff and the entire program used that number as the motivation needed to generate the best year of Mountaineer football since 2018, registering a 9-4 overall record, including a 30-10 win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, a 6-3 mark in the league, and a No. 25 final ranking in the AFCA Final Coaches Poll.
Brown faced arguably the toughest schedule in his tenure. He earned Co-Big 12 Coach of the Year honors by Heartland College Sports. The conference finish tied the Mountaineers for fourth place – 10 spots better than originally predicted. Since becoming a member of the Big 12 Conference in 2012, WVU has had only one better season, 2016, when it won seven league games.
After leading the nation in passes defended and pass breakups, ranking No. 2 in forced incompletions and was among the top 20 in interceptions, cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. was named WVU’s 13th consensus All-America in school history and signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Zach Frazier, one of the top centers in the nation, earned All-America honors for the second time during his career and was drafted in the second round by the Steelers. Running back Jahiem White was named a freshman All-American by several teams, quarterback Garrett Greene was named the bowl MVP of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and running back CJ Donaldson Jr. was ranked among the top five in the Big 12 in rushing touchdowns.
Bishop was a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, signifying the best defensive player in the nation. Frazier was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, the academic Heisman, earned a spot on the National Football Foundation’s Scholar-Athlete Team and became the program’s 31st Academic All-America selection by the College Sports Communicators. He also was a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy and the Jason Witten Man of the Year Award.
West Virginia placed four players on the all-conference team, including Bishop and Frazier on first team and offensive tackle Wyatt Milum and tight end Kole Taylor on the second team.
The Mountaineers had one of the best offensive lines in the nation, producing the best rushing mark in Power Five football, averaging 228.9 yards per game and scoring a league-tying best 32 rushing touchdowns. WVU was the only school in the league to finish with more than 2,000 rushing yards in conference games (2,211). West Virginia currently leads the nation with 16 straight games of producing more than 140 rushing yards, three more than the next team on the list.
West Virginia gave up a league-low 10 sacks for the season, including only three in league games, ranking No. 1 in the Big 12 and No. 2 among Power Five schools. The Mountaineers also were No. 16 in total offense among Power Five schools, producing 5,650 yards and tied for No. 19 nationally in first down offense. That included 450 yards or more of total offense in seven games, and producing 500 or more yards five times. WVU scored 30 or more points in seven of its last eight games.
Greene finished the season in the top five of the Big 12 in total offense, passing for more than 2,400 yards, rushing for more than 750 yards and was responsible for 29 touchdowns. He was tied for No. 1 in the nation in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback and among Power Five players he was No. 2 nationally in passing yards per completion (16.4), No. 4 in rushing yards per carry and No. 15 in yards per pass attempt (8.7).
West Virginia’s defense was No. 1 in the Big 12 in sacks (33) and No. 2 in tackles for loss (84). Kicker Michael Hayes was ranked No. 34 nationally in field goal percentage, hitting 17-of-21 attempts (.810), punt returner Preston Fox was No. 28, averaging 8.1 yards per return, and punter Oliver Straw led the punting unit that was ranked No. 5 nationally in punt return defense.
WVU produced a school-best 31 Academic All-Conference selections, including 19 first-team honorees.
Since arriving in Morgantown in January 2019, Brown has covered a lot of territory representing Mountaineer Football as its chief ambassador, ensuring the great story about his program is told to everyone.
Brown continues to support and champion program leadership by the players, emphasizing a dedication to the individual student-athlete. His mission is in the development of each player as a complete person, not only on the field, but off, and for each to continuously build themselves and their brand to make a difference in the world after their football career is finished.
NEAL BROWN
QUICK FACTS
Birthday: March 11
Age: 44
Hometown: Danville, Kentucky
Education: Massachusetts, ’02
(Bachelor’s degree – business management)
Massachusetts, ’05
(Master’s degree – business administration)
Wife: Brooke
Children: Adalyn Anslee
Dax
Coaching Record: At WVU: 31-29 (5 seasons)
Overall: 66-45 (9 seasons)
One of the first player initiatives that Brown implemented for the team was the 5th Quarter Program to assist in the development of the total player, not only on the field, but for life beyond graduation. The pillars of the program are character development, leadership development, real life, social responsibility and career development. With the name, image and likeness legislation enacted in July 2021, Brown did his due diligence in advance to ensure that his players were prepared, no matter how involved the process becomes in the future.
Another component of the 5th Quarter Program is the Bridge Program. Its goal is to introduce the student-athletes to the college experience when they first enter WVU and give them their final training before they embark into life after graduation.
In 2022, WVU expanded the 5th Quarter Program by adding the Chambers Elite Climbers Program. The Chambers Elite Climbers was created to provide unique educational opportunities for select studentathletes thanks to a nearly $1.6 million gift from WVU alumni John and Elaine Chambers. The Chambers Elite Climbers is a supplemental two-year program that provides additional and professional growth opportunities to student-athletes chosen through a competitive application process.
The 2022 Mountaineers defeated rival Virginia Tech to hold on to the Black Diamond Trophy and won two of the final three games, including victories against Oklahoma and at Oklahoma State. The win over Oklahoma marked the first Big 12 Conference win over the Sooners, and the win over the Cowboys was the first since 2014 and snapped the Cowboys’ 14-game, home winning streak. WVU also defeated 2021 Big 12 Champion Baylor.
West Virginia had 21 student-athletes named to the Academic All-Big 12 Teams, and kicker Casey Legg earned a spot on the prestigious College Sports Communicators Academic All-American Second Team. WVU also had nine players named to one of three postseason Big 12 all-conference teams by media organizations with Dante Stills and Zach Frazier earning first-team all-conference honors, and Stills was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.
The 2021 squad finished with six wins and had its share of positives, including earning a bowl bid to the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, its second in a row under Brown. Running back Leddie Brown rushed for 1,000 yards for the second year in a row, and WVU was fourth in the Big 12 in average passing yards per game (247.9). The Mountaineer defense finished No. 5 nationally in red-zone defense, No. 18 in the fewest first downs allowed and No. 29 in third-down defense.
The Mountaineers defeated No. 15 Virginia Tech, marking the highest-ranked win of the Brown era and also defeated No. 22 Iowa State.
West Virginia had a program-best 24 student-athletes named to the Academic All-Big 12 Teams, safety Sean Mahone was a finalist for the William Campbell Trophy,
the academic Heisman, and he earned a spot on the National Football Foundation’s Scholar-Athlete Team. Kicker Casey Legg was named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza National Kicking Award and WVU had nine players named to one of three postseason Big 12 all-conference teams by media organizations.
Frazier was named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation and American Football Coaches Association’s All-America teams, and Milum was named to three freshman All-America teams. Defensive lineman Dante Stills was named an All-Big 12 First Team honoree, and Frazier was on the second team.
The 2020 season was Brown’s most challenging season to date, testing his ability, not only as a coach, but as a leader. He was forced to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-March, which didn’t allow for spring practice or offseason workouts and skill instruction, while social unrest was at a high level nationally during the summer.
Even though the program constantly was forced to deal with the effects and protocols of COVID-19 during the season, the Mountaineers stayed the course, finishing the season 6-4 overall and 4-4 in the Big 12. Brown made his first bowl appearance as the coach of West Virginia against Army in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, winning the game, 24-21.
Five players earned All-America honors, led by Darius Stills, who was the school’s first Consensus All-American since 2006 and 12th in school history. Tony Fields II, Tykee Smith and Dante Stills were named to at least one All-America team, and freshmen Zach Frazier and Akheem Mesidor were named to Freshman All-America teams. In April, Fields was drafted by the Cleveland Browns, while five players signed free-agent contracts.
Eight players were named to the All-Big 12 Conference postseason teams, led by first-team honorees Fields II, also defensive newcomer of the year, Darius Stills, also defensive lineman of the year, and Leddie Brown, a first-team running back.
The Mountaineers finished the 2019 season with a 5-7 mark, in what was called a transitional year. WVU finished the regular season winning two of the final three games, at Kansas State and at TCU, and had a 3-3 mark on the road, including a 3-2 road record in the Big 12 Conference.
Five of Brown’s players were named to All-Big 12 postseason teams, and Colton McKivitz was named the Big 12’s Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year. McKivitz earned spots on two All-America teams - Walter Camp Football Foundation’s Second Team and the Associated Press’ Third Team, and Tykee Smith was named a freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. McKivitz played in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Brown, one of six FBS coaches to win 10 or more games in 2016, 2017 and 2018, was named WVU’s 35th head football coach on Jan. 5, 2019.
He spent the previous four years as the head coach at Troy University (2015-18), compiling a 35-16 record, including 3-0 in bowl games. In his final three seasons, the Trojans posted a 31-8 record (.795), tying for the highest winning percentage nationally among non-Power 5 schools.
Before Brown left after the 2018 season, Troy had won 17 of its last 20 games and 22 of its last 26 games. After directing the Trojans to the 2017 Sun Belt Conference Championship, Brown was honored as the league’s coach of the year.
During his highly successful tenure at Troy, Brown’s signature wins included a 24-21 victory in 2017 at then-No. 22 LSU in Baton Rouge, which snapped the Tigers’ 49-game nonconference home winning streak, and a 24-19 win at Nebraska. Also impressive was his team’s 30-24 loss at eventual 2016 national champion Clemson.
In 2018, Troy finished 10-3, including a victory over Buffalo in the Dollar General Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
The 2017 campaign featured an 11-win season for Troy, including a win over North Texas in the New Orleans Bowl. The Trojans once again finished with a 7-1 conference mark, earning Brown his first conference championship. Troy finished the season with the 27th most votes in the final Amway Coaches Poll, marking the highest final ranking by a Sun Belt Conference squad in league history.
Troy finished 10-3 in 2016, including a 6-2 mark in the Sun Belt and a victory over Ohio University in the Dollar General Bowl. The Trojans became the first Sun Belt Conference school to ever open a season with eight wins in its first nine games, and they became the first league school to appear in a major top 25 poll, checking in at No. 25 in the Associated Press’ Nov. 13 poll. Additionally, Brown’s 2016 squad tied for the best turnaround in the country (six wins).
Prior to Brown’s first season at Troy in 2015, he spent two years (2013-14) as the offensive coordinator under Mark Stoops at Kentucky. Under his direction, he led the Wildcats to some new heights on the offensive side of the football. The Wildcats posted more than 440 yards of total offense in three Southeastern Conference games in 2014, its highest total since 2001.
The Wildcats totaled 380 yards or more of total offense in their first three SEC games in 2014 – Florida, Arkansas and South Carolina – marking the first time a UK team had done so since 1998. Kentucky scored 21 offensive touchdowns in SEC play in 2014.
The two years prior to Brown being named offensive coordinator, Kentucky had a combined 21 offensive touchdowns in conference play.
He also spent three years at Texas Tech (2010-12) as the offensive coordinator after his first stint at Troy as an assistant coach from 2006-09.
As Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the Red Raiders ranked in the nation’s top-seven teams in passing offense, top 15 in total offense and top 25 in scoring offense, having increased production in all three categories each year since 2010. TTU finished the 2012 season second nationally in passing with 355.9 yards per game, 13th in total offense at 495.4 yards per game and 20th in scoring with 37.5 points per game.
The 2012 campaign was an expansion of the success from 2011, when Texas Tech ranked 13th nationally in total offense at 470.6 yards per game. The Red Raiders lit the scoreboard at a tune of 33.8 points per contest. In his first season in Lubbock, Brown’s offense notched 460.2 yards of total offense per game, including 318.9 passing, and scored at a 33.1-point clip as Tech went 8-5 and won the TicketCity Bowl.
At Troy, Brown was the inside receivers coach the first two years (2006-07) with the Trojans before transitioning to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 200809. Troy won four Sun Belt Conference titles and appeared in three bowl games during Brown’s initial tenure.
He began his coaching career with oneyear stints at UMass (2003), Sacred Heart (2004) and Delaware (2005).
At Delaware, Brown served as wide receivers coach. Starting three freshman wideouts, the Blue Hens went 6-5.
In 2004, Brown coached the quarterbacks and wide receivers at Sacred Heart, which boasted the top-ranked scoring offense in the conference.
In 2003, he was the tight ends coach and offensive line assistant at Massachusetts, helping the Minutemen win a share of the Atlantic 10 championship and a berth in the FCS playoffs.
As a player, Brown was a wide receiver at Kentucky for three years (1998-2000) before finishing his career at UMass in 2001-02.
He was a member of two bowl teams with the Wildcats and was named to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
While at UMass, he was an Atlantic 10 All-Academic honoree and an NCAA Division I-AA Athletic Directors’ Academic All-Star team selection.
Brown graduated from UMass with a bachelor’s degree in business management in 2002 and earned his master’s degree in business administration in 2005.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Brown grew up in Bardstown, Kentucky, before moving to Danville, Kentucky, where he was an all-state wide receiver at Boyle County High School, finishing his career as the No. 2 receiver in state history.
Brown and his wife, Brooke, have two daughters, Adalyn and Anslee, and a son, Dax.
THE BROWN FAMILY: Adalyn, Anslee, Brooke, Dax and Neal
NEAL BROWN BY THE NUMBERS
THE MOORE FILE
Year at WVU: 6
Year in Collegiate Coaching: 19
Birthday: October 18
Hometown: Canton, Georgia
Wife: Kelly
Children: Tanner, Reece and Sutton High School: Cherokee College: Valdosta State, ‘96 Bowl Games Coached: 12
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2020 -24
Assistant
Co-Offensive
Offensive
Co-Offensive
Assistant
(Ala.)
(Ga.) High
Head Coach/Running Backs
MATT MOORE
Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Line @CoachMooreWVU
Matt Moore, a 2023 Broyles Award nominee as one of the top assistant coaches in the nation, is in his sixth year on the Mountaineer staff as the offensive line coach and fifth year as the assistant head coach.
In 2023, WVU’s offensive line led the way for the Mountaineer offense to lead the Power Five in rushing yards (2,976). In Big 12 games, WVU was the only school to finish with more than 2,000 rushing yards (2,211) and it has the longest streak of games with 140 or more yards rushing (16), three more than any other team. It also led the league in rushing yards per game (245.7) and was tied for first in rushing touchdowns (24).
The Mountaineers were No. 1 in the Big 12 and No. 2 among Power Five schools for fewest sacks allowed (10), improving from No. 44 in 2022 to No. 3 in 2023. West Virginia was the only team in the Big 12 with three players with at least 700 rushing yards and was the only team in the conference with two rushers who had at least 10 rushing touchdowns.
Center Zach Frazier, a three-time Big 12 all-conference honoree and two-time All-American (2021, 2023) was named to nine All-America teams in 2023 and was selected in the second round (No. 51) of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, the Academic Heisman Trophy, and was one of 16 student-athletes nationally to be selected as a member of the National Football Foundation’s ScholarAthlete team. He also was named to the College Sports Communicator’s Academic All-American First Team, marking the 12th first team member and 31st player in WVU history. Frazier led the team in knockdowns his last three years, producing 176 and having 198 during his entire career.
In 2022, the offensive line paved the way for the running attack to record 2,058 yards and 24 touchdowns. It was led by All-Big 12 Conference First Team performer Zach Frazier, who finished with 51 knockdowns and had 38 great blocks. Tackle Wyatt Milum started all 12 games at left tackle, was second on the team with 36 knockdowns and earmed Academic All-Big 12 honors. Doug Nester started 11 games at right guard and registered 27 knockdowns, had 16 great blocks and recorded eight games without allowing a sack. Left guard Tomas Rimac played in all 12 games, started the final five games and was named a Freshman All-American.
In 2021, the offensive line cleared the way for a 1,000yard rusher in Leddie Brown for the second straight year. Center Zach Frazier earned All-America second team honors by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the American Football Coaches Association, and tackle Wyatt Milum was named to three different freshman All-America teams. Frazier earned All-Big 12 Conference Second Team honors by the league head coaches, and guard Doug Nester was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team by PFF College.
In 2020, despite having to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, West Virginia had one of the most improved offenses in the nation in terms of total yards, showing gains of more than 60 yards rushing per game, almost 30 yards passing a game, more than 90 yards of total offense and almost seven more points a game.
His line had a productive year with Leddie Brown rushing for 1,010 yards and nine touchdowns and Jarret Doege throwing for more than 2,500 yards and 14 touchdowns. Four of Moore’s linemen earned postseason honors: senior guard Mike Brown earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors, Chase Behrndt was an All-Big 12 Fourth Team selection by Phil Steele, Brandon Yates was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection and Zach Frazier earned Freshman AllAmerica honors.
In Moore’s first year, left tackle Colton McKivitz earned Walter Camp and Associated Press All-American honors and was named the Big 12 Conference’s Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year. The All-Big 12 First Team honoree played in the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, participated in the NFL Player Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Moore joined the WVU staff as the Mountaineers’ co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in January 2019. He came with WVU coach Neal Brown after serving as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for four years at Troy (2015-18). He spent two years on the offensive staff at Texas Tech in 2010-11 and was on the staff with Brown at Troy in 2006.
The 2017 squad finished 11-2, won the Sun Belt Conference Championship and had a signature win at No. 22 LSU, snapping the Tigers’ 49-game nonconference home winning streak.
Four Trojan offensive linemen earned All-Sun Belt Conference honors, including left tackle Antonio Garcia, the highest selected offensive lineman in conference history, No. 85 overall in the NFL draft by the New England Patriots.
Moore’s offense led the Sun Belt in scoring offense in 2016, and finished No. 2 in the league in passing offense and total offense. Troy finished 10-3 and earned its first top-25 national ranking in school and conference history. The Trojans also placed six offensive players on All-Sun Belt teams, including four first-team selections.
Prior to Moore’s first season at Troy, he spent the previous two years as the assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Louisiana Tech. In 2014, the Bulldogs won the Conference USA Western Division Championship and earned a trip to the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Moore also spent time at Middle Tennessee (OL/2012), Texas Tech (OL/2007-11) and Troy (OL/2006). He began his coaching career at the high school level, producing successful runs in Georgia and Alabama.
With Neal Brown and Moore on the Texas Tech staff together in 2010, the Red Raiders finished No. 7 nationally in passing, No. 15 in total offense and No. 23 in scoring offense. The following year, the Red Raiders ranked No. 7 in passing, No. 13 in total offense and No. 22 in scoring offense.
Moore’s career began as the head coach and running backs coach at Pickens High in Jasper, Georgia, from 1997-98, before spending the next six years as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at perennial powerhouse Hoover High School in Hoover, Alabama. Moore helped lead the Buccaneers to a 77-7 record and three consecutive Class 6A state titles.
Moore also served as head coach at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia, before beginning his collegiate coaching career at Troy.
A native of Canton, Georgia, Moore played at Valdosta State, starting 34 games at left guard from 1991-94. He earned All-Gulf South Conference First-Team honors as a senior. He graduated from Valdosta State in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education.
He and his wife, Kelly, have three daughters, Tanner, Reece and Sutton.
THE MOORE FAMILY: Tanner, Matt, Sutton, Kelly and Reece
THE LESLEY FILE
Year at WVU: 6
Year in Collegiate Coaching: 19
Birthday: December 15
Hometown: Fulton, Mississippi
Wife: Ann Katherine
Children: Mary Kate, Mae Blake and Jordan Jr. High School: Itawamba Agricultural College: Troy, ‘06
Postgraduate: Troy, ‘07 Bowl Games Coached: 6 COACHING EXPERIENCE
JORDAN LESLEY
Defensive Coordinator/ Outside Linebackers
@CoachLesley_WVU
Jordan Lesley, a nominee for the 2020 and 2021 Broyles Award, is in his sixth year on the Mountaineer Football coaching staff and fourth year as the defensive coordinator. Under Lesley’s guidance, the Mountaineer defense competes each year as one of the best units in the Big 12 Conference and in the nation.
In 2023, West Virginia’s defense produced 6.5 tackles for loss per game, ranking No. 2 in the Big 12 and tied for No. 14 among Power Five schools. The Mountaineers showed an improvement of 40 places from 2022 (No. 67) to No. 27 in 2023. It also ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 in sacks, averaging 2.5 per game, tying for No. 19 in Power Five. The 33 sacks were the most since 2019 and WVU held 11 of its last 12 opponents to fewer than 300 yards passing.
Cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr., an All-Big 12 Conference First-Team honoree, earned a spot on 10 different AllAmerica teams in 2023. He became WVU’s 13th consensus All-American and 112th All-American, including the 49th since 2002. He led the nation in passes defended (24) and breakups (20), was second in forced incompletions (17) and was tied for No. 19 in interceptions (4). He finished No. 2 in WVU history for single-season pass breakups (20).
In 2022, fifth-year senior defensive tackle Dante Stills finished as the school’s all-time leader in games played (59) and tackles for loss (52½) and was fourth in sacks (23½). He finished his career earning All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors twice (2021, 2022) and second team twice (2019, 2020). He earned a spot in the 2023 NFL Combine and was drafted in the sixth round by the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
Safety Aubrey Burks was named an All-Big 12 Conference Second Team selection by the Associated Press, Phil Steele named linebacker Lee Kpogba to the all-conference second team and defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson to the third team.
The defense finished with three touchdowns, ranking No. 12 nationally and the rushing defense finished No. 4 in the Big 12, improving three spots from the previous year.
In 2021, WVU finished No. 5 nationally in red zone defense, an improvement of 67 spots from the year before, was No. 18 in fewest defensive first downs allowed and in fourth-down percentage, No. 29 in third-down defense (.347), No. 37 in total defense (350.1) and No. 39 in tackles for loss (6 1/2), an improvement of nine spots from the 2020 season.
The WVU defense had an outstanding year in 2020, leading the nation in pass defense and ranking No. 4 in in total defense (291.4), No. 21 in scoring defense (20.5), No. 23 in interceptions (11), No. 24 in pass efficiency defense (121.52) and No. 28 in rushing defense (131.8).
Darius Stills was named the program’s first Consensus All-American since 2006 and 12th in school history. He was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, an All-Big 12 Conference First Team lineman for the second straight year and was signed as a free agent by the Las Vegas Raiders. Over his final two years, he finished with 10.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss.
Akheem Mesidor was an All-Big 12 Conference Second Team honoree and also earned freshman All-America honors, and Dante Stills earned All-Big 12 Conference Second Team honors by the AP.
In 2019, his defensive line enjoyed a successful season for the Mountaineer defense, finishing No. 25 nationally in sacks and No. 35 in tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Darius and Dante Stills were tied for No. 2 in the Big 12 in sacks and Darius was No. 5 in tackles for loss and Dante was No. 10. The Stills brothers earned All-Big 12 Conference honors, Darius (first team) and Dante (second team).
Lesley joined the Mountaineer coaching staff as the defensive line coach in 2019. He came with Neal Brown after serving as an assistant coach at Troy for three years (201618), the first two years as the defensive tackles coach and the 2018 season as the defensive line coach.
From 2016-18, Troy’s defense allowed 20.8 points per game, ranking No. 4 nationally among non-power 5 schools. Three of Lesley’s defensive linemen were named to the All-Sun Belt Conference team, including Trevon Saunders, who earned first-team honors.
Prior to Troy, Lesley was the defensive coordinator at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Mississippi (2013-15), before serving two stints at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Mississippi, first as defensive line coach in 2010 and then as the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2012. He also spent two stints at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas, first as the linebackers coach from 2007-09, and as the defensive coordinator in 2011. He spent a year as a graduate assistant coach at Troy in 2006.
While at East Mississippi, Lesley’s defenses allowed an average of just 10.3 points and 232.1 yards per game as the Lions posted a combined 32-1 record with national titles in 2013 and 2014. Additionally, the Lions tallied 149 quarterback sacks and 57 interceptions in his three seasons.
In his first season at East Mississippi, the Lions recorded an NJCAA-best 67 sacks and finished second nationally with 30 interceptions and allowed just 9.8 points per game.
The 2012 NWCC squad claimed the school’s first bowl victory in 20 years and earned a No. 9 NJCAA final ranking. The 2010 Northwest team posted an undefeated regular season on the way to finishing with a No. 6 national ranking.
Lesley helped lead Kilgore to the 2007 Southwest Junior College Football Conference Championship en route to an appearance in the Heart of Texas Bowl. During his four seasons at Kilgore, Lesley helped direct the Rangers to three consecutive playoff appearances while helping tutor 11 players that went on to sign at four-year schools, including six NJCAA All-Americans.
As a graduate assistant at Troy, he began his coaching career on the 2006 Sun Belt Conference championship team. The Trojans won seven of their last eight games that season, including a 41-17 victory over Rice in the New Orleans Bowl.
Lesley was a versatile player for the Trojans and was a key part of teams that successfully made the transition to the FBS ranks. A two-year starter at tight end, Lesley helped lead Troy to the 2004 Silicon Valley Bowl and was named a team captain.
A native of Fulton, Mississippi, Lesley was a three-time all-district performer at Itawamba Agricultural High School, earning Class 4A All-State Second Team as a senior in 1999.
Lesley and his wife, Ann-Katherine, have two daughters, Mary Kate and Mae Blake and a son, Jordan Blake Jr.
THE LESLEY FAMILY: Mary Kate, Jordan, Jordan Jr., Ann Katherine and Mae Blake
THE SCOTT FILE
Year at WVU: 6 Year in Collegiate Coaching: 19 Birthday: June 11
Hometown: Plant City, Florida
Wife: Shambrica
Children: Kori and Jakobe
High School: Plant City College: North Carolina, ‘04 Bowl Games Coached: 8
SCOTT
Offensive Coordinator/ Running Backs
@CoachChadScott CHAD
Chad Scott, in his second year as the offensive coordinator, is in his sixth year on Neal Brown’s coaching staff at West Virginia. Scott was the co-offensive coordinator for his first three years, before serving as the run game coordinator in 2022 and has coached the running backs all five years.
West Virginia finished with 2,976 rushing yards in 2023, ranking No. 1 among Power 5 schools. In Big 12 games, WVU was the only school to finish with more than 2,000 rushing yards (2,211). Among Power 5 schools, WVU has the longest streak of games with 140 or more rushing yards (16), three more than any other team. In Big 12 games, the Mountaineers led the league in rushing yards per game (245.67) and tied for No. 1 in rushing touchdowns (24).
Freshman running back Jahiem White was named to The Athletic’s Freshman All-America Team and On3’s True Freshman All-America Team, marking the eighth time in the past 10 years that WVU has had a player named to a freshman All-America team and 14th since 2005. White led the Big 12 in yards per carry at 7.7, marking the most by any freshman running back and breaking WVU’s single-season record.
White led WVU with 1,086 all-purpose yards, including 842 rushing, 125 receiving and 119 kickoff return yards.
CJ Donaldson Jr. tied for No. 5 in the Big 12 and No 39 nationally in rushing touchdowns (11), ranked No. 8 in the Big 12 in touchdowns and No. 10 in rushing yards (798). He scored a touchdown in nine straight games during the season and 10 of the 12 games in which he played.
Quarterback Garrett Greene tied for No. 1 nationally in quarterback rushing touchdowns (13), No. 2 in passing yards per completion (16.37), No. 9 in rushing yards per carry (6.43), No. 20 in yards per pass attempt (8.69) and points responsible for per game (14.8) and tied for No. 22 in rushing touchdowns (13).
Tight end Kole Taylor became the first Mountaineer tight end since 1991 to lead the team in receptions, racking up 444 yards on 35 catches and four touchdowns.
In 2022, West Virginia’s running game averaged 171.5 yards per game in 2022 as he built a strong unit of depth and consistency. Running backs Tony Mathis, Justin Johnson, CJ Donaldson and Jaylen Anderson combined for 1,793 yards and 18 touchdowns.
In 2021, running back Leddie Brown finished with more than 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight season (1,065) and finished with a team-high 14 offensive touchdowns.
In 2020, the Mountaineers had the most improved offense in the country in terms of total yards. Their running game improved production by more than 60 yards per game, more than 90 yards of total offense and almost seven points a game.
Leddie Brown rushed for 1,010 yards and nine touchdowns, earning All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors. Brown averaged 5.1 yards per carry and was ranked No. 14 nationally in rushing yards (1,010), No. 26 in touchdowns (11), No. 27 in rushing yards per game (101.0) and No. 31 in rushing touchdowns (9).
Scott has worked with coach Neal Brown during three different coaching tenures: Kentucky (RB/2013-14), Texas Tech (RB/2010-12) and Troy (RB/2007-09). He was a teammate of Brown’s at UK. He came to WVU after serving as the tight ends and hybrids coach at North Carolina from 2016-18.
In 2018, the Tar Heel offense ranked No. 31 nationally in total offense, averaging 442.1 yards per game. Tight end
Carl Tucker was named to the Mackey Award preseason watch list, and he and his teammate, Jake Bargas, averaged more than 10 yards per reception.
In 2016, Scott was part of an offensive staff that oversaw the establishment of more than 40 individual and team records, including passing yards and passing yards per game.
Scott returned to Chapel Hill after coaching at Kentucky, where he tutored running backs from 2013-15 and was the run-game coordinator in 2014-15.
He spent three seasons at Texas Tech from 2010-12. While the Red Raiders were known for throwing the ball, Scott’s running backs made significant contributions to the offense. The Red Raiders rushed for 135.7 yards per game and scored 52 rushing touchdowns during his three seasons. TTU’s primary running backs averaged 5.0 yards per attempt.
Scott inherited a running attack that ranked No. 115 in rushing offense in 2009 at 84 yards per game, improving that mark in his first season to No. 75 nationally with 141.3 yards per contest. The team’s leading rusher, Baron Batch, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The improvements continued in Scott’s second season as Texas Tech was on pace to have its best year rushing since the late 1990s before Tech’s top two rushers sustained season-ending injuries.
In 2012, Tech averaged 139.9 yards per game rushing with three backs each rushing for more than 400 yards
Scott earned his first full-time coaching job at Troy as an assistant coach for running backs from 2007-09, helping lead the Trojans to three consecutive Sun Belt Conference Championships and a pair of appearances in the New Orleans Bowl.
In each of Scott’s first two seasons, he coached an AllSun Belt Conference player in Kenny Cattouse and DuJuan Harris. Harris, who played in the NFL for seven years, ranked No. 2 in the conference in rushing in 2008 with 1,077 yards
A native of Plant City, Florida, Scott began his collegiate playing career at Kentucky before transferring to North Carolina, where he lettered in 2003 and 2005. He earned first-team All-ACC honors from ESPN.com after rushing for 796 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior. Scott made his first career start as a Tar Heel against No. 4 Miami and rushed for a career-high 175 yards on 25 carries and scored twice in a 31-28 victory.
Scott spent time in the National Football League with the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers before returning to his alma mater in 2006 as a graduate assistant video analyst. He graduated from UNC in 2004 with a degree in sociology. He is married to the former Shambrica Jones, who played basketball at Kentucky. The couple has a daughter, Kori, and a son, Jakobe.
THE SCOTT FAMILY: Kori, Chad, Jakobe and Shambrica
Year at WVU: 4 Year in Collegiate Coaching: 19 Birthday: November 20
Hometown: Danville, Kentucky Wife: Rhonda
Children: Shaelyn, Braylon and Keenan
School: Danville College: Campbellsville, 2003
Postgraduate: University of the Cumberlands, 2008 Bowl Games Coached: 4
SHADON BROWN
Co-Defensive Coordinator/ Secondary
@Backendcoach12
ShaDon Brown is in his fourth year as the codefensive coordinator and oversees the secondary.
In 2023, the West Virginia defense showed improvement, giving up six fewer points a game than the prior year. The pass defense held 11 of its last 12 opponents to fewer than 300 yards through the air.
Cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr., an All-Big 12 Conference First Team performer, was WVU’s 112th All-America selection, including 49th since 2002. He was the program’s 13th consensus All-American, second since 2020, earning a spot on 10 teams. He signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bishop led the nation in passes defended (24) and breakups (20), was second in forced incompletions (17) and was tied for No. 19 in interceptions (4). He also was No. 2 in WVU history for single-season pass breakups (20).
In 2022, WVU finished with three defensive touchdowns, all by defensive backs (Jasir Cox, Malachi Ruffin, Jacolby Spells). That mark ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 and was No. 12 nationally. Cox led the Big 12 and was No. 22 in fumbles recovered, and Ruffin led the Mountaineers in passes defended.
Safety Aubrey Burks earned All-Big 12 Conference Second-Team honors by the league’s Associated Press writers and was named by PFF College for first-team recognition.
In Brown’s first year as the Mountaineers’ secondary coach, WVU finished No. 5 nationally in red-zone defense, an improvement of 67 spots from the year before, was No. 18 in fewest defensive first downs allowed and in fourth-down percentage, No. 29 in third-down defense (.347), No. 37 in total defense (350.1) and No. 39 in tackles for loss (6.5), an improvement of nine spots.
WVU tied for No. 2 in the Big 12 in conference games in interceptions and was No. 3 in passing defense, giving up only 211.2 yards game through the air. In all games, WVU was No. 5 in the nation in red-zone defense and No. 18 in fewest first downs allowed.
In 2021 conference games, Charles Woods was tied for No. 11 in the league in interceptions and No. 13 in passes defended. According to PFF College, he had the lowest pass rating allowed in coverage among Big 12 cornerbacks (22.1).
In 2020, the Louisville secondary led the ACC in passing defense and was No. 17 nationally, allowing 189.2 yards per game.
In 2019, Brown was named one of the top 30 recruiters in the ACC by 247Sports.
Prior to Louisville, Brown spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons at Colorado, overseeing the secondary. He was promoted to defensive passing game coordinator for the 2018 season.
The Colorado secondary thrived during Brown’s tenure in Boulder, allowing opponents to complete just 56.2% of their passes. The Buffaloes led the Pac-12 Conference in opposing completion percentage (56.7 percent) in 2018 and ranked fourth in 2017. Colorado was No. 2 in third-down defense and No. 5 in total defense and pass defense in 2018 and No. 6 in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense in 2017. Brown coached a pair of all-conference selections, Evan Worthington, who earned honorable mention honors in 2017 and 2018, and Isaiah Oliver, who was a second-team All-American and
an All-Pac-12 First Team selection in 2017. Oliver was a second-round selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2018 National Football League draft. Five players Brown coached at Colorado signed NFL contracts: Oliver (Atlanta Falcons), Delrick Abrams (Atlanta Falcons), Davion Taylor (Philadelphia Eagles), Afolabi Laguda (Los Angeles Rams) and Worthington (Baltimore Ravens).
Over his career, Brown has coached more than 18 players who have signed NFL contracts.
Brown spent the 2016 season at Army, coaching the cornerbacks. The Black Knights’ defensive backfield ranked No. 2 nationally in first-down defense, No. 4 in total defense, No. 6 in pass defense (170.2), No. 11 in interceptions (17), No. 16 in scoring defense and No. 17 in pass efficiency defense (115.12).
While Brown was on staff, Army went from a 2-10 record in 2015 to an 8-5 mark in 2016 and a win in the Heart of Dallas Bowl against North Texas.
Prior to that, Brown spent five seasons (2011-15) at Wofford, the first four as cornerbacks coach before switching to the safeties for his final year. Brown was also special teams coordinator during the 2013-14 seasons, before being promoted to recruiting coordinator in 2015. He coached three all-conference corners at Wofford, including Blake Wylie, who earned third-team All-America honors in 2012.
In the summer of 2015, he participated in the NFL’s program for minority coaches by interning with the Super Bowl 50 runner-up Carolina Panthers, where he worked with the defensive backs.
Before joining the Wofford staff, Brown coached in the high school ranks in Kentucky. From 2008-10, he served as the head coach at Rowan County High, where he led the Vikings to the 2010 Class 4A District 8 Championship, the school’s first title since 1982. He was named the Kentucky Class 4A District 8 Coach of the Year in 2010, and 10 of his players went on to play college football. He was an assistant coach at Boyle County High (Neal Brown’s alma mater) for the 2007 season.
He started his coaching career in 2003 as a graduate assistant helping tutor the linebackers at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. After one year, he was promoted to the full-time assistant coach for the inside linebackers (2004-05), helping lead the Patriot football team to as high as No. 5 in the national rankings. In 2006, he returned to his alma mater, Campbellsville, as the inside linebackers coach for one season.
Brown graduated with his bachelor’s degree in physical education and a minor in health education from Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky in 2003 and earned his master’s degreew in secondary education from the University of the Cumberlands in 2008. He and his wife, Rhonda, have a daughter, Shaelyn, and two sons, Braylon and Keenan.
THE BROWN FAMILY: Braylon, Rhonda, ShaDon and Keenan
THE KOONZ FILE
Year at WVU: 5
Year in Collegiate Coaching: 21
Birthday: May 30
Hometown: Wallkill, N.Y.
Wife: Maura
Children: Mary Margaret, Jameson and MacKenzie
High School: Central Holmes (Lexington, Miss.)
College: Auburn, ’04
Postgraduate: Texas, ’06
Bowl Games Coached: 11
COACHING EXPERIENCE
JEFF KOONZ
Special
Jeff Koonz is in his fifth year on the Mountaineer coaching staff as the special teams coordinator and the inside linebackers coach.
In 2023, the punt return defense once again had a stellar year, ranking No. 5 nationally, giving up an average of 0.23 yards per return. WVU ranked No. 27 in net punting, averaging 40.8 yards and No. 39 in punt returns, averaging 10.23 yards per return and returned one for a touchdown against UNC in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
The Mountaineers were responsible for three blocked field goal attempts last season, ranking No. 10 nationally, which included two to seal the win at TCU.
Kicker Michael Hayes II was 17-for-21 on his field goal attempts, No. 2 in the Big 12 and tied for No. 34 nationally. Returner Preston Fox averaged 8.1 yards per punt return and was ranked No. 28 nationally and averaged 21.5 yards per kickoff return.
Oliver Straw averaged 43.0 yards per punt, had eight punts of 50 yards or more, placed 19 inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and had 20 result in a fair catch.
Linebacker Lee Kpogba finished No. 9 in the Big 12 Conference with 7.5 tackles per game.
In 2022, Straw earned Freshman All-America honors, finishing with an average of 42.3 yards per punt, had seven punts of 50 yards or more and placed 17 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Kicker Casey Legg connected on 14-of-15 field goals, including hitting his first 13 of the season. He was No. 8 nationally in field goal percentage and No. 5 in the Big 12 in field goals made per game. He finished his career No. 7 in program history in field goals made (40) and is No. 8 in kick scoring (208).
Linebacker Lee Kpogba earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors after leading the WVU defense with 92 tackles and was No. 8 in the league.
In 2021, Legg was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, signifying the top kicker in college football. He hit 19-of-23 field goals and all 35 extra points and led WVU in scoring (92). He was first in the Big 12 Conference and No. 18 nationally in field goals made per game (1.6), No. 4 in the league and No. 26 nationally in field goal percentage. Punter Tyler Sumpter was No. 2 in the Big 12 Conference and No. 36 nationally in punting, and Winston Wright Jr. was No. 19 nationally in kickoff return average per game. Wright was named an All-Big 12 Conference First Team selection by PFF College.
WVU’s defense finished No. 5 nationally in red zone defense, an improvement of 67 spots from the year before, was No. 18 in fewest defensive first downs allowed and in fourth-down percentage, No. 29 in third-down defense (.347), No. 37 in total defense (350.1) and No. 39 in tackles for loss (6.5), an improvement of nine spots from the 2020 season.
The WVU defense had an outstanding year in 2020, leading the nation in pass defense and ranking No. 4 in total defense (291.4), No. 21 in scoring defense (20.5), No. 23 in interceptions (11), No. 24 in pass efficiency defense (121.52) and No. 28 in rushing defense (131.8).
Tony Fields II led the Mountaineers and the Big 12 with 88 tackles, ranking No. 27 nationally. He was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and the Reese’s Senior Bowl All-American team and was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
WVU’s kickoff return defense was the best in the Big 12 and No. 39 in the nation, and the punt return defense was No. 3 in the Big 12 and No. 17 in
the nation.
Koonz came to West Virginia after serving as the inside linebackers coach at Ole Miss for the 2019 season.
Prior to that, Koonz spent two years at North Texas, coaching the linebackers, before being promoted to codefensive coordinator for the 2018 season.
Koonz spent three years at Cincinnati, coaching the safeties in 2014, and linebackers in 2015 and 2016. In 2015, he mentored second-team All-AAC selection Eric Wilson and freshman standout Bryce Jenkinson, who finished first (106) and third (59) on the team in tackles, respectively.
Before his tenure at Cincinnati, Koonz spent four seasons at Louisiana Tech. During the 2013 campaign, Tech’s first as a member of Conference USA, he coached the linebackers, led by Conference USA honorable mention player Daniel Cobb, who finished the season with 82 total tackles. In 2011, Tech’s starting linebackers Adrien Cole and Jay Dudley accounted for 230 total tackles - 65% of Tech’s tackles for the season. Cole led the team with 128 tackles and 13 tackles for a loss as he was named first team All-Western Athletic Conference and the WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Dudley was responsible for 102 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and four interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. In 2010, his first year at Louisiana Tech, three of his linebackers finished the season in the top four on the team in tackles, with Cole earning second-team All-WAC honors.
The Wallkill, New York, native previously served as a defensive quality control assistant at Texas, helping lead the Longhorns to a Big 12 title and an appearance in the 2009 BCS national championship game against Alabama. He also served at Texas as a graduate assistant from 2005-06 and linebackers’ coach toward the conclusion of the 2006 season. The Longhorns won the Big 12 championship and national championship in 2005.
Prior to his second stint at Texas, Koonz was the secondary coach at Iowa State for two seasons under Gene Chizik, while also assisting with special teams from 2007-08. Koonz was also a graduate assistant coach at Auburn during the 2004 campaign under Tommy Tuberville, coaching the secondary. While at Auburn, he worked on staffs that led the Tigers to the 2002 Capital One Bowl championship, a 2003 Music City Bowl victory, the 2004 SEC championship and a win in the 2004 Nokia Sugar Bowl.
He graduated from Auburn in 2004 with a bachelor’s of science degree in physical education and his master’s degree in educational administration from Texas in 2006.
Koonz, and his wife, Maura, have two daughters, Mary Margaret and MacKenzie Rae, and a son, Jameson Jeffrey.
THE KOONZ FAMILY: Front (left to right) Mary Margaret, MacKenzie and Jameson. Back (left to right): Maura and Jeff
THE ALLEN FILE
Year at WVU: 4
Year in Collegiate Coaching: 9
Birthday: April 1
Hometown: Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
High School: St. Stanislaus
College: LSU, ’18 Bowl Games Coached: 4
COACHING EXPERIENCE 2024 West Virginia
ALLEN
Quarterbacks
@CoachTylerAllen TYLER
Tyler Allen is in his first year as the quarterbacks coach at WVU and the fourth year on the Mountaineer Football coaching staff.
Allen returned to WVU in August 2022 as an offensive analyst and added the title of special assistant to the head coach in the 2023 spring.
During that time, Allen organized, implemented and maintained all aspects of game analysis for the offensive coaching staff and managed the walk-on program. He charted/tracked statistics during practice and competition, analyzed game film and formulated game plans to assist the offensive coaching staff with game preparation. He organized the practice schedule, managed the offensive graduate assistants and student coaches and supported the head coach with recruiting communication. He assisted the head coach and staff with on-campus recruiting operations and oversaw the administration of the offensive plan for the high school coaches clinic.
Prior to returning to WVU, he served as the assistant offensive line coach at Rice in 2022 and was the quarterbacks coach at Jacksonville State for two years (2020-21).
While at Jacksonville State, he was involved in all areas of game planning, helping renovate the pass, run-pass-option and screen game of its offense. He also recruited Atlanta, south Alabama, Mississippi and the Mississippi junior colleges.
In 2021, the Gamecocks achieved one of the biggest upsets in the school history, defeating Florida State, 20-17, in Tallahassee.
The Gamecocks finished with a 10-3 record in 2020 and won the Ohio Valley Conference championship and were the No. 4 national seed in the NCAA FCS Playoffs, earning a spot in the quarterfinals. His quarterback, Zion Webb, earned all-conference first-team honors.
Allen served as an offensive graduate assistant, working with the Mountaineer quarterbacks from January 2019 until he left in 2020 to become the quarterbacks coach at Jacksonville State.
Before coming to WVU, he served for a year on Neal Brown’s staff at Troy as a graduate assistant coach, working with the quarterbacks before coming to Morgantown. He also served as an offensive student assistant coach at LSU from 2016-18. He worked with Danny Etling, who was a seventh round draft choice of the New England Patriots.
Allen earned his bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in personal investment at LSU in 2018. Prior to attending LSU, he was a quarterback for Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for two years.
THE CABRAL FILE
Year at WVU: 1
Year in Collegiate Coaching: 18
Birthday: December 31
Hometown: Naples, Florida
Wife: Erin
Children: Zac and Lucy
High School: Naples
College: Georgia Southern, ’06
Postgraduate: Georgia Southern, ’13 Bowl Games Coached: 4
COACHING EXPERIENCE
2024 West
CABRAL
Outside Linebackers
@Coach_Cab VICTOR
Victor Cabral is in his first year on the Mountaineer coaching staff as the outside linebackers coach.
Cabral comes to WVU after serving as the defensive line coach at Appalachian State for the 2023 season, helping lead the Mountaineers to a 9-5 record and the Sun Belt Conference’s East Division Championship, ending the season with a win over Miami, Ohio, in the Cure Bowl. In 2023, the defense showed improvement in every pass rushing statistic, finishing with 35 sacks and 86 tackles for loss. The Mountaineers finished No. 9 nationally in turnovers gained, No. 15 in interceptions, No. 16 in fumbles recovered, No. 33 in sacks (increased 14 spots) and No. 34 in tackles for loss (increased 42 spots). In conference games, App State was tied for No. 2 in interceptions, No. 3 in sacks (No. 11 the prior year), No. 5 in scoring defense and No. 5 in pass efficiency defense.
Redshirt freshman defensive end Santana Hopper finished with 7.5 tackles for loss and earned Freshman All-America honors.
A standout defensive lineman and team captain at Georgia Southern from 200004, Cabral spent 11 years on the Eagles’ coaching staff over three different stints and also has coached at Samford and Georgia Military College.
Several of his pupils played in the NFL, including Raymond Johnson III, Ahmad Gooden, Michael Pierce and Brent Russell.
Under Cabral’s tutelage in 2020, Johnson earned All-America honors after recording 14.5 tackles for loss and a schoolrecord 15 quarterback hurries. Georgia Southern’s defensive line combined for 34.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks as the defense finished No. 15 nationally in rushing defense..
In 2018, all three of Cabral’s starters along the defensive line — Johnson, Logan Hunt and Ty Phillips — earned all-conference honors as the Eagles produced a stout run defense that allowed just 140.5 yards per game. In 2019, Johnson earned first-team all-conference honors again, and Cabral’s line corps combined for 35.5 tackles for loss.
While he was the defensive line coach at Samford from 201517, the Bulldogs made to the FCS playoffs twice. He coached Gooden, the 2017 Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award after totaling 101 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 11 quarterback pressures, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble from his tackle spot.
He tutored four All-SoCon players during his time at Samford, including three-time selection
Gooden, Pierce in 2015 and Roosevelt Donaldson in 2016.
Cabral spent the 2014 season as the director of player personnel at Georgia Southern.
From 2010-13, he served as the defensive line coach at Georgia Southern. Cabral worked with several standout players, including Russell, a four-time All-American and 2011 Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year who became the Eagles’ career sacks leader in 2012.
Cabral spent three years as the defensive line coach at Georgia Military College from 2007-09, while also serving as special teams coordinator for the Bulldogs. In 2007, the GMC defensive unit earned a No. 1 ranking in rushing defense in the NJCAA. The next season, the Bulldogs ranked third nationally in total defense. The Bulldogs also had several individuals earn national accolades. Leroy Burgess was selected as a NJCAA Third-Team All-American in 2007, and Torrey Ball was a second-team All-America honoree in 2008.
Under the tutelage of Cabral, Markeith Wylie was recognized as an Academic All-American First Team selection in 2007. Thirteen GMC players coached by Cabral received scholarships to NCAA Division I programs during his three seasons in Milledgeville.
Cabral spent the 2005 season coordinating video and quality control at Georgia Southern.
A four-year starter, Cabral was part of Georgia Southern’s 2000 national championship team, two NCAA semifinal playoff appearances and four conference titles during his career. Following his collegiate playing career, he was the 24th overall draft pick by the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL in 2005.
A native of Naples, Florida, Cabral earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern in 2006 and his master’s degree in 2013. Cabral and his wife, Erin, a four-year letterwinner and team captain for the Georgia Southern swimming team and a two-time GS graduate, are the parents of a son, Zac, and a daughter, Lucy.
THE CABRAL FAMILY: Zac, Erin, Lucy and Victor
THE JACKSON FILE
Year at WVU: 4
Year in Collegiate Coaching: 12
Birthday: February 18
Hometown: Middletown, N.Y.
Wife: Blair
Child: Naomi
High School: John S. Burke Catholic College: LIU Post, ’11
Postgraduate: Penn State, ’17 Bowl Games Coached: 5
JACKSON
Defensive Line
@CoachJaxDL ANDREW
Andrew Jackson is in his fourth year as the defensive line coach.
In 2023, Jackson’s defensive line was able to use as many as three-deep across the front, showcasing development at the position. West Virginia’s defense ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 and tied for No. 19 in Power Five in sacks (33). The defense produced 84 tackles for loss (6.5 per game), ranking No. 2 in the Big 12 and tied for No. 14 among Power 5 schools. The defensive line was responsible for 16 sacks and 37 tackles for loss.
In 2022, fifth-year defensive tackle Dante Stills finished as the school’s all-time leader in games played (59) and tackles for loss (52½) and was fourth in sacks (23½). He finished his career earning All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors twice (2021, 2022), second team twice (2019, 2020), earning a spot in the 2023 NFL Combine and being drafted in the sixth round by the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
The defense finished No. 4 in the Big 12 in rushing defense, and over the past two seasons, posted 53 sacks, finishing in the top five of the league. Defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson also earned third team honors by Phil Steele.
In 2021, the defensive line finished with 20 1/2 sacks and 40 tackles for loss and were ranked No. 39 nationally in tackles for loss.
Dante Stills earned All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors by the league coaches, Associated Press and Phil Steele after leading the defense with seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss.
Taijh Alston was named one of the Mayo Clinic semifinalists for Comeback Player of the Year, Jordan Jefferson was named an All-Big 12 Third-Team honoree by PFF College and Akheem Mesidor was named an All-Big 12 Third-Team selection by Phil Steele.
Jackson came to Morgantown after serving as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for defense at Old Dominion in 2020.
He joined the ODU staff after spending the 2019 season at James Madison as the defensive tackles coach. While at JMU, the Dukes led the FCS in total defense and were third in scoring defense. Defensive tackle Mike Greene led the Colonial Athletic Association in sacks by an interior lineman and was allconference.
Jackson was the defensive quality control coach at Mississippi State in 2018, where he helped the Bulldogs to an 8-5 record and berth in the Outback Bowl. MSU ranked in the top 10 nationally in eight defensive categories, including a No. 1 ranking in total defense (263.1). Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat were All-SEC.
In 2017, Jackson coached the defensive line at Fordham. He was responsible for game planning the run game, pass protection and third-down blitz packages and prepared the opponent scouting report for the defense.
Prior to that, Jackson was a graduate assistant with the defensive line for two years at Penn State. Two players he worked with earned national attention, All-American Carl Nassib and consensus All-American Anthony Zettel. Nassib was the Big Ten’s Bronko Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and was the Hendricks Award and Lombardi Award winner.
Jackson spent two years as an assistant coach at Stony Brook, first as a graduate assistant and then as assistant defensive line coach. One of his players, Aaron Thompson went on to rank among the top 10 nationally in sacks and was All-CAA First Team.
Jackson started his coaching career at LIU Post as a graduate assistant.
Jackson was a three-year captain and three-year starter for LIU Post. He was an All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Second Team honoree as a senior after recording five sacks and 12 tackles for loss for the Pioneers. He was a member of the National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society and was awarded two of the athletics department’s most prestigious honors, the Christine Webb Award and the Roy Illowit Award.
Jackson earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education science and coaching from Long Island University in 2011 and three master’s degrees, one in Interdisciplinary studies from Long Island in 2012, liberal arts and science from Stony Brook in 2014 and educational leadership from Penn State in 2017.
He was a member of the National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society and was awarded two of the athletics department’s most prestigious honors, the Christine Webb Award and the Roy Illowit Award.
Jackson earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education science and coaching from Long Island University in 2011 and three master’s degrees, one in Interdisciplinary studies from Long Island in 2012, liberal arts and science from Stony Brook in 2014 and educational leadership from Penn State in 2017.
He and his wife, the former Blair Kersh, have a daughter, Naomi.
THE JACKSON FAMILY: Blair, Naomi and Andrew (AJ)
THE MARSHALL FILE
Year at WVU: 4
Year in Collegiate Coaching: 5
Birthday: February 5
Hometown: Miami Gardens, Fla.
Wife: Alexa
Child: Ryder
High School: Dade Christian College: Purdue, ‘16
Postgraduate: WVU, ‘21
Bowl Games Coached: 2
COACHING EXPERIENCE
MARSHALL
Receivers @Coach__Lal BILAL
Bilal Marshall is in his second year on the Mountaineer coaching staff as the receivers coach. He was a graduate assistant on Neal Brown’s coaching staff in 2020 and 2021, working with the wide receivers.
In 2023, the Mountaineers had two players ranked in the top 16 in yards per reception in FBS (Hudson Clement - No. 3, 21.82 yards per reception and Devin Carter - No. 16, 18.56 yards per reception).
Clement led the team with 177 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his first career start against Duquesne, joining Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey as the only Mountaineers to reach 175 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in one game.
The Mountaineers averaged 15.02 passing yards per completion, ranking No. 2 in the Big 12 and No. 3 among Power 5 schools.
Marshall rejoined the Mountaineer Football coaching staff as the receivers coach in January 2023. He returned to West Virginia after serving as the wide receivers coach at VMI in 2022. His leading receiver, Chance Knox, had 58 catches for 535 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Isaiah Lemmond earned All-Southern Conference Freshman honors after finishing second on the team with 29 catches for 453 receiving yards and a touchdown. Lemmond recorded two or more catches in the last six games, including six against No. 9 Chattanooga, Furman and No. 10 Samford.
Prior to VMI, Marshall was an offensive graduate assistant on Neal Brown’s coaching staff in 2020 and 2021, working with the wide receivers.
In 2020, WVU had three receivers with 30 or more catches, three with 400 or more yards and five with multiple touchdowns. Winston
Wright Jr. earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors after collecting a team-high 47 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2021, the Mountaineers had four receivers with 30 or more receptions, three with more than 500 yards receiving and four with multiple touchdowns. Two of his receivers, Wright and Bryce Ford-Wheaton, were named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention performers.
Marshall began his coaching career at Champagnat High School in Miami, Florida, where he was the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach for a team that won the Class 2A State Championship in 2019.
Marshall played the 2017 season in the Canadian Football League for the Ottawa Red Blacks.
He was a receiver for Purdue from 2012-16 and played in the Heart of Dallas Bowl in 2012. As a senior, he was the team’s second-leading receiver with 40 catches for 477 yards and three touchdowns.
Marshall, a native of Miami Gardens, Florida, with numerous ties to that area, earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue in 2016 in organizational leadership and his master’s degree from WVU in communications studies in 2021.
Marshall, and his wife, Alexa, have a son, Ryder Joaquin.
Coaching Assistant – daily operations for the offense and special teams units
BLAINE
STEWART
Tight Ends @CoachBlaineStew
Blaine Stewart is in his second year on the Mountaineer coaching staff as the tight ends coach.
Stewart’s tight ends made an immediate impact in his first year on staff in 2023, not only in the run game but in the pass game as well.
Kole Taylor earned All-Big 12 Second-Team honors, while leading the team in receptions, ranking No. 3 in receiving yards and yards per game and tying for first in receiving touchdowns with four. Taylor became the first Mountaineer tight end since 1991 to lead the team in receptions, racking up 444 yards on 35 catches.
Stewart came to West Virginia from the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, where he worked as the assistant wide receivers coach for three years. In that role, he assisted in game plan preparation and installation, coached the defensive scout team, broke down opponent film and conducted self-scouts. He assisted a wide receivers room in 2020 that included rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool, who led all NFL rookies in touchdown catches (9) and finished second among all rookies in total touchdowns (11).
From 2018-22, Stewart was a coaching assistant on Mike Tomlin’s staff in Pittsburgh, and he brings a total of five years of NFL experience with him to Morgantown.
In his first two NFL seasons, he worked with the offense and special teams and was responsible for quality control of the entire offensive unit. He coached the defensive scout team, compiled weekly offensive installation plans and produced opponent scouting reports. Stewart also played a significant role in leading the wide receiver position group during a coaching vacancy as well as helping the personnel department prepare for the NFL Draft and free agency.
During his five seasons with Pittsburgh, the Steelers were the AFC North Champions in 2020 and made the playoffs twice. He coached three Pro Bowl receivers in Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson. The Pittsburgh publication Steelers Depot listed him as a rising star on the Steeler coaching staff.
In January 2020, Stewart coached the West quarterbacks at the East-West Shrine Bowl, leading individual meetings and being involved in all aspects of offensive installation, game planning and practice schedules.
Stewart started his collegiate playing career at James Madison (2013-15) as a wide receiver and holder for coaches Mickey Matthews and Everett Withers. He finished his playing career at the University of Charleston (2016-17) where he was coached by former Mountaineer football staff member Pat Kirkland. He earned two varsity letters at each school for a total of four as a collegiate player.
He received his bachelor’s degree from James Madison in 2016 and a master’s degree from Charleston in 2017. Stewart played high school football at Morgantown High School for Coach John Bowers and captained the 2013 West Virginia OVAC All-Stars who defeated the Ohio OVAC All-Stars at Wheeling Island Stadium. While at MHS, Stewart also played baseball and ran track.
He is the son of the late West Virginia head football coach Bill Stewart, who led the Mountaineers to a 28-12 (.700) three-year record from 2008-10. His mother, Karen, still resides in Morgantown.
MIKE JOSEPH
Assistant Athletics Director/ Head Coach for Football Strength and Conditioning
@WVU_FB_Strength
Mike Joseph has overseen the strength and conditioning unit at West Virginia since 2008, serving as the director until being named assistant athletics director in 2018 and assistant athletics director/head coach for football strength and conditioning in 2019.
Joseph has made it a priority to evolve the program in all areas, not only with strength and speed but also combining sport science and technology to develop a total elite athlete. He uses data analysis for measuring heart rate, movement, effort and sleep patterns as well as placing a high importance on recovery and nutrition. This has paid huge dividends in not only the physical makeup, but the mental side as well. The sports science allows the staff to monitor load management, external and internal stressors, and develop a routine to maximize performance and preparation. The goal is to develop a well-prepared athlete/ team utilizing all resources.
He administers, coordinates, develops, implements and teaches strength and conditioning programs for all WVU student-athletes with an emphasis on the football program.
Joseph has coached 27 football players who earned AllAmerica honors and more than 100 athletes who were either drafted or signed free-agent contracts in the NFL.
Joseph, who was presented with his Master Strength and Conditioning Coaching distinction in 2014, served for five years as the assistant strength coach at Notre Dame (2003-08), working with football and was responsible for the strength and conditioning
programs for baseball, volleyball and softball prior to coming back to West Virginia.
Joseph worked with the head strength coach with football, assisted with workouts, testing, conditioning, speed and agility training and in-season and offseason training schedules on a daily basis. He also was responsible for developing and training the quarterbacks, tight ends, linebackers, fullbacks and injured players.
He also had the same responsibilities with baseball, volleyball and softball. He supervised and maintained facility and equipment and scheduling all studentathletes for the school’s 27 sports.
He spent two years as an assistant strength coach at Eastern Michigan (2001-03) and as a graduate assistant at WVU (1999-2001). He also worked at Healthworks Fitness and Rehabilitation in Morgantown in the summer of 2001.
Prior to that, he was the strength and conditioning coach at Fairmont State (Aug. 1998 – May 1999), camp instructor at the Mountain State Speed and Strength Camp hosted by WVU from May 2000 until April 2001, a guest speaker and instructor at many camps and clinic and a classroom instructor and state director for the National Association of Speed and Explosion.
While at Fairmont State, Joseph was a four-year letterman and three-year captain on the football team from 1994-97. He was a three time first-team all-WVIAC selection and was named the WVIAC Offensive Player of the Year in 1996.
A 1997 regional All-American, a Burger King Scholar Athlete and a WVIAC Scholar Athlete, Joseph was selected the vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and to the Fairmont State Student Council.
Joseph earned his bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State in 1999 and received his master’s degree in from West Virginia in physical education with an emphasis in sport movement and development. He is certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) and the National Strength Coaches Association (NSCA).
He and his wife, Andre, have two sons, Quincy and Brolin.
THE JOSEPH FAMILY: Brolin, Andre, Mike and Quincy
COLEMAN BARNES
Senior Associate Athletics Director/ Chief of Staff
Coleman Barnes is the senior associate athletics director and chief of staff for the football program. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the program, including administrative personnel, external affairs and the budget. Barnes joined the Mountaineer football staff as the associate athletics director for football external affairs in February 2019.
At WVU, Barnes collaborates with the athletics administration and external units to further the West Virginia football brand and its effectiveness and efficiency. Barnes is the program’s liaison with marketing, tickets, Mountaineer Athletic Club, athletics communications and digital media, as well as Learfield.
Barnes is responsible for all program operations associated with recruiting, including hiring personnel, maintaining the budget and establishing branding and messaging. He also markets, promotes and brands the program to recruits, high school coaches, alumni and fans, including overseeing the digital and creative content, graphic design and social media platforms to promote the football brand.
Barnes organized the structure of WVU’s 5th Quarter program and Chambers Elite Climbers, to which he currently provides oversight, and he also played a role in the planning and design of the $55 million Milan Puskar Center enhancement project.
Barnes came to West Virginia from Utah State (2017-19), where he first served as the assistant vice president and deputy director of athletics for external affairs before being promoted to associate vice president and deputy director of athletics. Under the direction of the vice president and director of athletics, he was responsible for the overall administration, management and supervision of all department areas that engaged with external constituents.
He led USU’s athletic development staff and also oversaw athletics’ external departments, which included marketing and promotions, media relations and video. He also served as the liaison for ticket operations and sales and Aggie Sports Properties.
Prior to Utah State, Barnes spent four years at Miami University, where he served as the associate athletics director/senior director of development for three-and-a-half years, before being promoted to executive associate athletics director/senior director of development his last year.
During his time at Miami, he served as a co-manager for the Graduating Champions Campaign, raising more than $65 million toward the $80 million goal. In 2015, Barnes’ team raised a then-record $28.3 million in gifts and pledges, including $5.02 million in cash.
Barnes also boosted Miami’s Red & White Club membership to more than 2,000 members, a 27% increase since his arrival in 2013 and increased revenue by 24%, up to $880,000 per year.
Prior to Miami, he spent two years at UAB, as the associate athletics director for development. He oversaw Blazer Boosters, the fundraising unit for UAB Athletics, increasing the annual fund membership by 54 percent through a 16-month initiative.
Prior to UAB, Barnes served from 2008-11 at Fresno State as the executive director of The Bulldog Foundation and associate athletics director for development. As an executive administrator, he oversaw all components of the development office that raised approximately $6 million annually. He also managed a development team that successfully secured funding for a $6 million sports medicine center and a $1.2 million turf project.
From 2005-08, Barnes served as the assistant director for the UMAA Foundation, the fundraising unit for Ole Miss Athletics, playing an integral role in raising nearly $13 million annually
Prior to Ole Miss, he was a development associate for the Hurricane Club at the University of Miami (2004-05) and an intern in Harvard’s Athletics Ticket Office (200304).
Barnes graduated from Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in education in 2002 with a major in kinesiology and a minor in business. He was a three-year letterwinner on the Wildcats’ football team as the team’s long snapper. In 2004, he earned his master’s degree from Kentucky in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport management and completed his Ph.D. in higher education from Ole Miss in 2017.
A native of Bardstown, Kentucky, Barnes, and his wife, Mary Beth, have two children, Caroline and William.
PATRICK JOHNSTON Assistant Athletics Director/ Football Operations
Patrick Johnston oversees the internal operations of the football program as the assistant athletics director for football operations. He joined the WVU football staff in January 2019 as the director of football operations. He came to West Virginia with head coach Neal Brown after serving as the director of campus recruiting and assistant director of football operations at Troy for two years.
At WVU, Johnston plays a key role in future capital projects. He works closely with external entities and internal parties surrounding facility improvements and branding. Johnston leads all planning and scheduling on behalf of the football program, including team travel, game day operations, preseason training camp and in-season practices. Johnston also serves as a lead bowl game management administrator. He organizes the team leadership council and handles all event management for the football program.
Johnston spent two years (2017-18) as Troy’s director of campus recruiting and assistant director of football operations after he served as Troy’s recruiting analyst during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Prior to that, he spent one semester working with the Troy equipment department.
The Montgomery, Alabama, native spent five years as the director of member services for Wynlakes Golf and Country Club before coming to Troy in July 2015. Johnston earned his master’s degree from Troy in sport management in 2017.
DREW FABIANICH
General Manager/Director of Scouting
Drew Fabianich joined the Mountaineer Football Staff as the General Manager and the Director of Scouting in July 2023.
Fabianich was one of the first administrators in college football to serve in the general manager role, first at Auburn and now at West Virginia. He oversees roster management and serves in a management function in the areas of recruiting, player personnel, portal oversight, NIL consulting and player retention. He, and his staff, develop and produce a comprehensive scouting report of each opponent that aid the coaching staff in their advance preparation.
Fabianich came to West Virginia after spending one year as the general manager and director of scouting and development at Auburn.
He brings 38 years of teaching, coaching, talent acquisition and performance evaluation at all levels. He spent more than 18 years as part of the scouting department with the Dallas Cowboys, including his last 14 as a national scout.
He joined the Cowboys in 2003 as a Southeast and Midwest scout until he was promoted to a national scout in 2005. He scouted, evaluated and graded their national prospects. Dallas had one of the highest percentages of NFL Pro Bowlers drafted in the NFL, having 67 pro bowl appearances during his tenure.
Prior to that, Fabianich spent 18 years as a college and high school coach. His career started in 1986 at Mesa State (Colo.), as the quarterbacks, wide receivers and passing game coordinator for two years before becoming a graduate assistant at Baylor.
He then was the defensive ends coach and special teams/defensive graduate assistant at Tennessee (1990-93), defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at TennesseeMartin (1994-98), defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at Louisiana-Monroe (1998-01) and the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at W.T. White High School (2001-03) before starting with the Cowboys.
Fabianich earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado in 1988. He played quarterback and wide receiver as an undergraduate before finishing his career as an assistant receivers and safeties coach. He helped lead Mesa to conference championships in 1982-86 and earn a spot in the national championship game in 1982 and 1983.
A native of Longmont, Colorado, Fabianich and his wife, Heather, live in Morgantown. Fabianich has four children – daughters, Ashleigh and Landis, and sons, Dominic and Markus.
RASHEED MARSHALL
Director of Player Relations
West Virginia University Sports Hall of Famer and Mountaineer Legend Society member Rasheed Marshall returned to WVU in March 2023 as the director of player relations for the football program.
The former Big East Offensive Player of the Year and Mountaineer standout quarterback executes the program’s culture by having a daily presence at study hall, mandatory meals, weight room, training room and other student-athlete events and activities.
Marshall has daily communication with the head coach regarding the pulse of the team and assists the head coach with the leadership council, player counseling meetings, educational meetings, leads the Big Brother program and develops the materials for the student-athletes. He is responsible for all roll calls, including team meetings and meals. He executes the onboarding for transfer student-athletes and coordinates the mental health education program for all student-athletes. He manages all player housing and is the liaison for financial aid and stipend checks for the student-athletes.
In addition, he supports the 5th Quarter program, including educational programing in the areas of character development, leadership development, real life, social responsibility and career development.
He also serves as the liaison to the sport psychologist, counseling center, campus/ city law enforcement, student conduct, student life, drug and alcohol assistance, student-athlete development, campus recreation, housing, admissions and other student-related programs.
Marshall came to WVU after serving a personal trainer at Team Marshall Fitness in Pittsburgh, his hometown, since 2013. He was as a regional head quarterbacks coach at Sports International Academy and an on-air football analyst for ESPN+ and AT&T SportsNet since 2015.
Marshall was a member of the Mountaineer football program from 2001-05, including the final three years as the starting quarterback. Along with the Big East Offensive Player of the Year honors, he also was named the ECAC Player of the Year in 2004. His record as the starting quarterback was 24-12 and he helped WVU to four bowl game (2000 Music City, 2002 Continental, 2004 and 2005 Gator Bowl).
He finished his career with a Big East record 2,040 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns and passed for 5,558 yards and 44 touchdowns. His 68 touchdowns set the WVU career mark, and he was second in career rushing by a quarterback and in total offense and fourth in passing yards.
Marshall was a fifth-round pick by the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers (2005) as a wide receiver. He was a member of the 49ers (2005), Pittsburgh Steelers (2007) and Los Angeles Rams (2007) and Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League (2007).
Marshall graduated with his bachelor’s degree in physical education with a certificate in strength and conditioning from West Virginia in 2005. He was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame and Mountainer Legends Society in 2024.
TREY NEYER
Director of Player Personnel
Trey Neyer has been on the football staff since 2020, currently serving as the director of player personnel. He oversees the identification, development, strategy and execution of the recruiting plan for Mountaineer football. He started his tenure at WVU as the defensive recruiting coordinator, then associate director of recruiting in 2021. He was promoted to the director of recruiting in July 2022 and then director of player personnel in July 2024. He oversees all aspects of the program’s recruiting department. He maintains the program’s recruiting database, prospect identification and evaluation process. He maintains the status of scholarship offers, recruiting targets and commitments. He organizes recruiting areas, makes staff assignments and oversees the planning and organizing of the official and unofficial visits. He organizes the head coach film evaluations and prospect communication.
Prior to coming to WVU, Neyer served as the director of player personnel at Miami University (Ohio). He supervised the recruiting efforts for the RedHawks’ football program, oversaw the roster management and planning duties, managed all recruiting evaluations, and maintained and populated the program’s database. He coordinated the assistant coaches recruiting areas and assigned responsibilities and assisted with all recruiting aspects for the head coach.
Prior to that, Neyer was an offensive graduate assistant intern at Miami, working with the running backs and overseeing the team’s kickoff return responsibilities. He worked with the running backs during individual meetings and practice.
While an undergraduate student at Alabama, he was a student manager for the Crimson Tide football program. The North Bend, Ohio, native graduated with his bachelor’s degree in communication and information sciences in 2017.
TAYLOR WEST
Director of On-Campus Recruiting/ Associate Director of Football Operations
Taylor West has been on the Mountaineer football staff since April 2022, first serving as the director of on-campus recruiting and assistant director of football operations before being promoted to associate director of football operations in 2023. She coordinates and executes all on-campus recruiting efforts, including official and unofficial visits, junior days and game-day recruiting visits. She coordinates with all support staff when creating itineraries and is responsible for communicating visit information internally to all football staff, and externally to recruits, guests, campus partners and vendors.
West also manages recruiting operations, including the mass communication plan, hiring and managing of student workers and purchasing of items. For football operations, she assists with day-to-day scheduling and operations, team and staff events, donor events and home and away game travel, including organizing the travel party, team transportation, police escort and all aspects of the hotel. She also oversees current player parent/guardian communication.
In April 2023, West was one of 45 women in football operations, who participated in the NFL’s Annual Women’s Forum at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. The event connected them with coaches, general managers and leaders in professional football to provide insight and networking opportunities for their careers in the areas of scouting, coaching and football operations.
West came to WVU after serving as the director of on-campus recruiting/assistant to the head coach at Illinois. She organized official and unofficial visits and handled administrative and scheduling duties for the head coach. West was responsible for player parent/guardian and coaches’ spouse communication, along with other operations responsibilities.
West spent the summer of 2021 as the director of on-campus recruiting at Eastern Kentucky and also served as a compliance and football recruiting graduate assistant at Missouri State from August 2019 to May 2021.
The Iowa City, Iowa, native, earned her bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation management at the University of Iowa in 2019. While attending Iowa, she was a member of the women’s rowing team and earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Athlete honors. West spent the 2018-19 year as a recruiting operations intern at Stanford. She completed her master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Missouri State in 2021. Her thesis on athletic identity and academic success was published in the Journal of Student-Athlete Educational Development and Success.
ZACK FINCHER
Associate Director of Student-Athlete Enhancement
Zack Fincher is the associate director of student-athlete enhancement for the Mountaineer Football program. He joined the Mountaineer Football staff as the assistant director of Chambers Elite Climbers in December 2022 and then was promoted to his current position in July 2024. He started as a graduate assistant in the office of Student-Athlete Academic Services in 2021.
In his role, Fincher coordinates the operations of the Chambers Elite Climbers program and assists with the community outreach program. He works closely with John Chambers College of Business and Economics leadership team to ensure the program is executed effectively and provides select student-athletes enhanced off-the-field education and development. He also supports and participates in tracks offered to Chambers Elite Climbers student-athletes, including entrepreneurship and innovation, technology, financial education and communication.
As part of the program, he executes humanitarian ventures, organizes cultural field trips to expand the total development of the student-athletes, focuses on career development and collaborates with the Center for Career Development in the College of Business and Economics and WVU Career Services Center to provide student-athletes access to career developmental resources and connect them with employers.
Fincher served as a student-athlete experience and leadership development intern at Robert Morris, worked in stadium operations support for the Cleveland Browns in the areas of security, guest services and stadium operations and was an operations intern with the Washington Commanders.
Fincher earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management with a minor in business administration from Slippery Rock and his master’s degree in higher education administration from West Virginia.
JAKE HERRON
Associate Director of Creative Content
Jake Herron is the associate director of creative content for the Mountaineer football program.
At WVU, he develops, builds and creates the identity for the football program used in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes. He will work with the staff to develop graphics and creative assets for use on social platforms, on-campus and off-campus recruitment. He also will work closely with the coaching staff to develop recruiting plans and supporting graphics for selling the program’s vision.
Herron came to West Virginia in June 2022 after serving as a graphic designer for the Penn State football staff. He created graphics for social media, game day, match-up and statistical graphics for the Nittany Lion football program. He collaborated with the creative graphics staff on keeping a consistent brand throughout the football program. Herron also created personalized, generic and specialized graphics used in the recruiting process. He directed player photoshoots, recruiting photoshoots and designs graphics for facility graphics. He also created national signing day branding, design elements and social media graphics used in the announcement of signing class.
He also earned valuable experience as a freelance graphic designer (2020-21) with the Pitt women’s basketball program and a graphic designer intern (2020 summer) with Pitt Athletics. He also oversaw numerous design projects for area high schools in Western Pennsylvania.
Herron earned his bachelor’s degree in graphic design from California University of Pennsylvania in 2021.
ANDREW MALEWICZ
Associate Director of Creative Video
Andrew Malewicz joined the Mountaineer football staff in April 2023 as the assistant director of creative video and was promoted to associate director in July 2024.
At WVU, Malewicz writes, produces and directs the football program’s video projects, including recruiting materials, web features and hype videos. He also assists with the oversight, production and management of content for the football program’s social media platforms and digital information strategies. He works creatively to develop innovative digital and social media strategies to increase engagement with fans.
He came to WVU from Western Michigan, where he was a creative associate in the athletics department. Working with all sports, with an emphasis on football, he was responsible for the content creation of social media and in-house production to increase audience engagement. His duties at consisted of photo content, hype videos, game recaps, interviews and cinematic pieces.
He also spent time with Bleacher Report filming, editing and creating recaps and content for use on all official Bleacher Report platforms. In the summers of 2016 and 2017, he got his start in the creative profession at TI Automotive developing and editing training videos for global internal distribution within the company.
Malewicz earned his bachelor’s degree in university studies from Western Michigan in the fall of 2022.
TY HUNDLEY
Assistant Director of Creative Content
Ty Hundley joined the WVU football staff in September 2023 as the assistant director of creative content.
He works as part of the creative team, designing content for the promotion of the football program, including a heavy emphasis on recruiting. He produces content and materials that highlight and communicate information about the program on a variety of platforms, including print, web, social media and internal team distribution.
Hundley works with the associate director of creative content and the recruiting and social media teams to produce creative and innovative content for prospective student-athletes. He creates graphics, develops conceptual ideas/designs and various visual materials for promotional/marketing purposes such as brochures, posters, flyers, web pages and media.
Hundley came to West Virginia after serving as the creative coordinator at LouisianaMonroe. While at ULM, he oversaw the creative content for the football program that led the nation in twitter follower growth in 2021 and the social media interactions increased by 189%, ranking No. 2 nationally.
Prior to that, he was the assistant director of recruiting at Louisiana Tech, recruiting graphic designer at the University of Miami and the varsity defensive line coach at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio.
He served as a graduate assistant coach at Akron, working with the defensive line, special teams and recruiting and before that was the defensive and special teams quality control coach, also with the Zips. He was a student assistant coach while at Akron, working with the wide receivers, specials teams and recruiting.
A native of Stoutsville, Ohio, Hundley a professional artist since the age of 16, earned his bachelor’s degree from Akron in studio art in 2017.
ALEX LEVEILLE
Associate Director of Video & Technology
Alex Leveille joined the Mountaineer football staff as the assistant video coordinator in June 2019, named the assistant director of coaches video in July 2021 and has served as the associate director of video and technology since May 2023.
Leveille handles the day-to-day video operations for practices and games, maintaining the in-house DVSport network, film breakdown and exchange and the instant replay system, as well as assisting in the production of highlight films.
He also provides specialized videos for each position coach to use and produces teaching videos for clinics.
Leveille trains and supports the coaching staff with its analysis software and manages, creates and produces statistical data for team scouting analysis. He organizes, stores and archives video and videotapes of practice, game, opponent and self-scout for the football program.
He also handles the exchange of opponents’ video, the conference office’s and supervisor of officials’ video and serves as the liaison to the Big 12 Conference on matters related to video exchange.
He came to WVU after serving as a graduate assistant video coordinator at Southern Miss. At Southern Miss, he facilitated the filming of coaches’ video for practices and games. He imported and edited all opponent and position video and produced video for scouting and evaluation and produced highlight, motivational and instruction video content for the football program.
While earning his undergraduate degree at Central Michigan, Leveille served as an intern and as a student assistant, assisting the video coordinator with editing, organizing and preparing game,
Leveille graduated from Central Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in applied arts in 2017, majoring in sport management and minoring in business administration.
JAKE DEATON
Assistant Director of Coaches Video
Jake Deaton joined the Mountaineer football staff as the assistant director of coaches video in August 2023.
Deaton assists the day-to-day video operations for practices and games, maintaining the in-house DVSport network, film breakdown and exchange and the instant replay system and aids in highlight film production.
He also provides specialized videos for each position coach and produces teaching videos for the coaches’ clinics.
Deaton helps train and support the coaching staff with its analysis software and manages, creates and produces statistical data for team scouting analysis. He organizes, stores and archives video and videotapes of practice, game, opponent and self-scout for the football program. He also handles the exchange of opponents’ video, the conference offices and supervisor of officials’ video and serves as the liaison to the Big 12 on matters related to video exchange.
He came to West Virginia after serving as a director of video for the USFL’s New Jersey Generals. While with the Generals, Deaton was responsible for managing assistant video coordinators and freelancers in their day-to-day work operations. He oversaw and managed meeting rooms within the Tom Benson Pro Football Hall of Fame Stadium. He also built and oversaw all tapes, games, projects, default cutups and reports within DVSport. Deaton was responsible for all aspects of video for away games.
Deaton’s previous stops included Akron, where he served as the assistant video coordinator since August 2022. Deaton was responsible for building and overseeing all tapes, games, projects, default cutups and reports within DVSport. He also educated, trained and recruited new student videographers. While pursuing his master’s degree in sport science and coaching, he worked as a graduate assistant for the football team.
While earning his undergraduate degree at West Virginia, Deaton served as a student videographer for the football team. Deaton graduated from WVU in 2022 with his accelerated dual degree in sport management (bachelor’s and master’s degrees).
CAMERON HALL
Assistant Director of Recruiting Communications
Cameron Hall is the assistant director of recruiting communications. He joined the Mountaineer football program in June 2023 as the assistant director of scouting and transitioned to his current position in August 2023. In his role, he assists in developing communication strategies used during the recruiting process, including assisting with formulating digital and video assets, letterwriting and recruiting mailouts. He assists with the planning and organizing of the official and unofficial visits. He also helps compile recruiting profiles and oversees the football recruiting accounts.
Hall came to West Virginia after spending the 2022 season at Clemson as a recruiting operations assistant. While at Clemson, he helped the Tigers obtain the No. 10 recruiting class in the country for the 2023 class and assisted in film evaluation and player personnel review on both sides of the ball.
He worked with the head coach and the director of recruiting in the overall daily operation of the Clemson recruiting department and helped with one of the largest official visit weekends in NCAA history as Clemson hosted 31 prospects on one weekend.
A native of Franklin, Tennessee, Hall earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Tennessee in 2020 with a minor in Africana Studies.
KEN SIGNORETTI
Assistant Director of Recruiting
Ken Signoretti joined the Mountaineer football staff in June 2023 as the assistant director of recruiting. Signoretti assists with the identification, development, strategy and execution of the recruiting plan for the Mountaineer football program.
He evaluates high school and junior college prospects at all positions and maintains the recruiting database. He is responsible for assisting with the recruiting communication plan, ensuring coaches have all relevant information needed to fulfill the duties required in the player acquisition process of a prospective student-athlete. He assists with the weekly recruiting strategy and plan for recruits from the Mountaineer football office.
Signoretti came to West Virginia from Houston where he was a recruiting assistant with the Cougars. He assisted with on-campus events and visits, evaluated high school and junior college prospects, maintained the recruiting and transfer portal database and created Hudl cutup playlists for the coaching staff to review.
Prior to that, he was a player personnel and recruiting intern at WVU from May 2019 until January 2022. He assisted with the recruiting process, facilitating and tracking high school and junior college players in the defensive coaches areas, constructed cutup playlists of recruits for coach evaluations, evaluated high school and junior college prospects, established and maintained recruiting databases and helped cultivate game-day experience and on-campus visits by engaging with recruits and their families, providing tours and executing photoshoots.
A native of West Milford, New Jersey, Signoretti earned an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree from West Virginia in sport management with minors in communication studies and sport communication in 2021.
TYLER HAYWOOD
Recruiting Analyst
Tyler Haywood was elevated to recruiting analyst on the Mountaineer Football staff in May 2024 after serving as a recruiting assistant. He spent the past four years as a student recruiting assistant.
He is part of the recruiting team that manages and oversees the assistant/quality control coaches’ recruiting plan, assists with the initial evaluation process, collects prospects transcripts and is a staff host for on-campus recruiting. He has areas and positions to compile recruiting lists based on initial evaluations and handles the updating of the attack lists and prospect cutups. He assists with the recruiting internship program, offensive and defensive evaluation process, coaches communication, on-campus recruiting, database management and evaluation and contact period logistics.
He also gives support to his assigned assistant coaches with day-to-day recruiting, position/area lists, communication and evaluations, as well as relaying information about recruits.
As a student recruiting assistant, Haywood assisted the defensive coaches with recruiting organization, including the defensive line with area and position recruiting. He maintained the defensive line recruiting board and created recruiting boards for other positions, created point of attack tapes for offensive and defensive recruits and created and updated prospect lists for position coaches. He performed initial evaluations for high school and junior college prospects and created and updated prospect lists.
Haywood, a native of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, graduated from West Virginia with his bachelor’s degree in applied human sciences in May 2023, majoring in athletic coaching education and minoring in sport and exercise science and sport communication.
MORGAN MONTGOMERY Recruiting
Analyst
Morgan Montgomery was elevated to recruiting analyst on the Mountaineer Football staff in May 2024 after serving a year as a recruiting assistant. He spent the past three years as a student recruiting assistant
He is part of the recruiting team that manages and oversees the assistant/quality control coaches’ recruiting plan, assists with the initial evaluation process, collects prospects transcripts and is a staff host for on-campus recruiting. He has areas and positions to compile recruiting lists based on initial evaluations and handles the updating of the attack lists and prospect cut-ups. He assists with the recruiting internship program, offensive and defensive evaluation process, coaches communication, on-campus recruiting, database management and evaluation and contact period logistics.
He also gives support to his assigned assistant coaches with day-to-day recruiting, position/area lists, communication and evaluations, as well as relaying information about recruits.
As a recruiting assistant, Montgomery was part of the day-to-day efforts of the recruiting department, with an emphasis on the defensive secondary and wide receiver positions.
He assisted the recruiting efforts during Mountaineer game days, junior days, unofficial and official visits. He helped with high school prospect evaluation from videos and was responsible for making video cut-ups for each person. He was part of the management of the offensive and defensive boards and made sure they were ordered and current. He would assist with putting in coach notes on each prospect, logged phone calls and compiled text messages and letters for coaches. He also helped coaches plan their schedules during contact periods, coordinated their travel and set up times for the coaches to meet with high school coaches when they were recruiting. Montgomery, a native of Greeneville, Tennessee, graduated from West Virginia with his bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2023.
IAN SCAFFIDI
Recruiting Analyst
Ian Scaffidi was elevated to recruiting analyst on the Mountaineer Football staff in May 2024 after serving a year as a recruiting assistant. He spent the three previous years as a student recruiting assistant.
He is part of the recruiting team that manages and oversees the assistant/quality control coaches’ recruiting plan, assists with the initial evaluation process, collects prospects’ transcripts and is a staff host for on-campus recruiting. He has areas and positions to compile recruiting lists based on initial evaluations and handles the updating of the attack lists and prospect cut-ups. He assists with the recruiting internship program, offensive and defensive evaluation process, coaches communication, on-campus recruiting, database management and evaluation and contact period logistics.
He also gives support to his assigned assistant coaches with day-to-day recruiting, position/area lists, communication and evaluations, as well as relaying information about recruits.
As a recruiting assistant, he evaluated high school, transfer portal and junior college prospects. He was part of the recruiting team that managed and organized the communications plan for the offensive coaches and maintained and organized the offensive recruiting boards. He assisted and hosted prospects on unofficial and official visits and supervised interns during the recruiting process. He supported the assistant head coach/offensive line and the special teams coordinator/linebackers coach with position and area recruiting. He also assisted the recruiting team with maintaining the recruiting database and created point of attack tapes for offensive and defensive prospects.
Scaffidi, a native of Pearland, Texas, graduated cume laude from West Virginia with his bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2023.
RYAN NEHLEN
Senior Offensive Assistant/Pass Game Specialist/ Assistant to the Head Coach
Ryan Nehlen is the senior offensive assistant/pass game specialist and the assistant to the head coach. He re-joined the Mountaineer football coaching staff in February 2024 after serving for two years as the tight ends coach at McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In his role at WVU, Nehlen organizes, implements and maintains all aspects of game analysis for the offensive coaching staff and manages the walk-on program. He charts/tracks statistics during practice and competition, analyzes game film and formulates game plans to assist the offensive coaching staff with game preparation. He organizes the practice schedule, manages the offensive graduate assistants and student coaches and supports the head coach with recruiting communication. He assists the head coach and staff with on-campus recruiting operations and oversees the administration of the offensive plan for the high school coaches clinic.
No stranger to WVU, Nehlen served as an offensive analyst for the football program from 2018 until July 2022. The Mountaineers played in bowl games in three of the four years that he worked on the staff.
Nehlen served as a graduate assistant coach for two years at Michigan. He worked with the offensive staff during the 2016 season and the defensive staff during the 2017 season. The Wolverines won 10 games during the 2016 season.
Prior to arriving in Ann Arbor, he had a short stint as an offensive graduate assistant at Marshall and was the receivers coach for Glenville State during the 2015 season. He worked as a graduate assistant coach at Akron during the 2014 season.
A two-year letterman at wide receiver at WVU, he contributed to successful teams that finished 10-3, won the Big East Championship and the Orange Bowl in 2011 and 7-6 and an appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2012, the first as a member of the Big 12 Conference. He also was honored with All-Academic Team honors from the Big East (2011) and Big 12 (2012). He was the 2013 Louis Meisel Award recipient at WVU, given to the top graduating senior on the football team with the highest GPA and was a 2012 recipient of the Iron Mountaineer Award, given to the best all-around conditioned athlete.
Nehlen earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from WVU in 2012. He and his wife, Micah, have two daughters, Penelope and Stella. He is the son of WVU football equipment manager Dan Nehlen and the grandson of Hall of Fame and former WVU head coach Don Nehlen.
RANDY WILKINS
Senior Defensive Assistant/Pass Rush Specialist/ Game Manager
Randy Wilkins is the senior defensive assistant/pass rush specialist/game manager for the Mountaineer Football coaching staff. He served as a defensive analyst since March 2022, added the special assistant to the head coach responsibilities in the spring of 2023 and has assumed his current role in July 2024.
Wilkins organizes, implements and maintains all aspects of game analysis for the defensive coaching staff. He analyzes game film and formulates game plans to assist the defensive coaching staff with game preparation.
He monitors and collects in-season player homework, position exams and goals/ action plan of game analysis work, serves as the primary contact for data analysis company partners and engages with the Big 12 officials for fall camp, practices and during the season. He also manages the offseason accountability teams, oversees the defensive graduate assistants and student coaches and supports the head coach with recruiting communications. He assists the head coach and coaching staff with oncampus recruiting operations and oversees the administration of the defensive plan for the annual high school coaches clinic.
Before WVU, he served as the defensive line coach at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas, for 12 years. In that time, the Mustangs had four Lone Star Conference championships, five NCAA Division II playoff appearances, an LSC playoff title and a trip to the Kanza Bowl. Prior to his arrival at Midwestern, he served as defensive line coach at Texas A&M-Commerce from 2007-09 after completing two seasons as a graduate assistant at Troy.
At Midwestern State and Texas A&M Commerce, he coached two All-Americans, three conference defensive linemen of the year and more than 25 all-conference performers.
The Jacksonville, Florida, native, played collegiately under legendary Hall of Fame coach Bobby Bowden and defensive legend Mickey Andrews at Florida State, where he worked his way into the defensive line rotation as a walk-on before earning a scholarship prior to his junior season.
He was a member of five bowl teams, four of which played for the national championship. He saw action as a defensive end and as a nose guard while serving as a crucial backup to an eventual All American. Wilkins also played on special teams units as a three-year letterwinner.
Wilkins graduated from FSU with a double major in business management and marketing in 2000. He earned his master’s degree from Troy in sport and fitness management in 2007. He, and his wife, Jessica, have a son, Christian.
TRE’ BELL
Pass Game Specialist/Spears Coach
Tre’ Bell is the pass game specialist/SPEAR coach for the Mountaineer Football coaching staff. He came to WVU in February 2024 as a defensive analyst.
In his role at WVU, Bell organizes, implements and maintains all aspects of game analysis for the defensive coaching staff with an emphasis on the defensive secondary. He analyzes game film and formulates game plans to assist the defensive coaching staff with game preparation. He also charts and tracks statistics during practice and games and assists the head coach and coaching staff with on-campus recruiting operations.
Bell comes to WVU after serving for the past two years as the cornerbacks coach for Akron. While with the Zips, he coached three All Mid-American Conference performers Tyson Durant, Darrian Lewis and KJ Martin. The trio combined for three interceptions and 16 pass breakups during the 2023 season and five interceptions and 13 pass breakups in 2022.
Bell spent the 2021 season as a defensive graduate assistant at Florida State. Prior to that, he spent two years as a graduate assistant coach at Mississippi State.. He served as a quality control coach working with defensive backs at Eastern Kentucky in 2018.
He played collegiately at Vanderbilt. After redshirting in 2013, he played three years for the Commodores, appearing in 20 games during the 2014 and 2015 seasons and recording 33 tackles. Bell sat out the 2016 season after transferring to UConn and appeared in all 12 games, including eight starts as a senior in 2017. He finished with 49 tackles, one interception, two pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
A native of Union, New Jersey, Bell earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Connecticut in 2018 and his master’s degree in education from Mississippi State in 2020.
JENS DANIELSEN Run Game Specialist/Centers Coach
Jens Danielsen is the run game specialist and centers coach for Mountaineer football after returning to WVU in February 2023 as an offensive analyst.
In his role at WVU, Danielsen organizes, implements and maintains all aspects of game analysis for the offensive coaching staff with an emphasis on the offensive line. He analyzes game film and formulates game plans to assist the offensive coaching staff with game preparation.
Danielsen came to WVU after serving as an offensive quality control coach at Mississippi State. The year prior to that, Danielsen served as an offensive graduate assistant coach at WVU (January 2021 – February 2022). He assisted with in-game communication of the opponents’ fronts, stunts and blitz formations. He monitored offensive line play and reps during practice and games and served as the assistant offensive line coach in teaching schemes and techniques, recruiting and daily administrative duties.
Prior to WVU, Danielsen was an offensive graduate assistant coach at Baylor, working with the offensive line. He worked with an All-Big 12 Conference Guard and an All-Big 12 Conference First Team center.
He served as the co-offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and strength and conditioning coordinator at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas (March 2017 – May 2019).
Navarro ranked No. 4 and No. 5 nationally in total offense and No. 4 and No. 8 in yards per game. He coached two NJCAA All-Americans with a third one being named NJCAA Grid Iron All-America.
Prior to that, he was the varsity offensive line coach and freshman team offensive coordinator at Valley Center High School in Valley, Center, Kansas from March 2016 –Feb. 2017.
Danielsen earned his bachelor’s degree in clinical kinesiology from Louisiana Tech in 2015 and his master’s degree in sport management from West Virginia in 2021.
He was a three-year starter at offensive tackle for the Bulldogs and earned AllConference USA Second Team and All-Louisiana Second Team honors. He was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year at Louisiana Tech in 2015 and was a two-time Victor Club (season grade out award) and three-time All-Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll member. He also was a starter in his first year at Coffeyville Community College in 2011.
He and his wife, Hannah, have a son, Ram.
TONY THOMPSON
Associate Special Teams Coordinator/Specialist Coach
Tony Thompson has been on the Mountaineer coaching staff since June 2021 and currently serves as the associate special teams coordinator and specialists coach.
He organizes, implements and maintains all aspects of game analysis, including direct oversight of the game planning for special teams, analyzes game film and formulates game plans to assist with game preparation.
He came to WVU after serving as an assistant coach at Stony Brook from 2009-21, coaching the outside linebackers (2007-08, 2011-12, 2020), defensive line (2009-10) and the special teams coordinator (2013-20). He also was the academic liaison for the football program from 2009-20.
The Seawolves won the Big South Conference from 2009-12 and completed in the NCAA FCS playoffs in 2011, ‘12, ‘17 and ‘18. SBU was in the top nationally for blocked punts (2016, 17, 19, 21), kickoff coverage (2012, 15, 17), kick return average (2015), punt coverage (2012, 18), punt return defense (2018) and punt return touchdowns (2016, 17, 18). The Seawolves also led the Big South in total defense (2012), scoring defense (2009, 12), rushing defense (2009, 2011) and pass defense efficiency (2012). He recruited three NFL players, coached all-conference kicker (2011, 12), punter (2013), specialists (2018, ‘21) and special teams player of the year (2021), All-American long snapper (2019) and the conference leader in field goal percentage (2019).
Prior to that, Thompson served as the linebackers coach and assisted the special teams coach at Hofstra (2006), served as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at Franklin and Marshall (2003-05) and was the outside linebackers coach and assistant special teams coordinator at Pennsylvania (2001-02). He started his coaching career at Stony Brook, coaching the linebackers (1997-99) as a graduate/ student assistant coach and the defensive line (2000).
As a linebacker and long snapper during his collegiate career, Thompson played for Stony Brook after transferring from Western Connecticut. He began coaching as a Stony Brook graduate assistant for outside linebackers in 1997, where he would stay as a full-time staff member until 2000 when he moved to defensive line coach.
Thompson graduated from Stony Brook with his bachelor’s degree in history in 1997 and earned his master’s degree in arts and liberal studies with an advanced coaching certificate in 2000.
Thompson, and his wife, Erin, have two children, daughter, Laney, and son, Cade.
TOLBERT NANCE
Associate Director of Scouting
Tolbert Nance joined the Mountaineer football program as an assistant director of scouting in June 2023 and was promoted to associate director of scouting in July 2024.
Nance assists in the evaluation of the WVU roster as well as Big 12 opponent rosters to identify strengths and weaknesses for each game. He is involved in the creation of weekly advance scouting reports on each opponent and assists in the game plan creation.
His job also entails complex scouting of the transfer portal to identify potential roster additions, helping to maintain WVU’s scouting services and database, while working with the student assistant scouting interns.
Nance came to West Virginia from South Carolina where he spent the 2021 and 2022 football seasons as a recruiting assistant. With the Gamecocks, he worked in advance scouting, all areas of recruiting and served as a special assistant to the defensive coordinator.
He also spent time as an intern for the Kansas City Chiefs, scouted for the Scout 33rd Team website, and worked as an intern for the Mid-American Conference.
Nance graduated from South Carolina in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in sport and entertainment management along with a minor in business administration. As an undergraduate at South Carolina, Nance spent time as a student intern defensive coach.
DAVIS VELILLA
Assistant Director of Scouting
Davis Velilla joined the Mountaineer football program as an assistant director of scouting in August 2023.
Velilla assists in the evaluation of the WVU roster as well as opponent rosters to identify strengths and weaknesses for each game. He is involved in the creation of weekly advance scouting reports on each opponent and assists in the game plan creation.
His job also entails complex scouting of the transfer portal to identify potential roster additions, helping to maintain WVU’s scouting services and database, while working with the student assistant scouting interns.
Velilla came to West Virginia from the East-West Shrine Bowl where he spent the 2022 football season as an AAC Conference Scout Intern. He analyzed video, discovering and evaluating talent, strengths and weaknesses. Velilla traveled throughout the AAC, ACC and SEC observing and assessing players on-field, while cultivating successful rapport with various university’s recruiting and coaching staffs.
He also spent time as a student manager for SMU football and equipment, scouted for the National Scouting Report and worked as a training camp staff intern for the Kansas City Chiefs.
While at SMU, he earned his master’s degree in sport management in 2022.
Velilla graduated from Clemson in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation and tourism management with a concentration in community recreation sport and camp management. As an undergraduate at Clemson, Velilla spent time as a co-ed cheerleader.
AARON McLAURIN Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning
Aaron McLaurin is the associate director of strength and conditioning for the Mountaineer Football program. He came to WVU in February 2024 as assistant strength and conditioning coach and was promoted to in July.
McLaurin came to WVU after serving as the head sports performance coach at Apex Athletic Performance in Columbia, South Carolina. He coached and developed athletes on strength, performance, speed and agility. McLaurin was involved with the combine prep program at Apex, helping NFL prospects improve on combine events.
Prior to that, he was the head performance coach of the XFL’s Arlington Renegades and Houston Roughnecks for the 2023 season.
McLaurin was an assistant strength and conditioning coach with the New York Jets for eight seasons and with the Minnesota Vikings for two, and also spent time as a seasonal strength and conditioning coach at South Carolina, an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Colgate, the strength and conditioning graduate assistant/intern at Michigan State, health and physical education teacher and assistant football coach at Heritage High School in Newport News, Virginia.
McLaurin is a certified strength and conditioning specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, a strength and conditioning coach certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Association and a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach.
A native of Buffalo, New York, McLaurin earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Hampton and his master’s degree in kinesiology from Michigan State. McLaurin, and his wife, Justine, have a son, Alexander.
NICK MEADOWS
Director of Sport Science/Associate Director of Strength and Conditioning
Nick Meadows joined the Mountaineer Football Strength and Conditioning Staff in spring 2021 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and was promoted in July 2024 to director of sport science/associate director of strength and conditioning.
He helps oversee the integration of science and cuttingedge technology that is utilized to advance the studentathletes’ performance. Between measuring heart rate, movement, effort and sleep patterns, he then charts the data that is used by the department so they can develop training plans for the individual athletes.
Previously, Meadows served as a graduate assistant and intern on the strength and conditioning staff, working directly with football. He assisted with the implementation of individual workout plans for the student-athletes and helped oversee team activities and functions as a member of the staff. He completed the requirements for Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) in 2018 and earned certification from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches’ Association in 2023.
Meadows was a member of the Mountaineer Football program from 2013-17 and was the starting long snapper, handling all the field goal, punting and extra point snapping duties during the 2016-17 seasons. He was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 team member, including first team selection as a senior and was a member of the Big 12 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll.
The 2017 Tommy Nickolich Award winner, signifying the program’s top walk-on, Meadows graduated from West Virginia with his bachelor’s degree in sport and exercise psychology in 2017 and his master’s degree in sport and coaching education with an emphasis in performance coaching in 2018.
VINCENT IPPOLITI
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
Vincent Ippoliti is an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Mountaineer Football coaching staff, being promoted to his current position in June 2024.
He assists the strength and conditioning staff with the design and implementation of the strength and conditioning plans for the football student-athletes to help improve the strength, performance, conditioning and injury prevention.
A former standout catcher and outfielder for WVU baseball from 2020-22, Ippoliti started his strength and conditioning career as an intern with the Mountaineer strength and conditioning staff as a graduate assistant coach with WVU’s Olympic Sports unit. He then worked as a part-time assistant strength and conditioning coach at Notre Dame and as an intern with the WVU strength and conditioning staff before being assuming his current position.
Ippoliti completed the requirements for Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) in May 2023.
A native of Houston, Texas, Ippoliti graduated from West Virginia with his bachelor’s degree in athletic coaching with a minor in strength and conditioning in 2021 and earned his master’s degree in sport management in 2022.
RAYQUAN HORTON
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
RaQuan Horton joined the Mountaineer Football coaching staff in June as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. He assists the strength and conditioning staff with the design and implementation of the strength and conditioning plans for the football student-athletes to help improve their strength, performance, conditioning and injury prevention.
He came to WVU after serving as a strength and conditioning coach with the Miami Dolphins in 2004, at Kentucky in 202324 and as a strength and conditioning intern at Georgia during the 2022-23 year.
While working at Kentucky and Georgia, he assisted with tracking the players’ velocity numbers, coaching daily runs, lifts and mobility programs, conducted workouts and created programs for injured players during practice and created sprint mechanic programs for players who were in return to play protocol.
He completed the requirements for Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) in 2023.
Prior to that, he was a coaching staff assistant with the football program at Eastern Kentucky and ran his own lineman development clinic for two years.
Horton, a native of Red Jacket, West Virginia, graduated with his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology pre-physical therapy from Eastern Kentucky in May 2022 and was the recipient of the SMART Scholarship and the Diversity Scholarship Awards. He was a defensive tackle on the Colonel football team for three years.
HALEY BISHOP
Director of Sports Nutrition
Haley Bishop joined the Mountaineer Football staff as the director of sports nutrition in January 2021.
At West Virginia, Bishop develops and oversees the nutritional needs for the football student-athletes. She counsels individuals and groups on daily nutrition for performance and health. She researches the most recent scientific evidence and turns it into practical sports nutrition recommendations and tracks and documents the outcomes of nutrition services. She serves as a food and nutrition resource for the program, providing education and maintaining professional competency and skills required for practice.
Bishop develops and counsels in hydration protocols, addresses nutritional challenges to performance, evaluates nutritional supplements, develops all menus and oversees fueling and refueling stations.
Bishop came to West Virginia after spending more than two years as the director of sports nutrition at Virginia Commonwealth. Prior to that she served as a sports nutrition fellow working with men’s basketball and swimming and diving at Arkansas while assisting with football (2018), an intern for St. Vincent’s Performance Center’s NFL Pre Combine Training Program in 2016, student intern at UAB (2015-16) and a sports nutrition football graduate assistant at Samford (2016-17).
She is a registered dietitian and is a board certified specialist in sports dietetics by the commission on dietetic registration. She is ServSafe Food protection manager certified by the National Restaurant Association and is certified in CPR, AED, first aid and blood pathogen certified by the American Heart Association. She holds professional affiliations with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association and the Women Leaders in Collegiate Sports.
A native of Taylorsville, Georgia, Bishop graduated from Samford with a bachelor of science degree in nutrition and dietetics in 2016 and her master’s degree in nutrition science/dietetic internship in 2017. In 2016, Bishop was selected for the outstanding research award with her abstract being published in the International Society of Sports Nutrition and was the recipient of the outstanding campus and community service award at Samford.
BAILEY KASSNER
Sports Dietitian
Bailey Kassner joined the Mountaineer Football staff in April 2023 as a dietitian for the football program.
Kassner assists the director of sports nutrition with assembling the individual nutrition plans for each player, monitoring their nutritional intake and educating them on proper nutrition methods. She also assists the director in developing all menus and overseeing the fueling and refueling stations.
Kassner came to WVU after serving as a sports nutrition seasonal intern with the Chicago Bears from July 2022 – Jan. 2023. She assisted in the delivery and planning of all clinical, performance and nutrition services provided to the players and was a daily liaison with the coaching staff, sports medicine, players and administration on nutrition.
Kassner served a dietetic internship for the University of Houston from January 2022 – July 2022, completing required hours in Nashville, at Vanderbilt and with the Nashville Predators, Hendrix Training Table, Tennova Hospital and HBC Nutrition. She also served as a student nutrition volunteer at Vanderbilt from Feb. 2021 – Dec. 2021.
Kassner graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health science from Lee University and earned bachelor’s degrees in dietetics and human nutrition from Kansas State.
DAN NEHLEN Director of Football Equipment Operations
Dan Nehlen has been a member of the West Virginia Football staff since 1981, first as a student manager, then assistant equipment manager in 1986 and head equipment manager in 1988. He transitioned to the director of football equipment operations role in 2023.
The son of Hall of Fame and former Mountaineer coach Don Nehlen, he is responsible for maintaining and procuring all equipment and uniforms for the football program as well as overseeing the football student managers.
Nehlen also coordinates the extensive movement of equipment when West Virginia hits the road.
A native of Canton, Ohio, Nehlen received a bachelor’s degree in physical education and safety in 1985 from West Virginia. He and his wife, Janie, have two children, Ryan and Danielle and three grandchildren. Ryan is an offensive analyst and special assistant to the head coach on the WVU Football staff.
AUSTIN BLAKE
Assistant Director of Football Equipment Operations
Austin Blake has been a member of the Mountaineer football staff since 2018, first as a student manager until 2021, then a graduate assistant. He was promoted to assistant equipment manager in February 2022 and transitioned into the assistant director of football equipment operations in 2023. Blake coordinates the maintenance and repair of athletic equipment, uniforms and facilities. He also prepares all the equipment for game day, including all areas of players’ gear and coaches’ game day apparel. He also assists in the purchasing, issuance, storage and accountability of all Nike athletic equipment, footwear and apparel and also assists in the coordination of the Coachcomm system, setting up for practices and game day.
Blake graduated from West Virginia with his bachelor’s degree in sport management in 2021, earning President’s List distinction and earned his master’s degree in sport management in May 2022.
DR. A.J. MONSEAU
Medical Director/Head Team Physician
A.J. Monseau, M.D., WVU Medicine Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine physician, has been the head team physician and medical director for WVU Athletics since 2017. In 2016, Dr. Monseau served as the team physician for WVU Men’s Basketball. He also served as team physician for USA Wrestling at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Monseau leads the University’s staff of team physicians and works in conjunction with the athletic training staff to provide healthcare to all student-athletes. This includes injury prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, education, and counseling.
Originally from the Northern Panhandle, Monseau received his medical degree from and completed his residency training at the WVU School of Medicine. He then completed fellowship training in primary care sports medicine at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. He returned to his alma mater upon completion of his fellowship in 2011.
Currently, Monseau is a professor in the WVU Department of Emergency Medicine. In addition to working as an attending physician in the J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital Emergency Department, he also sees sports medicine patients through WVU Medicine Orthopaedics. He is board certified in emergency medicine and primary care sports medicine.
Athletics have always been a part of Monseau’s life. After completing a three-sport career at Wheeling Park High School, Monseau carried his love of sports through his undergraduate education, during which he competed on the West Liberty University (then West Liberty State College) wrestling team for his father, who is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach. Though he gave up competing when he began medical school, he made sure to choose a specialty that would allow him to remain connected to competitive sports.
VINCE BLANKENSHIP
Assistant Athletics Director/ Head Athletic Trainer for Football
Vince Blankenship, a member of the West Virginia athletic training staff since 2014, has served as the assistant athletics director/head athletic trainer for football since 2019.
Prior to that, he was an assistant athletic trainer and physical therapist, working primarily with the Mountaineer football and golf programs. He was named athletics rehabilitation specialist in the fall of 2016.
Blankenship provides oversight of the athletics medical unit for the football team, including the day-to-day operation of the training room. He supervises the daily care, rehabilitation and prevention of athletic injuries for the football program, as well as supervises the long-term rehabilitation with all other WVU sports on campus.
Prior to WVU, Blankenship worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions and the University of Georgia football programs. While working towards his doctorate in physical therapy at the Medical College of Georgia, which he earned in 2013, Blankenship worked as a part-time athletic trainer for University Hospital and Augusta University, covering high school and collegiate sports.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science with an athletic training emphasis from Georgia in 2009. He is also a Titleist Performance Institute Level II Medical Professional. He and his wife, Idania, have two sons, Noah and Eli.
ZACH FOSTER
Associate Director of Sports Medicine
Zach Foster joined the athletics staff at West Virginia as an assistant athletics trainer in 2019 and was promoted to the associate director of sports medicine in 2020.
Foster assists with the day-to-day care, rehabilitation and prevention of athletic injuries for the football and golf programs. He also has duties as an instructor in the WVU athletics training education program.
Foster spent the 2019 season as a seasonal athletic trainer with the NFl’s New England Patriots. He performed orthopedic and general medical evaluations, provided medical coverage for practices, games and free-agent workouts, assisted with concussion testing, collaborated with team physical therapists on rehabilitation programming and on-field progressions, managed injury tracking, patient documentation and athlete participation with NFL Electronic Medical Records, assisted with hiring summer and seasonal athletic training interns, administered and analyzed Functional Movement Screening to develop corrective exercise programs, managed rehabilitation supply inventory among other duties. Additionally, he accompanied the team to Super Bowl LIII.
Prior to his stint in New England, Foster spent a year as part of the post-professional residency program at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado, working with orthopedic surgeons in a clinical and surgical practice with specialties that include Sports Medicine, Foot and Ankle, Spine, Wrist and Hand, Total Joint Replacement and Pain Management and assisted with on-site athletic training services for the U.S. Ski Team, Vail Mountain School Athletics, Vail Recreation District and Maverick Sports Promotions.
A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Foster served as an athletic training intern for the Florida State football program (2016-17) and was a graduate assistant with the Pitt football program (2014-16).
He earned his bachelor of science degree in athletics training from Alabama in 2014 and his master of science degree in health and rehabilitation sciences with a concentration in sports medicine from Pitt in ‘16. He also is an MBA student in the John Chambers College of Business and Economnics and will be a WVU graduate in December 2024. He and his wife, Dr. Lauren Mayle, have one son, Silas.
KELLY KESSLER
Senior Assistant Director of Sports Medicine
Kelly Kessler joined West Virginia University’s athletics training staff in the fall of 2020 as the assistant director of sports medicine and currently serves as the senior assistant director of sports medicine with the Mountaineer Football program.
She previously served as the athletics trainer for WVU’s wrestling and swimming and diving programs. Kessler’s responsibilities include day-to-day care, rehabilitation and injury prevention for the WVU Football program.
She arrived at WVU after serving as an assistant athletics trainer at the Florida Institute of Technology, providing daily medical coverage for baseball, volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country. Before her departure, Kessler worked as the interim head athletics trainer for two months, serving as the sole athletics trainer on staff, responsible for all 17 sports. She also implemented the resocialization student-athlete plan during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to her work at Florida Tech, Kessler also spent time on the athletics training staff at California State University, Fresno, where she worked as a certified athletic trainer intern for the football and women’s swimming and diving teams.
Kessler received her master’s degree in physical education from the University of West Florida in 2017, while working as a graduate assistant certified athletic trainer with football, volleyball and men’s and women’s tennis. She also had the opportunity to serve as the host athletic trainer for the 2017 NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball National Championship and attended the 2017 and 2018 Division II Men’s and Women’s Tennis National Championship as a visiting athletic trainer.
A Pensacola, Florida, native, Kessler also earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from West Florida in 2015, during which time she worked as an athletic training student with the baseball and tennis teams.
ALLIE CHARLESON Athletic Trainer
Allie Charleson joined West Virginia University’s athletics training staff in June 2024 as an athletic trainer with the Mountaineer football program.
Charleson came to West Virginia after serving as a season intern with the Atlanta Falcons since May 2023. She also served as a summer intern in 2021 and 2022.
Prior to that, Charleson worked as a graduate assistant with the softball team at East Tennessee State. .
She worked with the football team as an undergraduate at Georgia, as well as women’s basketball, softball, and volleyball. She also worked as a student athletic trainer at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia and traveled with the softball team to Super Regionals and the Women’s College World Series.
Charleson graduated with bachelor’s degrees in athletic training and exercise and sport science from Georgia in 2021 and earned her master’s degree in sport management from East Tennessee State in 2023
She holds certifications in CPR and First Aid by the American Heart Association, is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ and the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Associations and is a licensed athletic trainer in Georgia, Tennessee and West Virginia.
A native of East Providence, Rhode Island, Charleson currently resides in Morgantown with her husband, Chris, and their dog, Aretemis.
DR. SOFÍA ESPAÑA PÉREZ
Behavioral Health Therapist
Dr. Sofía España Pérez has been a member of the Mountaineer Athletics Department since Aug. 2021 as a behavioral health therapist.
The clinical and sport psychology unit at WVU provides counseling and performance enhancement services for studentathletes., along with clinical services, including short-term individual counseling, group counseling crisis intervention services, psychoeducation workshops, risk assessment and reduction intervention. The unit also serves as an instructional and educational role for the student-athletes to promote the areas of student-athlete health, resilience and wellness.
Her work with the football team, apart from doing one-on-one sessions (clinical and/or sport psychology), provides team/position group sport psychology sessions every summer, visualization sessions during the season, and mental health screenings throughout the year.
A native of Mexico City, Mexico, España Pérez completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at East Tennessee State where she was a Division I Tennis player. She received a master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology from Minnesota State University in 2017 where she was the head coach for the Division II Women’s Tennis team. Sofia came to WVU in 2017 to study for a master’s degree in community mental health counseling and a doctorate in sport, exercise and performance psychology. She graduated in 2021 and started working in Athletics a few months after.
She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in West Virginia, a nationally certified counselor (2021) and a certified mental performance consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Zach Seger is the assistant athletics director for studentathlete academic services at WVU.
Seger has direct oversight of the day-to-day operations of the student-athlete academic services unit and will continue to oversee academic services with football. He, and his staff, provide academic support and guidance to all student-athletes, helping them succeed in the classroom, maintain eligibility and ultimately aid them in their pursuit of earning their degree. They also maintain accurate records and knowledge of studentathlete academic schedules to notify coaches regarding classes, tests, grades, and study sessions. He also maintains constant communications with professors, advisors, and other on-campus units to ensure the success of the student-athletes.
He has been of a member of West Virginia’s Student-Athlete Academic Services staff, working with the Mountaineer football program since 2016. He started as an assistant academic coordinator for football before becoming an academic counselor in 2017. In 2019, Seger was promoted to assistant director for student-athlete academic service, associate director of student-athlete academic services in 2022 and his current position in February 2024.
The Windber, Pennsylvania, native graduated cum laude from West Virginia University in 2014 with a degree in sport management. He earned his master’s degree in Higher Education Management from Pitt in 2016.
DONOVAN PARKER
Senior Academic Counselor
As a member of the WVU Student-Athlete Academic Services Staff, Donovan Parker was promoted to his current role in July 2024 as senior academic counselor for the Mountaineer Football program. He provides academic guidance and support for the offensive student-athletes.
He joined the student-athlete academic services staff in June 2023 as an academic counselor.
He came to West Virginia from South Florida, where he served as an assistant athletic academic coordinator.
Prior to joining the staff at USF, he worked in the StudentAthlete Academic Services Department at Florida State, first as a tutorial assistant before being named a strategic academic mentor.
During his time at Florida State, Parker also served as a mental performance coordinator in the FSU Sport Psychology Practicum.
Parker earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Furman in May 2020 and his master’s degree in educational psychology with a concentration in sport psychology from Florida State in May 2022.
HUNTER GORRELL
Senior Academic Counselor
As a member of the WVU Student-Athlete Academic Services Staff, Hunter Gorrell serves as a senior academic counselor for the Mountaineer Football program. She will provide academic guidance and support for the defensive student-athletes.
She joined the Mountaineer student-athlete development staff in 2022, first as a graduate assistant, was named assistant learning specialist in 2023 and promoted to her current role in July 2024.
Prior to her current position, she monitored and documented the academic progress of the student-athletes, assisted the students with course schedules and selected academic majors and assisted student-athletes with learning disabilities to acquire and use accommodations.
As a graduate assistant with the football program, she advising a cohort of 10 student-athletes. She also served as an academic counselor and tutor at the Mindfit Academic Enhancement Center in Morgantown and served as a marketing intern/ student assistant with the WVU Athletics Department.
Gorrell earned her bachelor’s degree in sport management from WVU and a master’s degree in higher education administration, also from WVU. She has held a Level 2, CRLA Tutor Classification since December 2020.
KRISTIE MILLS
Learning Specialist
Kristie Mills has been a member of the Student-Athlete Academic Services staff at West Virginia since September of 2022 as a learning specialist.
In this role, Mills works with student-athletes who have a documented learning disability, providing one-onone learning support to help ensure their success in the classroom. She also helps the student-athletes improve their reading comprehension and develop writing skills. Working primarily with student-athletes who have a documented learning disability, she provides one-on-one learning support to help ensure their success in the classroom.
Mills came to WVU after serving at West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, working with blind/low vision and deaf/hard of hearing students. She taught social studies to students in grades 6-12 and incorporated accommodations for each individual student’s exceptionality. She was the faculty senate president, a PLC leader, an LSIC member, testing coordinator, PBIS coordinator, student council sponsor and the National Honor Society sponsor from 2011-22. She also coached cheerleading and goalball.
She also served as a lead teacher from 2014-22, working as part of the administrative team, along with the dean of students and principal. She was a teacher/staff mentor, completed scheduling for teacher duties, coordinated student assistance teams, organized the family engagement committee and chaired the teacher leadership team. She served as the special education designee at WVSDB from 2014-20.
Prior to that, she was an alternative education teacher at Romney Middle School in Romney, West Virginia, for a year and worked as a substitute and homebound teacher in Garrett County, Maryland.
Mills graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State and a master’s degree in education leadership from Wheeling University. She earned her associate of arts degree in education from Garrett College and her certification to teach the visually impaired from Marshall. LORI RICE
JARROD BUCKLEY
MILAN PUSKAR STADIUM •
Head Coach: James Franklin (East Stroudsburg, ‘95) Record at PSU: 88-39 (10 years)
Overall Record: 112-54 (13 years)
Franklin’s Record vs. WVU: 1-0
Football Phone: (814) 865-0412
TEAM/PLAYER INFORMATION 2023 Record: 10t-3/Peach Bowl
Conference Record/Finish: 7-2/3rd East Lettermen Returning/Lost: 39/18
Starters Returning/Lost: 16/14
ALBANY
SEPTEMBER 7
KANSAS SEPTEMBER 21
Head Coach: Greg Gattuso (Penn State, ‘83)
Record at UA: 50-61 (10 years)
Overall Record: 147-93 (22 years)
Gattuso’s Record vs. WVU: First Meeting
Football Phone: (518) 442-3052
TEAM/PLAYER INFORMATION
2023 Record: 11-4
Conference Record/Finish: 7-1/T1st
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 26/28
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/15
Head Coach: Pat Narduzzi (Rhode Island, ‘90) Record at Pitt: 65-50 (9 years)
Overall Record: 65-50 (9 years) Narduzzi’s Record vs. WVU: 1-1
WVU Team Hotel: Cincinnati Marriott at River Center
SCORES VS. 2024 OPPONENTS
PENN STATE (9-49-2)
2023, away, Penn State, 38-15
1992, home, Penn State, 40-26
1991, away, Penn State, 51-6 1990, home, Penn State, 31-19 1989, away, Penn State, 19-9 1988, home, West Virginia, 51-30
1987, away, Penn State, 25-21 1986, home, Penn State, 19-0 1985, away, Penn State, 27-0 1984, home, West Virginia, 17-14 1983, away, Penn State, 41-23 1982, home, Penn State, 24-0 1981, away, Penn State, 30-7 1980, home, Penn State, 20-15 1979, away, Penn State, 31-6 1978, home, Penn State, 49-21 1977, away, Penn State, 49-28 1976, home, Penn State, 33-0 1975, away, Penn State, 39-0 1974, home, Penn State, 21-12 1973, away, Penn State, 62-14 1972, home, Penn State, 28-19 1971, away, Penn State, 35-7 1970, home, Penn State, 42-8 1969, away, Penn State, 20-0 1968, home, Penn State, 31-20 1967, away, Penn State, 21-14 1966, home, Penn State, 38-6 1965, away, Penn State, 44-6 1964, home, Penn State, 37-8 1963, away, Penn State, 20-9 1962, home, Penn State, 34-6 1961, away, Penn State, 20-6 1960, home, Penn State, 34-13 1959, away, Penn State, 28-10 1958, home, tie, 14-14 1957, away, Penn State, 27-6 1956, away, Penn State, 16-6 1955, home, West Virginia, 21-7 1954, away, West Virginia, 19-14 1953, away, West Virginia, 20-19 1952, home, Penn State, 35-21 1951, away, Penn State, 13-7 1950, away, Penn State, 27-0
1949, home, Penn State, 34-14
1948, away, Penn State, 37-7
1947, away, Penn State, 21-14 1944, away, West Virginia, 28-27 1943, away, Penn State, 32-7 1942, home, West Virginia, 24-0 1941, away, Penn State, 7-0 1940, away, Penn State, 17-13 1931, home, West Virginia, 19-0 1925, home, West Virginia, 14-0 1923, neutral, tie, 13-13 1909, away, Penn State, 40-0 1908, away, Penn State, 12-0 1906, away, Penn State, 11-0 1905, away, Penn State, 6-0 1904, away, Penn State, 34-0
ALBANY (First Meeting)
PITT (41-62-3)
2023, home, West Virginia, 17-6 2022, away, Pitt, 38-31
2011, home, West Virginia, 21-20 2010, away, West Virginia, 35-10 2009, home, West Virginia, 19-16 2008, away, Pitt, 19-15 2007, home, Pitt, 13-9 2006, away, West Virginia, 45-27 2005, home, West Virginia, 45-13 2004, away, Pitt, 16-13 2003, home, West Virginia, 52-31 2002, away, West Virginia, 24-17 2001, home, Pitt, 23-17 2000, away, Pitt, 38-28
1999, home, West Virginia, 52-21
1998, away, West Virginia, 52-14
1997, home, Pitt, 41-38/3OT 1996, away, West Virginia, 34-0 1995, home, West Virginia, 21-0 1994, away, West Virginia, 47-41 1993, home, West Virginia, 42-21 1992, away, West Virginia, 44-6 1991, home, Pitt, 34-3
1990, away, West Virginia, 38-24
1989, home, tie, 31-31
1988, away, West Virginia, 31-10
1987, home, Pitt, 6-3
1986, away, Pitt, 48-16
1985, home, tie, 10-10
1984, away, West Virginia, 28-10
1983, home, West Virginia, 24-21 1982, away, Pitt, 16-13
1981, home, Pitt, 17-0
1980, away, Pitt, 42-14
1979, home, Pitt, 24-17
1978, away, Pitt, 52-7
1977, home, Pitt, 44-3
1976, away, Pitt, 24-16
1975, home, West Virginia, 17-14
1974, away, Pitt, 31-14
1973, home, Pitt, 35-7
1972, away, West Virginia, 38-20
1971, home, West Virginia, 20-9 1970, away, Pitt, 36-35
1969, home, West Virginia, 49-18
1968, away, West Virginia, 38-15
1967, home, West Virginia, 15-0 1966, away, Pitt, 17-14
1965, home, West Virginia, 63-48 1964, away, Pitt, 14-0
1963, home, Pitt, 13-10
1962, away, West Virginia, 15-8
1961, away, West Virginia, 20-6
1960, away, Pitt, 42-0
1959, home, West Virginia, 23-15
1958, away, Pitt, 15-8
1957, away, West Virginia, 7-6
1956, home, Pitt, 14-13
1955, away, Pitt, 26-7
1954, home, Pitt, 13-10
1953, away, West Virginia, 17-7
1952, away, West Virginia, 16-0
1951, away, Pitt, 32-12
1950, away, Pitt, 21-7
1949, home, Pitt, 20-7
1948, away, Pitt, 16-6
1947, away, West Virginia, 17-2
1946, away, Pitt, 33-7
1945, away, Pitt, 20-0
1944, away, Pitt, 26-13
1943, away, Pitt, 20-0
1939, away, Pitt, 20-0
1938, home, Pitt, 19-0
1937, home, Pitt, 20-0
1936, away, Pitt, 34-0
1935, away, Pitt, 24-6
1934, home, Pitt, 27-6
1933, home, Pitt, 21-0
1932, home, Pitt, 40-0
1931, away, Pitt, 34-0
1930, home, Pitt, 16-0
1929, away, Pitt, 27-7
1928, away, West Virginia, 9-6
1927, away, Pitt, 40-0
1926, away, Pitt, 17-7
1925, away, Pitt, 15-7
1924, away, Pitt, 14-7
1923, away, West Virginia, 13-7
1922, away, West Virginia, 9-6
1921, away, Pitt, 21-13
1920, away, Pitt, 34-13
1919, away, Pitt, 26-0
1917, home, Pitt, 14-9
1913, away, Pitt, 40-0
1910, away, Pitt, 38-0
1909, home, tie, 0-0
1908, away, Pitt, 11-0
1907, away, W.U.P., 10-0
1906, away, W.U.P., 17-0
1904, away, W.U.P., 53-0
1903, home, West Virginia, 24-6
1902, away, West Virginia, 23-6 1901, home, W.U.P., 12-0 1900, home, West Virginia, 6-5
1898, at Fairmont, West Virginia, 6-0 1895, at Wheeling, West Virginia, 8-0
KANSAS (9-2)
2022, home, Kansas, 55-42/OT 2021, away, West Virginia, 34-28
2020, home, West Virginia, 38-17
2019, away, West Virginia, 29-24
2018, home, West Virginia, 38-22
2017, away, West Virginia, 56-34
2016, home, West Virginia, 48-21
2015, away, West Virginia, 49-0
2014, home, West Virginia, 33-14
2013, away, Kansas, 31-19
2012, home, West Virginia, 59-10
1941, home, West Virginia, 21-0
OKLAHOMA STATE (5-9)
2022, away, West Virginia, 24-19
2021, home, Oklahoma State, 24-3
2020, away, Oklahoma State, 27-13
2019, home, Oklahoma State, 20-13
2018, away, Oklahoma State, 45-41
2017, home, Oklahoma State, 50-39
2016, away, Oklahoma State, 37-20
2015, home, Oklahoma State, 33-26, OT
2014, away, West Virginia, 34-10
2013, home, West Virginia, 30-21
2012, away, Oklahoma State, 55-34
1987, Sun Bowl, Oklahoma State, 35-33
1929, away, West Virginia, 9-6
1928, home, West Virginia, 32-6
IOWA STATE (6-5)
2022, away, Iowa State, 31-14
2021, home, West Virginia, 38-31
2020, away, Iowa State, 42-6
2019, home, Iowa State, 38-14
2018, away, Iowa State, 30-14
2017, home, West Virginia, 20-16
2016, away, West Virginia, 49-19
2015, home, West Virginia, 30-6
2014, away, West Virginia, 37-24
2013, home, Iowa State, 52-44/3OT
2012, away, West Virginia, 31-24
KANSAS STATE (6-7)
2022, home, Kansas State, 48-31
2021, away, Kansas State, 34-17
2020, home, West Virginia, 37-10
2019, away, West Virginia, 24-20
2018, home, West Virginia, 35-6
2017, away, West Virginia, 28-23
2016, home, West Virginia, 17-16
2015, away, Kansas State, 24-23
2014, home, Kansas State, 26-20
2013, away, Kansas State, 35-12
2012, home, Kansas State, 55-14
1931, home, Kansas State, 19-0
1930, home, West Virginia, 23-7
ARIZONA (First Meeting)
CINCINNATI (17-3-1)
2023, home, West Virginia, 42-21
2011, away, West Virginia, 24-21
2010, home, West Virginia, 37-10
2009, away, Cincinnati, 24-21
2008, home, Cincinnati, 26-23/OT
2007, away, West Virginia, 28-23
2006, home, West Virginia, 42-24
2005, away, West Virginia, 38-0
2003, home, Cincinnati, 15-13
2002, away, West Virginia, 35-32
1990, home, West Virginia, 28-20
1989, home, West Virginia, 69-3
1988, away, West Virginia, 51-13
1987, home, West Virginia, 45-17
1980, home, West Virginia, 41-27
1969, home, West Virginia, 57-11
1940, home, tie, 7-7
1939, away, West Virginia, 7-0
1936, away, West Virginia, 40-6
1922, away, West Virginia, 34-0
1921, home, West Virginia, 50-0
BAYLOR (8-4)
2023, away, West Virginia, 34-31
2022, home, West Virginia, 43-40
2021, away, Baylor, 45-20
2020, home, West Virginia, 27-21, 2OT 2019, away, Baylor, 17-14
2018, home, West Virginia, 58-14
2017, away, West Virginia, 38-36
2016, home, West Virginia, 24-21
2015, away, Baylor, 62-38
2014, home, West Virginia, 41-27
2013, away, Baylor, 73-42
2012, home, West Virginia, 70-63
UCF (3-0)
2023, away, West Virginia, 41-28
2004, away, West Virginia, 45-20
2003, home, West Virginia, 36-18
TEXAS TECH (7-6)
2023, home, West Virginia, 20-13
2022, away, Texas Tech, 48-10
2021, home, Texas Tech, 23-20
2020, away, Texas Tech, 34-27
2019, home, Texas Tech, 38-17
2018, away, West Virginia, 42-34
2017, home, West Virginia, 46-35
2016, away, West Virginia, 48-17
2015, home, West Virginia, 31-26
2014, away, West Virginia, 37-34
2013, home, Texas Tech, 37-27
2012, away, Texas Tech, 49-14
1937, Sun Bowl, West Virginia, 7-6
GAME 1
2, 2023)
West Virginia and Penn State opened the 2023 football season in front of 110,747 fans at Beaver Stadium, and an NBC national television audience watched as the No.7/7-ranked Nittany Lions came away with a 38-15 victory.
1st PSU KeAndre Lambert-Smith 72 pass from Drew Allar (Sander Sahaydak kick)
2nd WVU CJ Donaldson Jr. 1 rush (Michael Hayes kick)
PSU Nicholas Singleton 2 rush (Sahaydak kick)
3rd PSU Lambert-Smith 12 pass from Allar (Alex Felkins kick)
4th
PSU Felkins 25 FG
PSU Malik McClain 25 pass from Allar (Felkins kick)
WVU Garrett Greene 1 rush (Donaldson pass from Greene)
PSU RUSHING: Singleton 13-70, Allen 10-51; PSU PASSING: Allar 21-29-0-325; PSU RECEIVING: Lambert-Smith 4-123, Wallace 7-72; PSU TACKLES (TFL/QS): Jacobs 10 (1/1), King 5; PSU INTERCEPTIONS: None.
Attendance - 110,747
The Mountaineers were playing their first game at Penn State since 1991 and first game against the Nittany Lions since 1992. However, as in the overall history of the series between the two teams, Penn State prevailed to extend its record to 49-9-2 against WVU.
West Virginia made it tougher on the home team than a lot thought, especially after the Nittany Lions scored so easily on their first possession.
Quarterback Drew Allar connected with KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 72-yard aerial strike just four plays into PSU’s first possession for a quick 7-0 lead.
However, West Virginia tied the game in the second quarter behind a 69-yard drive that was highlighted by a 37-yard completion from quarterback Garrett Greene to receiver Devin Carter. Running back CJ Donaldson Jr. finished the nine-play drive with a 1-yard run at the 14:14 mark of the second quarter.
Penn State finished the half missing two field goals, but did grab a 14-7 lead at the break on Nicholas Singleton’s 2-yard run to end a 10-play, 81-yard drive at the 4:59 mark.
Second-half action saw Penn State outscore West Virginia 24-8 to take the victory. In the third quarter, LambertSmith reached the end zone again with a 12-yard reception from Allar, putting the score at 21-7 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Nittany Lions then put the game out of reach with an Alex Felkins 25-yard field goal early in the fourth and a Malik McClain 25-yard touchdown reception with 7:29 left in the game.
The Mountaineers’ lone scoring drive of the second half was an impressive 10-play, 75-yard drive engineered by Greene. The quarterback completed passes of 23 and 22 yards to Carter before finishing it himself with a 1-yard run with 3:34 left in the contest.
After a WVU onside kick failed, Penn State added a late touchdown with just six seconds remaining on a 5-yard run from backup quarterback Beau Pribula.
Allar was strong in his first start, passing for 325 yards and three touchdowns on 21 completions. Singleton led the Penn State running game with 70 yards, while LambertSmith led all receivers with 123 yards. PSU’s defensive effort was led by linebacker Curtis Jacobs with 10 tackles and one sack.
Greene rushed for 71 yards, while passing for 162 to total 233 yards of total offense. Donaldson finished with 81 yards, while Carter managed six catches for 90 yards in his Mountaineer debut.
Linebacker Lee Kpogba was all over the field in leading the Mountaineer defense. The senior totaled 13 tackles and two TFLs in the effort.
Final numbers showed Penn State outgaining the Mountaineers by 170 yards. The Nittany Lions finished with 146 yards rushing and 332 passing for 478 total yards. West Virginia also gained 146 yards rushing but could only muster 162 passing yards to finish with 308 yards of total offense.
The two teams had not played each other in 31 years, but the victory gave Penn State a five-game winning streak in the series.
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. (SEPT.
GAME 2
West Virginia got its first win of the 2023 season with a 56-17 victory over Duquesne at Milan Puskar Stadium.
1st DUQ DJ Powell 38 pass from Darius Perrantes (Brian Bruzdewicz kick)
WVU Hudson Clement 14 pass from Garrett Greene (Michael Hayes kick)
2nd WVU Jaylen Anderson 8 rush (Hayes kick)
DUQ Bruzdewicz 39 FG
WVU Clement 70 pass from Greene (Hayes kick)
WVU Clement 46 pass from Greene (Hayes kick)
WVU Preston Fox 22 pass from Greene (Hayes kick)
3rd WVU Jahiem White 19 run (Hayes kick)
DUQ Tedy Afful 16 pass from Perrantes (Bruzdewicz kick)
The game was halted for 1:54 in the second quarter due to lightning in the area around the stadium as heavy rains dominated the early part of the evening. The delay was the first stoppage in play for lightning at Milan Puskar Stadium since 2011.
When play was stopped, West Virginia held a 14-10 lead, but when it resumed, the Mountaineers outscored the Dukes 42-7 to secure the victory.
The game also featured the emergence of redshirt freshman receiver Hudson Clement, who lit up the Dukes for 177 yards receiving and three touchdowns on five catches. Clement turned in 72 yards after the catch, and head coach Neal Brown awarded the Martinsburg, West Virginia, native a scholarship after the game.
Duquesne started the scoring in the first quarter by taking advantage of a WVU miscue by the punt return unit. The turnover gave the Dukes a fresh set of downs, and they responded with a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Darius Perrantes to receiver D.J. Powell. At the 12:01 mark, Duquesne left a wake-up call and had a 7-0 advantage over the Mountaineers.
The lead was Duquesne’s only in the game and it was short-lived. WVU quarterback Garrett Greene proceeded to get the Mountaineers on the board with a 14-yard scoring toss to Clement to close out a 46-yard drive.
Second-quarter action saw West Virginia up its lead to 14-7, when running back Jaylen Anderson ended a 94-yard drive with an 8-yard run. Before the rain hit, Duquesne added a 39-yard field goal by Brian Bruzdewicz, closing the visitors’ deficit to 14-10.
When play resumed, the Mountaineers finished the second quarter by outscoring the Dukes 21-0. Clement struck again with a 70-yard scoring reception from Greene before the duo connected on a 46-yard aerial touchdown. Greene to Clement accounted for scores of 14, 70 and 46 yards in the first half to lead the Mountaineers.
Closing the scoring in the first half was Greene’s fourth touchdown pass, a 22-yarder to Preston Fox, to give West Virginia a 35-10 lead moving to the third quarter.
Since both teams were idle for almost two hours, no halftime break was taken. West Virginia picked up where it left off as running back Jahiem White added a 19yard rushing score on his way to leading all rushers in the game with 110 yards on 12 carries.
Duquesne stopped the 28-point Mountaineer run with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Perrantes to Tedy Afful to close the third quarter.
The Mountaineers added fourth quarter scores behind backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol’s 1-yard run and a 5-yard rush from DJ Oliver, putting the final victory margin at 39 points.
Final numbers showed West Virginia with a strong and balanced 304 yards rushing and 315 passing to total 619 yards of offense. While Duquesne could only muster three yards rushing, the Dukes made up for it by passing for 231 yards to finish with 234 total yards.
The win gave the Mountaineers a 21-0 all-time record against FCS teams.
HUDSON CLEMENT
MORGANTOWN (SEPT. 9, 2023)
GAME 3
1st PITT Ben Sauls 21 FG
2nd WVU Kole Taylor 7 pass from Nicco Marchiol (Michael Hayes kick)
2nd PITT Sauls 36 FG
3rd WVU CJ Donaldson 1 rush (Hayes kick) WVU Hayes 42 FG
The 106th version of the “Backyard Brawl” saw West Virginia capture a 17-6 victory as the Mountaineers welcomed Pitt to Morgantown for the first time since 2011.
It might have been a low-scoring affair, but the anticipation and excitement was anything but as one of college football’s oldest and best rivalries was played before 61,106 fans and an ABC national television audience.
At first, it looked like it was going to be a long night for the Mountaineers as Pitt marched down the field on its opening possession. In 11 plays, Pitt moved the ball 67 yards, but had to settle for a 21-yard field goal from kicker Ben Sauls as the West Virginia defense stiffened at the right time.
After quarterback Garrett Greene injured his ankle on WVU’s second drive and could not return, backup Nicco Marchiol took the reins and ended the Pitt lead at the 4:45 mark of the second quarter.
An interception by WVU’s Aubrey Burks set up the Mountaineer offense at the Pitt 7-yard line, one-play later, Marchiol connected with tight end Kole Taylor for a 7-yard touchdown and a lead WVU would never relinquish.
As the second quarter came to an end, Pitt used a 12-play, 57-yard drive to get into field goal range and Sauls delivered with a 36-yarder to put the score at 7-6 at the break.
Despite trailing by a point, Pitt outrushed the Mountaineers 105-71 and led the total yardage statistic by a 138-106 count after both teams combined for a meager 68 yards passing on six completions.
After holding the Panthers on the first drive of the third quarter, West Virginia then turned in its best drive of the night to take a 14-6 advantage with 4:59 left in the quarter. Possessing the ball for 7:48, the Mountaineers ran 13 plays, and running back CJ Donaldson scored from 1 yard out to extend WVU’s lead.
Donaldson was impressive in the drive, carrying the ball on eight of the 13 plays and gaining 44 of the 61 yards.
As a Pitt miscue turned the momentum in West Virginia’s favor in the first half, a second Phil Jurkovec interception essentially ended any hopes of a Panther comeback. West Virginia’s Beanie Bishop returned the interception 40 yards to the Panther 30. Four plays later, WVU kicker Michael Hayes connected on a 42-yard field goal, giving the home team a 17-6 lead heading to the fourth quarter.
West Virginia’s defense continued to come up big when needed and a third interception of Jurkovec ended one last Pitt threat as both teams went scoreless in the final quarter.
Donaldson paced a conservative Mountaineer offense with 102 rushing yards, while Hayes made his first field goal as a Mountaineer. Trey Lathan led the defense with eight tackles.
Final numbers showed West Virginia with 151 yards rushing and 60 passing to total 211 yards of offense. Pitt finished with 130 yards rushing and 81 passing to also total 211 yards of offense. In a game so evenly matched in statistics, it was Pitt’s three interceptions that proved to be the difference in the game and propelled the Mountaineers to the win.
The victory gave WVU an 8-4 record in the last 12 games vs. Pitt as the Mountaineers have won four of the last five “Backyard Brawls.”
WVU Kole Taylor 9 pass from Nicco Marchiol (Hayes kick)
TTU Garcia 34 FG
MORGANTOWN (SEPT. 23, 2023)
West Virginia ended a four-game losing streak to Texas Tech by defeating the Red Raiders, 20-13, on a rainy afternoon in Morgantown.
There is no doubt that West Virginia was looking to flip the script over Texas Tech. After beating the Red Raiders five straight times at one point in the series, Tech bounced back to win the last four and was the only Big 12 team before the expansion that WVU’s Neal Brown hadn’t defeated as the Mountaineers’ head coach.
That all changed in game four of the 2023 season as West Virginia led for most of the game and held on behind a great defensive stand to defeat the Red Raiders.
TTU RUSHING: Brooks 25-149; TTU PASSING: Morton 13-37-0158; TTU RECEIVING: White 3-22, Bradley 3-30; TTU TACKLES (TFL/QS): Pierre 12, Roberts 11 (1/0); TTU INTERCEPTIONS: Roberts, Dunlap.
Attendance - 50,071
The game turned out to be a battle of the backup quarterbacks. West Virginia’s Garrett Greene was out with an ankle injury and backup Nicco Marchiol got his first start for the Gold and Blue. Texas Tech’s starting quarterback, Tyler Shough, was injured in the first quarter and his backup, Behren Morton, finished the final three quarters for the Red Raiders.
Before leaving the game, Shough engineered the game’s first score as he led the Tech offense to a 3-0 lead behind a 39-yard field goal from Gino Garcia. The 3-0 lead proved to be Texas Tech’s only one in the game and was set up by a Malik Dunlap interception of Marchiol, which was returned 21 yards into West Virginia territory.
West Virginia answered the score before the end of the first quarter as the Mountaineers used 6:47 of the clock on 13 plays for a 7-3 lead behind running back CJ Donaldson’s 2-yard run.
West Virginia scored the only points in the second quarter on two Michael
Hayes field goals. The first one of 28 yards came at the 6:29 mark to end another six-minute-plus drive for the Mountaineers.
Leading 10-3, WVU took a 13-3 lead at the half on Hayes’ 46-yard field goal, which was set up by the Mountaineer defense after it stopped the Red Raiders on fourth down in WVU territory.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, setting up a 17-point fourth and plenty of nervous excitement inside Milan Puskar Stadium.
The Red Raiders closed the deficit to 13-10 early in the quarter by taking advantage of a 27-yard run from Tahj Brooks to set up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Morton to Jerand Bradley.
However, it appeared as if West Virginia weathered the comeback, when it answered the score with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Marchiol to tight end Kole Taylor.
Tech followed with a Garcia 34-yard field goal with 4:38 left, putting the score at 20-13 in favor of WVU, but when the Mountaineer offense could not control the clock and went three-and-out, the Red Raiders had a chance to tie or win the game as they took possession with 3:45 left in the game.
The Red Raiders ran 15 plays and drove 61 yards to the WVU 11-yard line, but Morton’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 19 seconds remaining, to give WVU the victory.
Neither team shined on offense as the defenses controlled the day and stood out for both teams. Final numbers showed WVU with 157 yards rushing and 99 passing for 256 total yards. Texas Tech came in at 160 yards on the ground behind the 149-yard effort from Brooks and 161 through the air for 321 total yards.
In all-time Big 12 play, the series is tied at 6-6.
NICCO MARCHIOL
GAME 5
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (SEPT. 30, 2023)
West Virginia survived a fast start from TCU and used key special teams plays down the stretch to earn its first road victory of the 2023 season with a 24-21 win at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
1st TCU JP Richardson 59 pass from Chandler Morris (Griffin Kell kick)
Three rushing touchdowns, an impressive second-half defensive performance and two blocked field goals propelled the Mountaineers to the upset victory. West Virginia entered the game as double-digit underdogs to the Horned Frogs.
TCU certainly had a strong offensive performance in the first half, totaling 312 yards. The home team scored four plays into its first possession of the game, causing concern for the visitors.
The four plays took only 51 seconds as quarterback Chandler Morris connected with receiver JP Richardson for a 59-yard touchdown reception, giving the Horned Frogs a 7-0 lead.
Before the end of the opening quarter, West Virginia answered the score behind the running of quarterback Garrett Greene, whose 35-yard run tied the score at 7-7. Greene’s 30yard completion to Devin Carter set up the scoring run.
TCU outscored WVU 14-7 in the second quarter. Driving 81 yards, the Horned Frogs regained the lead on Morris’ 31-yard touchdown run.
West Virginia again answered the TCU score with a 1-yard run from CJ Donaldson Jr. to tie the game at 14-14 with 1:50 left in the half.
Disaster struck for the Mountaineers in the final minute as the defense was unable to keep TCU off the board. Morris hit Dylan Wright for a 36-yard scoring strike with just 24 seconds left to take a 21-14 advantage at the half.
West Virginia’s defense might have given up 312 yards in the first
two quarters, but the unit had a strong second half, holding TCU to just 1 yard in the third quarter and 121 total yards and zero points in the second half.
In the third quarter, the Mountaineers tied the game at 21-21 on Greene’s second touchdown run, a 1-yarder.
After the TCU defense turned away the Mountaineer offense with a goalline stand, WVU took its first lead off the leg of kicker Michael Hayes, who converted a 49-yard field goal with 9:23 remaining.
The Horned Frogs then embarked on two straight drives to win the game or send it to overtime and both times, the Mountaineer defense came up big.
The first play came from tackle Mike Lockhart, who blocked a 46-yard field goal attempt from TCU kicker Griffin Kell. On the Horned Frogs’ next possession, fellow defensive lineman Sean Martin reached up to block Kell’s 55-yard, game-tying attempt with 32 seconds remaining to seal the upset victory for the visitors.
While West Virginia won the game, it also suffered injuries to key defensive starters Aubrey Burks and Trey Lathan as both were carted off the field. Linebacker Lee Kpogba picked up the defense with 11 tackles, and Greene led the offense with 80 yards rushing and 142 passing.
TCU got 298 yards passing from Morris and two touchdowns, while Jamoi Hodge and Shad Banks combined for 19 tackles.
Final numbers showed West Virginia with 201 yards rushing and 142 passing for 343 total yards. The Horned Frogs came in at 135 on the ground and 298 through the air for 433 offensive yards.
The win improved West Virginia to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in the Big 12, while TCU dropped to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
GAME 6
GARRETT GREENE
1st WVU Michael Hayes 27 FG
HOU Matthew Golden 100 kickoff return (Jack Martin kick)
WVU CJ Donaldson 5 rush (Hayes kick)
2nd HOU Donovan Smith 2 rush (Martin kick)
3rd WVU Traylon Ray 35 pass from Garrett Greene (Hayes kick)
HOU Joseph Manjack 15 pass from Smith (Martin kick)
4th WVU Greene 1 rush (Hayes kick)
HOU Sam Brown 8 pass from Smith (Martin kick)
HOU Stephon Johnson 21 pass from Smith (Martin kick)
WVU Greene 8 rush (Ray conversion pass from Greene)
WVU Hudson Clement 50 pass from Greene (Hayes kick)
Houston executed a 49-yard, Hail Mary pass, on the game’s last play to defeat West Virginia 41-39 at TDECU Stadium,
The game saw the two teams combine for 42 points in the fourth quarter as it took every tick of the clock to determine the winner on a Thursday night in front of a FS1 national television audience.
The game saw West Virginia run 82 offensive plays compared to 53 for the Cougars. The Mountaineers possessed the ball 13 minutes longer, but Houston used the quick strike on special teams and offense for the victory.
West Virginia marched down field on its first possession as the Mountaineers traveled 82 yards but could only come away with a 27-yard field goal from kicker Michael Hayes.
West Virginia’s 3-0 lead didn’t last long as Houston’s talented kick returner, Matthew Golden, took the ensuing kickoff 100 yards, giving the Cougars a 7-3 lead with 4:03 left in the quarter.
The Mountaineers regained the lead with 13 seconds left in the opening frame as running back CJ Donaldson Jr., scored on a 5-yard run. Donaldson also contributed an 18yard reception in the 69-yard scoring drive.
The Cougars closed the first-half scoring, when quarterback Donovan Smith rushed in from 2 yards out with 25 seconds left in the first half. Even though West Virginia outgained Houston 197-109 in total yards, the Cougars still led 14-10 at the half.
West Virginia’s third quarter started off strong as the Mountaineers converted a 35-yard flee flicker from quarterback Garrett Greene to
receiver Traylon Ray four plays into the quarter.
The scoring play gave the Mountaineers a 17-14 lead, which held until the 5:09 mark of the third as Houston took a 21-17 advantage on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Joseph Manjack.
The wild fourth quarter began with a Greene 1-yard touchdown run with 14:09 left, ending a 78-yard drive for the Mountaineers.
Trailing 24-21, Houston then scored on its next two possessions to open up a 35-24 advantage with 7:28 left. Smith connected with Sam Brown for an 8-yard score and then followed with a 21-yard scoring strike to Stephon Johnson for the 11-point lead.
But Greene would not let the Mountaineers go quietly as he led a 75-yard scoring drive capped by his 8-yard run. WVU’s two-point conversion was successful, and the Mountaineers trailed 35-32 with 3:34 left in the game.
The Mountaineer defense gave the offense the ball back, and Greene took full advantage, completing passes of 17 and 21 yards before a 50-yard aerial strike to Hudson Clement for a 39-35 Mountaineer lead with 12 seconds remaining.
An unsportsmanlike penalty pushed the ensuing kickoff back 15 yards and ended up giving the Cougars the ball near midfield. Smith completed an 8-yard pass before heaving the 49-yard game winner into the end zone, which was caught by Johnson for the victory.
Greene passed for a career-high 391 yards in the game with 116 of those yards going to receiver Devin Carter. West Virginia totaled 546 total yards compared to 393 for Houston.
The game was the first-ever meeting on the gridiron for the two teams. The Mountaineers fell to 4-2 on the season, while Houston evened its record at 3-3.
GAME
34
1st OSU Alex Hale 37 FG
OSU Ollie Gordon 2 rush Alex (Hale kick)
2nd WVU Justin Johnson 3 rush (Michael Hayes kick)
WVU Hayes 34 FG
OSU Hale 29 FG
WVU Devin Carter 45 pass from Garrett Greene (Hayes kick)
3rd OSU Jaden Bray 5 pass from Alan Bowman (Hale kick)
4th
OSU Gordon 16 rush (Hale kick)
WVU Hayes 29 FG
MORGANTOWN (OCT. 21, 2023)
Oklahoma State used a bruising running game to defeat West Virginia by a 48-34 score on Homecoming Day in Morgantown.
Rain fell off and on during the contest, but that didn’t slow Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon as he finished with 282 rushing yards, four touchdowns and an average of 9.7 yards per carry. Gordon seemed to get stronger as the game went on, totaling 149 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone.
WVU EJ Horton 32 passs from Greene (Hayes kick)
OSU Brennan Presley 29 pass from Bowman (Hale kick)
OSU Gordon 46 rush (Hale kick)
WVU Donaldson 3 rush (Hayes kick)
OSU Gordon 53 rush (Hale kick) OSU WVU
First Downs 21 24
Rushes/Yards 33/281 44/226
Passing Yardage 210 249 Passes 24/36/1 15/30/1
Punts 3/115/38.3 3/136/45.3
Fumbles/Lost 1/1 2/2
Return Yardage 82 21
Penalties/Yards 7/65 5/55
Time of Possession 27:24 32:36
WVU RUSHING: Greene 16-117, Johnson 14-72; WVU PASSING: Greene 15-30-1-249; WVU RECEIVING: Fox 4-81, Horton 3-79, Carter 3-54; WVU TACKLES (TFL/QS): Wilson 8, Cutter 7 (1/0); WVU INTERCEPTIONS: Wilson.
OSU RUSHING: Gordon 29-282; OSU PASSING: Bowman 2436-1-210; OSU RECEIVING: Presley 9-62; OSU TACKLES (TFL/ QS): Martin 17 (2/0), Daniels 11 (1/0), Oliver 10 (1/1); OSU INTERCEPTIONS: Black.
Attendance - 51,870
It was obvious that West Virginia had no answer for him, but the Mountaineers still took a 24-20 lead into the fourth quarter before a muffed punt and untimely penalties in the quarter took their toll on the home team.
The Cowboys started strong, taking a 10-0 lead after one quarter of play behind a 37-yard field goal from Alex Hale and Gordon’s first touchdown in the game, which was a 2-yard run.
However, West Virginia not only used the second quarter to claw back into the game, but the Mountaineers took a 17-13 lead into the locker room at the half.
West Virginia outscored the Cowboys, 17-3, in the second quarter behind a 3-yard rush from running back Justin Johnson Jr., a 34-yard field goal from kicker Michael Hayes and a beautiful 45-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Garrett Greene to receiver Devin Carter.
OSU’s lone score in the quarter was a 29-yard field goal from Hale, and statistically, the first half played mostly even for the two teams.
It wasn’t until the fourth quarter where Oklahoma State’s dominance started to take over as the third quarter played evenly as well.
The Cowboys regained the lead in the third behind a 5-yard scoring pass from quarterback Alan Bowman to receiver Jaden Bray.
The Mountaineers bounced back later in the quarter and regained the advantage on Greene’s 32-yard touchdown strike to EJ Horton, giving the home team a 24-20 lead heading to the fourth.
OSU outscored the Mountaineers, 28-10, in the fourth. After a muffed punt set up a 16-yard scoring run by Gordon early in the quarter, WVU would not lead again. Hayes converted his second field goal to tie the score at 27-27 with 9:39 left but missed tackles and the powerful running from Gordon ended any hopes of a WVU win.
Oklahoma State added a 29-yard touchdown pass from Bowman to Brennan Presley and long scoring runs of 46 and 53 yards by Gordon to capture the Big 12 road win. WVU’s lone touchdown in the fourth came at the 2:37 mark on CJ Donaldson Jr.’s 3-yard rush.
Greene finished with 249 yards passing and two scores, while rushing for an additional 117 yards to lead the Mountaineers.
Aside from Gordon’s impressive performance, Bowman played a solid game with 210 yards passing and two touchdowns. Cowboy defenders Nickolas Martin, Kendal Daniels and Collin Oliver combined for 38 tackles to pace the defense for the visitors.
Final numbers showed West Virginia with 226 rushing yards and 249 passing to total 475 yards of offense. Oklahoma State finished with 281 yards on the ground and 210 through the air for 491 total yards. Considering lost yardage by his teammates, Gordon’s 282 rushing yards was the entire team’s effort.
The win allowed Oklahoma State to continue its dominance over WVU. OSU leads the series 10-5 overall and 9-3 in Big 12 play.
MICHAEL HAYES II
GAME 8
ORLANDO, FLA. (OCT. 28, 2023)
West Virginia got a big road victory with a 41-28 decision at UCF in front of 44,136 fans at FBC Mortgage Stadium.
The Mountaineers took advantage of four UCF turnovers, three interceptions and one fumble, and scored 21 points off those Knight miscues to propel them to victory.
1st WVU Garrett Greene 6 rush (Michael Hayes kick)
UCF Kobe Hudson 34 pass from John Rhys Plumlee (Colton Boomer kick)
WVU Hayes 24 FG
2nd WVU Jahiem White 4 rush (Hayes kick)
UCF Plumlee 8 rush
3rd WVU Greene 7 rush (Hayes kick)
UCF Javon Baker 7 pass from Plumlee (Boomer kick)
4th WVU Greene 1 rush (Hayes kick)
WVU Donaldson 6 rush (Hayes kick)
WVU Hayes 41 FG
UCF Hudson 16 pass from Plumlee (Hale kick)
WVU UCF
First Downs 25 27
Rushes/Yards 50/286 33/18
Passing Yardage 164 274
Passes 15/24/0 25/36/3
Punts 2/84/42.0 1/36/36.0
Fumbles/Lost 3/1 1/1
Return Yardage 70 18
Penalties/Yards 4/35 6/56
Time of Possession 36:06 23:54
WVU RUSHING: Donaldson 17-121, White 9-85; WVU PASSING: Greene 14-23-0-156; WVU RECEIVING: Carter 3-47, Fox 3-33; WVU TACKLES (TFL/QS): Kpogba 8 (1/1); WVU INTERCEPTIONS: Bishop (2), Floyd.
West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene turned in yet another strong performance with three rushing touchdowns to lead the visitors. Greene’s final numbers showed 55 yards rushing and 156 yards passing to go along with those three scores. The three rushing touchdown performance was the first by a Mountaineer quarterback since Pat White turned in three in 2008.
The Mountaineers struck first on the opening drive of the game, marching 75 yards to take a 7-0 lead on Greene’s 6-yard run.
The advantage didn’t last long as UCF answered on its first drive, when quarterback John Rhys Plumlee connected with Kobe Hudson for a 34yard scoring toss.
WVU answered before the end of the first quarter with a 24-yard field goal by kicker Michael Hayes, which ended a 71-yard drive.
Second quarter action saw West Virginia extend its lead to 17-7, when running back Jahiem White scored on a 4-yard rush.The 64-yard scoring drive was set up by Beanie Bishop Jr.’s interception and subsequent 31-yard return.
UCF closed the first-half scoring on an 8-yard run from Plumlee to put the score at 17-14 in favor of the visitors at the intermission.
UCF got the ball first to start the third quarter and drove to the WVU 32-yard line before Bishop grabbed his second interception and returned it
20 yards. Greene and the Mountaineer offense took it from there, driving the remaining 68 yards to take a 24-14 lead on Greene’s 7-yard run.
The Knights would not go away and closed their deficit to 24-21 later in the third, when Plumlee hit Javon Baker for a 7-yard scoring pass with 5:25 left. However, that would be the Knights’ last points until the final minute of the game, as West Virginia scored the game’s next 17 points. Linebacker Lee Kpogba’s sack forced a fumble by Plumlee at the 1:10 mark of the third quarter and provided the spark for the 17-0 run.
Greene’s 1-yard touchdown run at the start of the fourth quarter opened up a 31-21 advantage. Running back CJ Donaldson Jr., got in on the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown, which was set up by Greene’s 13-yard completion to EJ Horton on fourth-and-2. Hayes ended the scoring run with a 41-yard field goal, putting the score at 41-21 with 5:07 left to play.
The Knights added a score late, but when West Virginia recovered the onside kick and Donaldson scampered for 32 yards, all that was left for the visitors to do was take a knee to end the game.
Aside from Greene’s numbers, Donaldson added 121 yards rushing, and White chipped in 85 yards on the ground
For the Knights, Plumlee finished with 274 yards passing and three scores, while RJ Harvey turned in 100 yards rushing.
Final numbers showed West Virginia with 286 rushing yards and 164 passing for 450 total yards. UCF gained 189 yards on the ground and 274 through the air for 463 total yards.
The win gave West Virginia a 3-0 lead in the all-time series against UCF with a 2-0 mark in Orlando. As conference members of the Big 12, the Mountaineers are 1-0 vs. UCF.
BEANIE BISHOP JR.
GAME 9
MORGANTOWN (NOV. 4, 2023)
West Virginia turned in one of its most complete performances of the 2023 season with a convincing, 37-7 victory over the visiting BYU Cougars.
1st WVU CJ Donaldson 2 rush (Michael Hayes kick)
WVU Donaldson 1 rush (Hayes kick)
2nd WVU Hayes 46 FG
WVU Preston Fox 12 pass from Garrett Greene (Hayes kick)
The Mountaineers got 100-yard rushing performances from Jahiem White and CJ Donaldson Jr., to lead a strong offensive attack as the home team scored the game’s first 37 points.
Defensively, West Virginia held the visitors to just 67 yards rushing as the Cougars could not light their side of the scoreboard until 6:24 left in the contest.
West Virginia was playing BYU for the second time in its history, the first time in Morgantown and the first time as members of the Big 12 Conference.
The Mountaineers jumped on the Cougars early and never looked back as they took the game’s opening drive 75 yards on 11 plays to grab a 7-0 lead on Donaldson’s 2-yard run.
Donaldson gave the Mountaineers a 14-0 advantage later in the quarter on his 1-yard plunge, ending a 52-yard scoring drive.
In the second quarter, West Virginia added three scores to up its lead to 27-0 at the half. The first came at the 10:47 mark, when kicker Michael Hayes connected on a 46-yard field goal.
Quarterback Garrett Greene tossed the first of his two touchdown passes in the game with 2:18 left in the half as his 12-yard strike to receiver Preston Fox gave the home team a 24-0 edge.
Later, as time expired, Hayes added his second field goal, this time from 22 yards, as the Mountaineers turned in an impressive 78-yard drive to take the 27-point lead into the locker room. The drive was set up by Aubrey Burks’ forced fumble and recovery at the WVU 18-yard line to halt a Cougar scoring threat.
West Virginia put the game out of reach with a 10-point third quarter. Hayes was again spot on with his kicking as his third field goal in the game was good from 23 yards out.
Tight end Kole Taylor finished the Mountaineer scoring with a 43-yard touchdown reception from Greene with 1:09 left in the third. Taylor’s touchdown ended another impressive drive as WVU drove 85 yards in seven plays, while also taking 4:14 off the clock.
The Cougars ended the shutout as they got on the board with 6:24 left in the game. Running back Aiden Robbins scampered in from 10 yards out, ending an eight-play, 62-yard drive.
White finished the game for the Mountaineers with a career-high 146 yards rushing as he turned in the second 100-yard rushing performance of his freshman season. Meanwhile, Donaldson turned in his second straight 100-yard rushing game with 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Aside from the rushing numbers from White and Donaldson, West Virginia got 205 yards passing from Greene and 56 yards on three catches from receiver Devin Carter. The Mountaineer defensive effort was led by linebacker Lee Kpogba with eight tackles.
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff led the Cougar attack with 210 yards passing. Max Tooley and Eddie Heckard led the BYU defense as they combined for 22 tackles.
Final numbers showed West Virginia with 336 yards rushing and 231 passing to total 567 yards of offense. The 336 yards rushing was a team high for West Virginia in the Neal Brown era. BYU came in at 210 yards through the air and 67 on the ground for 277 yards of offense.
The win gave West Virginia a 2-0 mark in the all-time series with BYU and a 1-0 record against the Cougars in Big 12 play.
GAME 10
NORMAN, OKLA. (NOV. 11, 2023)
1 2 3 4 F
West Virginia 7 7 6 0 20
Oklahoma 14 17 14 14 59
1st WVU CJ Donaldson 13 rush (Michael Hayes kick)
OU Dillon Gabriel 2 rush (Zach Schmit kick)
OU Gabriel 2 rush (Schmit kick)
2nd OU Schmit 23 FG
OU Austin Stogner 3 pass from Gabriel (Schmit kick)
OU Jayden Gibson 32 pass from Gabriel (Schmit kick)
WVU Kole Taylor 3 pass from Garrett Greene (Hayes kick)
3rd OU Drake Stoops 60 pass fromn Gabriel (Schmit kick)
WVU Kole Taylor 43 pass from Greene (Hayes kick)
WVU Devin Carter 7 pass from Greene (Pass failed)
OU Stoops 9 pass from Gabriel (Schmit kick)
4th OU Stoops 9 pass from Gabriel (Schmit kick)
OU Gabriel 5 rush (Schmit kick)
WVU OU
First Downs 17 25 Rushes/Yards 41/176 42/221
Passing Yardage 154 423 Passes 10/31/2 23/36/0
Punts 6/248/41.3 3/114/38.0
Fumbles/Lost 0/0 2/1
Return Yardage 60 42
Penalties/Yards 2/20 5/60
Time of Possession 30:32 29:28
WVU RUSHING: Donaldson 14-79; WVU PASSING: Greene 10-27-1-154; WVU RECEIVING: Carter 3-67, Ray 2-56; WVU TACKLES (TFL/QS): Wilson 11, McLaurin 9 (1/0); WVU INTERCEPTIONS: None.
OU RUSHING: Sawchuk 22-135; OU PASSING: Gabriel 23-360-423; OU RECEIVING: Stoops 10-164, Anderson 4-119; OU TACKLES (TFL/QS): Stutsman 8 (2/0); OU INTERCEPTIONS: Johnson, Pearson.
Attendance - 83,525
Playing for the last time as Big 12 conference members, No. 17/16 Oklahoma defended its home turf in a big way with a 59-20 victory over West Virginia.
The game was total domination by the Sooners, espesically from their quarterback Dillon Gabriel who threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns against the Mountaineer defense. Gabriel added three touchdowns rushing for eight total touchdowns in the rout.
The game started favorably for the visitors from Morgantown as the Mountaineers took the game’s opening drive 75 yards in eight plays for a 7-0 lead on running back CJ Donaldson Jr.’s 13-yard run. The big play in the drive was quarterback Garrett Greene’s 32-yard completion to receiver Devin Carter.
That opening drive was the highlight of the night for the Mountaineers as Oklahoma took over and never looked back. The Sooners took their first drive to the end zone easily with gains of 19, 23, and 30 yards to tie the game on Gabriel’s 2-yard run at the 8:27 mark of the first quarter.
Gabriel’s first score started a string of 31 unanswered points by the home team that didn’t end until seven seconds before halftime.
Before the end of the quarter, Gabriel added his second touchdown run, and kicker Zach Schmit converted a 23-yard field goal for a 17-7 Sooner advantage.
Gabriel did the rest of the damage in the first half with his arm connecting on a 3-yard scoring toss to receiver Austin Stogner and then a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Gibson, giving Oklahoma a 31-7 lead.
West Virginia stopped the onslaught with Greene’s 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kole Taylor, ending a 75-yard drive before halftime with the score 3114 in favor of the Sooners.
Oklahoma picked up where it left off to start the second half. The third quarter’s opening drive saw receiver Drake Stoops haul in a 60-yard scoring reception to up the Sooner advantage to 38-14 just 1:12 into the third.
West Virginia scored its final points at the 9:28 mark on Carter’s 7-yard touchdown catch, but the Sooners closed the game with 21 more points for the lopsided win.
Oklahoma’s final 21 points came from the Stoops and Gabriel show. The quarterback connected with Stoops for two touchdown receptions of 9 yards each and then finished the scoring with his 5-yard run for the 39-point win.
Aside from Gabriel’s impressive day, Stoops had three touchdowns and 164 yards receiving, while Nate Anderson also added 100 yards receiving for the Sooners with 119 yards on four catches. Running back Gavin Sawchuk led the rushing attack with 135 yards.
For WVU, Greene passed for 154 yards and two scores with Carter topping the passing game with 67 yards. Defensive back Anthony Wilson contributed 11 tackles in the effort.
Final numbers were strong for Oklahoma. The Sooners rushed for 221 yards and passed for 423 to total 644 yards of total offense. The Mountaineers were outgained by 314 yards as they finished with 176 on the ground and 154 through the air for 330 total yards.
The game was played before 83,525 fans at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and a national television audience on FOX. The Sooners left the Big 12 Conference at the end of the 2023 season to join the SEC.
ANTHONY WILSON
GAME 11
MORGANTOWN (NOV. 18, 2023)
1 2 3 4 F
Cincinnati 0 7 0 14 21
West Virginia 7 21 14 0 42
1st WVU Garrett Greene 3 rush (Michael Hayes kick)
2nd WVU Jahiem White 75 pass from Greene (Hayes kick)
WVU CJ Donaldson 13 rush (Hayes kick)
CINN Emory Jones 1 rush (Carter Brown kick)
WVU Greene 26 rush (Hayes kick)
3rd WVU Greene 18 rush (Hayes kick)
WVU White 4 rush (Hayes kick)
4th CINN Chamon Metayer 30 pass from Jones (Brown kick)
CINN Metayer 7 pass from Jones (Brown kick) UC WVU
First Downs 18 31
Rushes/Yards 31/141 46/424
Passing Yardage 191 210
Passes 16/27/0 12/19/1
Punts 6/251/41.8 1/56/56.0
Fumbles/Lost 3/0 0/0
Return Yardage 30 21
Penalties/Yards 5/38 5/45
Time of Possession 25:11 34:49
WVU RUSHING: White 21-204, Greene 11-154; WVU PASSING: Greene 12-19-1-210; WVU RECEIVING: Taylor 3-39, White 1-75; WVU TACKLES (TFL/QS): Kpogba 10 (1/1), Wilson 8; WVU INTERCEPTIONS: None.
CINN RUSHING: Kiner 13-56, Jones 10-44; CINN PASSING: Jones 14-24-0-`66; CINN RECEIVING: Henderson 6-104; CINN TACKLES (TFL/QS): Pace 12 (1/0), Grzesiak 8; CINN INTERCEPTIONS: Young.
Attendance - 43,588
West Virginia closed the home portion of its 2023 schedule with a convincing, 42-21, victory over Cincinnati.
The Mountaineers were fueled by the strong offensive performances of running back Jahiem White and quarterback Garrett Greene.
White rushed for 210 yards on 21 carries, averaging 9.7 yards per carry with one touchdown. He also turned in West Virginia’s longest play from scrimmage on the year with his 75-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. White’s work for the day totaled 279 all-purpose yards.
Greene was a threat with arm and legs. The junior rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 14.0 yards per carry. He also contributed 210 yards passing and one score to finish with 364 yards of total offense.
West Virginia’s win over the Bearcats also was special because it marked the day that legendary Hall of Fame Coach Don Nehlen’s name was immortalized in Milan Puskar Stadium. West Virginia’s all-time winningest football coach had his name placed in the stadium with the retired numbers during an in-game ceremony.
Recognizing the importance of the day, which also included the final home game for the 2023 seniors, the Mountaineers jumped on the Bearcats early and never looked back.
By the middle of the second quarter, the Mountaineers had a 21-0 lead behind Greene’s 3-yard run, White’s 75-yard touchdown reception and CJ Donaldson Jr.’s 13-yard run. Donaldson’s scoring run gave him a touchdown in nine straight games on the year.
Cincinnati got on the board with 1:32 left in the half on a 1-yard run from quarterback Emory Jones.
However, the Bearcats left WVU with too much time as Greene engineered a 75yard scoring drive in 52 seconds, capped by his 26-yard run, giving the home team a 28-7 advantage at the half.
The Mountaineers upped their advantage in the third quarter and put the game out of reach by outscoring Cincinnati 14-0 to take a commanding 42-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
Third-quarter scoring saw Greene use his legs again to inflict damage with an 18-yard run to end an 88-yard drive, while White continued to cause havoc on the ground with a 4-yard scoring run, ending a 74-yard drive.
The lead enabled West Virginia to rest its starters and play additional players in the final quarter, which saw Cincinnati eat into its deficit by scoring two touchdowns. Receiver Chamon Metayer hauled in touchdown passes of 30 and 7 yards from Jones to close out the scoring.
Aside from Greene and White, the Mountaineers got a 10-tackle performance from linebacker Lee Kpogba as the WVU defense held Cincinnati to just 173 total yards in three quarters of play before the Bearcats added 159 yards in the fourth quarter.
Leading the way for Cincinnati was receiver Xzavier Henderson with 104 yards receiving on six catches. Jones finished with 166 yards passing and 44 rushing, while the Bearcat defense was led by Deshaen Price with 12 stops.
Final numbers showed that West Virginia turned in two of its highest offensive totals under Neal Brown. WVU rushed for a Brown-era high 424 yards and passed for 210 for a Brown-era high of 634 yards of total offense. The Bearcats finished with 141 yards rushing and 191 passing 332 yards of total offense.
West Virginia now leads the overall series with Cincinnati by a 17-3-1 mark, which includes a 1-0 mark in Big 12 play.
GAME 12
WACO, TEXAS (NOV. 25, 2023)
West Virginia closed the 2023 regular season in exciting fashion with a 34-31, come-from-behind win over Baylor at McLane Stadium.
1st WVU Traylon Ray 30 pass from Garrett Greene (Michael Hayes kick)
2nd WVU Hayes 38 FG
BU Richard Reese 96 kickoff return (Isaiah Hankins kick)
WVU Greene 23 rush (Hayes kick)
BU Reese 93 kickoff return (Hankins kick)
WVU Hayes 36 FG
WVU Greene 1 rush (Hayes kick)
3rd
4th
BU Ketron Jackson 38 pass from Sawyer Robertson (Hankins kick)
BU Dominic Richardson 2 rush (Hankins kick)
BU Hankins 39 FG
WVU Jahiem White 29 pass from Greene (Hayes kick) WVU BAY
BU RUSHING: Reese 6-42; BU PASSING: Robertson 17-19-0215; BU RECEIVING: Jackson 3-88; BU TACKLES (TFL/QS): Bobby 9, Jones 8 (2/0); BU INTERCEPTIONS: None.
Attendance - 36,200
The Mountaineers dominated the game for two quarters both on the field and statistically, but the Bears hung around, and not only took the lead, but came within a minute of recording the upset.
West Virginia started strong and used a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Garrett Greene to Traylon Ray for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
WVU kicker Michael Hayes extended the lead to 10-0 with a 38-yard field goal at the 14:10 mark of the second quarter, and that’s when Baylor started its comeback.
On the ensuing kickoff, Richard Reese put Baylor on the board with an untouched, 96-yard kickoff return, eating into the WVU lead.
Greene answered the kick return with a 23-yard touchdown run to end an 82-yard drive. The only problem with Greene’s score was that the Mountaineers had to kickoff again.
Leading 17-7 at the 10:28 mark of the second quarter, Reese again took a Hayes kick and this time scampered 93 yards virtually untouched for his second touchdown return in the game. The Mountaineers had not had two kickoff returns for a touchdown against them in one game since 1904.
West Virginia, however, regained its composure and closed the first half with two more scores for a 27-14 advantage. Hayes converted his second field goal in the contest, this time from 36 yards, for a 20-14 WVU lead.
Greene put the visitors on the board again with 15 seconds to go before halftime with a 1-yard scoring run. The drive covered 74 yards in only 1:31.
Halftime stats gave the Mountaineers a 365-86 edge in total offense, included a 207-35 rushing advantage.
Unfortunately for West Virginia, Greene’s score would be its last until the closing seconds of the game. Baylor’s comeback was fueled by controlling the third and fourth quarters.
A 38-yard touchdown pass cut the WVU lead to 27-21 at the 10:57 mark before a 2-yard run by Dominic Richardson suddenly gave Baylor a 28-27 lead heading to the fourth.
The Bears extended their lead to 31-27 on Isaiah Hankins’ 39-yard field goal, but when Hankins missed from 32-yards away with 1:14 left in the game, the Mountaineers had the opening they needed.
Greene was terrific in marching WVU 80 yards in six plays for the winning touchdown. He completed passes of 11 and 23 yards, before his runs of 8 and 9 yards set up the winning play. Running back Jahiem White was the recipient of a 29-yard touchdown strike from Greene with just 23 ticks left on the clock to secure the eighth win of the season for the Mountaineers.
White finished with 133 yards rushing to go along with 103 from Greene, who also added 269 yards passing to account for 372 yards of offense and four touchdowns.
Reese stole the show for Baylor with 247 yards on five kickoff returns, which included the two touchdown returns that kept Baylor in the game during the first half.
Final numbers turned out closer than the halftime numbers. The Mountaineers finished with 250 yards rushing and 269 passing for 519 yards of offense. Baylor came in at 119 on the ground and 215 through the air for 334 total offensive yards.
The win was West Virginia’s second alltime in Waco, and the Mountaineers now lead the overall series with Baylor 8-4.
ZACH FRAZIER
GAME 13
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (DEC. 27, 2023)
West Virginia ended the 2023 football season on a high note with a 30-10 victory over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
The victory gave the Mountaineers win No. 9 on the season and propelled them to a No. 25 ranking in the final AFCA Coaches’ Poll.
1st WVU Traylon Ray 75 pass from Garrett Greene (Michael Hayes kick)
2nd UNC Noah Burnette 28 FG
WVU Beanie Bishop 78 punt return (Hayes kick)
UNC J.J. Jones 16 pass from Connor Harrell (Burnette kick)
WVU Hayes 30 FG
3rd WVU Hayes 34 FG
4th WVU Jahiem White 11 rush (Burnette kick)
WVU Hayes 29 FG
UNC WVU
First Downs 20 16
Rushes/Yards 41/140 30/164
Passing Yardage 199 228
Passes 18/27/2 12/23/0
Punts 4/160/40.0 3/145/48.3
Fumbles/Lost 2/1 1/1
Return Yardage 108 106
Penalties/Yards 8/60 9/71
Time of Possession 34:39 25:21
WVU RUSHING: Greene 9-64, White 12-50; WVU PASSING: Greene 12-23-0-228; WVU RECEIVING: Ray 3-91, Clement 5-89; WVU TACKLES (TFL/QS): Kpogba 12 (1/0); Wilson 9, Bishop 8; WVU INTERCEPTIONS: Burks, Bradley.
A sea of gold turned out at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium and the thousands of West Virginia fans were brought to their feet early with fireworks from the Mountaineer offense on the game’s first play.
Quarterback Garrett Greene ignited the WVU faithful with a 75-yard touchdown strike to receiver Traylon Ray for a 7-0 lead.
The margin held until the 8:34 mark of the second quarter when the Tar Heels got on the board. Using a 14-play, 7:13 drive, a 28-yard field goal from Noah Burnette cut WVU’s lead to 7-3.
Later in the quarter, the Mountaineers used special teams fireworks to up their advantage to 14-3, when consensus All-American Beanie Bishop Jr., returned a punt 78 yards for a touchdown. It was the first punt return for a score by the Mountaineers since a Tavon Austin return in 2012.
North Carolina answered the punt return with a 76-yard drive in five plays that was capped by a 16-yard touchdown strike to J.J. Jones with 58 seconds left in the first half.
However, that was enough time for Greene to run the hurry-up offense to perfection, completing three passes to Hudson Clement for 61 of the 63 total yards in the drive. Those completions set up a 30-yard field goal by kicker Michael Hayes as time expired for a 1710 West Virginia lead at the break.
Second-half action belonged to West Virginia as the Mountaineer defense
blanked the Tar Heels, while the WVU offense kept its foot on the gas.
A one-handed interception by WVU’s Tyrin Bradley ended North Carolina’s opening drive of the third quarter. The Mountaineers added a second Hayes field goal at the 2:40 mark to take a 20-10 advantage into the fourth.
West Virginia’s first drive of the fourth quarter provided beathing room. Greene broke loose for a 48-yard run, before connecting with tight end Kole Taylor for 24 yards. Those two plays set up Jahiem White’s 11-yard touchdown run as the Mountaineers covered 78 yards in just three plays to take a 27-10 lead with 12:43 left in the game.
After stopping the Tar Heels on four downs, WVU closed the game’s scoring on its next possession as Hayes added his third field goal, this one from 29 yards, for a 30-10 advantage.
Greene turned in a solid performance on his way to game MVP honors. The junior rushed for 64 yards and passed for 228 to lead the team. Ray and Clement contributed 91 and 89 yards receiving, while linebacker Lee Kpogba topped all tacklers with 12 stops.
UNC got 199 yards passing from quarterback Conner Harrell. Omarion Hampton and British Brooks combined for 122 yards rushing, and Power Echols led the defense with 11 tackles.
Final numbers showed West Virginia with 164 yards rushing and 228 passing to total 392 yards of offense. Numbers for UNC stood at 140 on the ground and 199 through the air for 339 total yards.
The game marked West Virginia’s first bowl win since the 2020 season, and the Mountaineers stand at 17-23 all-time in bowl games. Head coach Neal Brown improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in WVU bowl games. West Virginia improved to 2-1 all-time against North Carolina with all three contests coming in bowl games.
TRAYLON RAY
SCORE BY QUARTERS
(parentheses)
INDIVIDUAL SCORING
West Virginia Individual Game Highs
Rushes 22
CJ Donaldson Jr. at TCU (Sept. 30, 2023)
Yards Rushing 204 Jahiem White vs. Cincinnati (Nov. 18, 2023)
TD Rushes 3 Garrett Greene vs. Cincinnati (Nov. 18, 2023) Garrett Greene at UCF (Oct. 28, 2023)
Long Rush 53 Jahiem White at Baylor (Nov. 25, 2023)
Pass Attempts 38 Garrett Greene at Houston (Oct. 12, 2023)
Pass Completions 20 Garrett Greene at Houston (Oct. 12, 2023)
Yards Passing 391 Garrett Greene at Houston (Oct. 12, 2023)
TD Passes 4 Garrett Greene vs. Duquesne (Sept. 9, 2023)
Long Pass 75 Garrett Greene vs. North Carolina (Dec. 27, 2023)
Garrett Greene vs. Cincinnati (Nov. 18, 2023)
Receptions 6 Devin Carter at Penn State (Sept. 2, 2023)
Yards Receiving 177 Hudson Clement vs. Duquesne (Sept. 9, 2023)
TD Receptions 3 Hudson Clement vs. Duquesne (Sept. 9, 2023)
Long Reception 75 Traylon Ray vs. North Carolina (Dec. 27, 2023) Jahiem White vs. Cincinnati (Nov. 18, 2023)
Punts 6 Oliver Straw at Oklahoma (Nov. 11, 2023) Oliver Straw vs. Texas Tech (Sept. 23, 2023)
Punting Avg. 56.0 Oliver Straw vs. Cincinnati (Nov. 18, 2023)
Long Punt 61 Oliver Straw vs. North Carolina (Dec. 27, 2023)
Punts Inside 20 3 Oliver Straw vs. Oklahoma (Nov. 11, 2023) Oliver Straw at TCU (Sept. 30, 2023)
Long Punt Return 78 Beanie Bishop Jr. vs. North Carolina (Dec. 27, 2023)
Long Kickoff Return 33 Preston Fox at Oklahoma (Nov. 11, 2023)
Tackles 13 Lee Kpogba at Penn State (Sept. 2, 2023)
Sacks 1.5 Jalen Thornton vs. North Carolina (Dec. 27, 2023) Tomiwa Durojaiye vs. Duquesne (Sept. 9, 2023)
Tackles for Loss 2 Jared Bartlett vs. North Carolina (Dec. 27, 2023) Jalen Thornton at Oklahoma (Nov. 11, 2023) Ben Cutter vs. BYU (Nov. 4, 2023) Sean Martin at Houston (Oct. 12, 2023) Hershey McLaurin at TCU (Sept. 30, 2023)
2023 Beanie Bishop Jr., defensive back Walter Camp, Football Writers Association of America, Phil Steele, Bleacher Report, College Sports Report, Zach Frazier, offensive line Action Network
2020 Darius Stills, defensive tackle Associated Press, Sporting News, ESPN, Bleacher Report, USA Today Tykee Smith, safety Rivals, PFF College Tony Fields II, linebacker Reese’s Senior Bowl
2018 Will Grier, quarterback Senior CLASS Award
2017 David Sills V, wide receiver CBS Sports, Sporting News, SI.com
2016 Tyler Orlosky, offensive line Senior CLASS Award
2015 Nick Kwiatkoski, linebacker ProFootballFocus
2014 Mario Alford, kick returner Football Writers Association of America, Phil Steele Kevin White, wide receiver Sporting News, American Football Coaches’ Association, Scout, Athlon, Sports, CBS Sports,SB Nation, NFL Network, Sports on Earth
2012 Tavon Austin, all-purpose American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, CBSSports.com, FoxSports.com, Pro Football Weekly, Phil Steele, SI.com
Stedman Bailey, wide receiver Football Writers Association of America, CBSSports.com, Phil Steele, SI.com
2011 Tavon Austin, all-purpose CBSSports.com, Phil Steele
2010 Robert Sands, safety Sporting News
2008 Pat White, quarterback Playboy Pat McAfee, punter/kicker CBSSports.com
2007 Ryan Stanchek, offensive tackle Football Writers Association of America
Steve Slaton, running back Playboy
2006 Steve Slaton, running back Associated Press, Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News Dan Mozes, center Playboy, American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Walter Camp, Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News, Rivals.com
2004 Adam Jones, defensive back Collegefootballnews.com, Collegesportsreport.com
2003 Grant Wiley, linebacker Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, Southern Football Weekly, The Sporting News, CNNSI.com, CSTV, Collegefootballnews.com
1998 John Thornton, defensive tackle Sports Network
1996 Canute Curtis, linebacker American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Football News, Football Writers Association of America, College Sports, Scripps-Howard, American Football Quarterly
1995 Aaron Beasley, defensive back American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp, Football News, United Press International, College Sports
1994 Todd Sauerbrun, punter American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp, Associated Press, Football News, United Press International, Football Writers Association of America, College Sports, College-Pro Football Weekly
1993 Rich Braham, offensive tackle Kodak, United Press International
1992 Mike Compton, center Playboy, Kodak, Walter Camp, Football News, The Sporting News, Associated Press, United Press
International
1989 Major Harris, quarterback Kodak/AFCA, Playboy
1988 Rick Phillips, offensive tackle Scripps-Howard Bo Orlando, strong safety Newspaper Enterprise Associatio Chris Haering, linebacker Newspaper Enterprise Association
1985 Brian Jozwiak, offensive tackle Walter Camp, Associated Press, United Press International, Football News, Playboy
1984 Willie Drewrey, special teams The Sporting News
Rob Bennett, tight end Walter Camp
Paul Woodside, place-kicker
Playboy
1983 Paul Woodside, place-kicker
The Sporting News
1982 Darryl Talley, linebacker
Associated Press, United Press International, Sporting News, Kodak, Football News, WTBS, Football Writers Association of America, Newspaper Enterprise Association
1974 Danny Buggs, wide receiver
Time
1973 Danny Buggs, wide receiver
American Football Coaches’ Association (Kodak)
1970 Dale Farley, linebacker
The Sporting News
Jim Braxton, tight end
Associated Press
1969 Carl Crennel, middle guard
Playboy
1955 Sam Huff, tackle
NEA Service, Look, Jet, NBC TV Bruce Bosley, tackle Colliers, International News Service, United Press, Sporting News, New York News, Williamson Rating System, Hearst Newspapers, Paramount News, All America Board, Boston Record American, Gridiron Weekly, Players’ (Norman Sper)
1953 Bob Orders, center
NEA Service (Harry Wismer)
1952 Paul Bischoff, end
Paramount News
1924 Walter “Red” Mahan, guard
Midweek Pictorial, Metropolitan News
Fred Graham, end Referee Tom Thorp
1922 Russ Meredith, tackle
New York World
1919 Russ Bailey, center
Sioux City Tribune, Philadelphia Press
Ira Errett Rodgers, fullback Walter Camp, Frank G. Menke, The Knickerbocker, Chicago Tribune, Pittsburgh Post, Newark Sunday Call, St. Louis Star, New Haven Register, Troy (N.Y.) Record, Ohio State Journal, Philadelphia Press
1917 Ira Errett Rodgers, fullback
Newark Sunday Call
Russ Bailey, center Frank G. Menke, A.M. Weyland, Chicago Tribune, Pittsburgh Sun, Pittsburgh Press, New York Evening Journal
1916 Ira Errett Rodgers, fullback Frank Cavanaugh, New York Sun, Newark Sunday Call
Second Team All-Americans
2023 Beanie Bishop Jr., defensive back
American Football Coaches
Association, Associated Press, Sporting News, USA Today, FOX Sports
Zach Frazier, offensive line
Sporting News, USA Today, The Athletic, SI.com, FOX Sports, College Football Network
2021 Zach Frazier, offensive line
Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association
2020 Darius Stills, defensive tackle
Football Writers Association of America, Walter Camp, Phil Steele, The Athletic
Tykee Smith, safety
Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News
2019 Colton McKivitz, offensive tackle
Walter Camp
2018 Yodny Cajuste, offensive tackle
Football Writers Association of America, Phil Steele
David Long Jr., linebacker
Associated Press, Walter Camp, The Athletic, Athlon Sports, Phil Steele
David Sills V, wide receiver
American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp
2017 David Long Jr., linebacker
Pro Football Focus
David Sills V, wide receiver
Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, SB Nation, The All-American, Walter Camp
2016 Rasul Douglas, cornerback
Associated Press, CBSSports.com, Football Writers Association of America, Phil Steele, Pro Football Focus, USA Today, Walter Camp
Tyler Orlosky, offensive line
Associated Press, CBSSports.com, Football Writers Association of America, Phil Steele, SI.com, USA Today
2014 Josh Lambert, kicker
CBS Sports
Kevin White, wide receiver
Football Writers Association of America, Associated Press, USA Today, Walter Camp, Phil Steele, Fox Sports, SI.com, College Sports Madness
2012 Tavon Austin, wide receiver
Walter Camp, CBSSports.com, Phil Steele
Stedman Bailey, wide receiver
Walter Camp, Associated Press, FoxSports.com
2011 Tavon Austin, all-purpose
Yahoo! Sports
2010 Keith Tandy, cornerback SI.com
2008 Pat McAfee, punter
Walter Camp
Ryan Stanchek, offensive tackle
Walter Camp
2007 Ryan Stanchek, offensive tackle
Sporting News, Walter Camp
2005 Garin Justice, offensive tackle
The Sporting News
Dan Mozes, center
Associated Press
1995 Aaron Beasley, defensive back
Associated Press
1994 Aaron Beasley, defensive back
Football News, United Press
International, College Sports
1993 Rich Braham, offensive tackle
Associated Press
1989 Major Harris, quarterback
Associated Press, Football News
1988 Chris Parker, defensive tackle
Associated Press
Rick Phillips, offensive tackle
Associated Press, United Press International
Brian Smider, offensive tackle
Sporting News
1985 Brian Jozwiak, offensive tackle
Newspaper Enterprise Association
1984 Brian Jozwiak, offensive tackle
Associated Press
Fred Smalls, linebacker
Newspaper Enterprise Association
1983 Paul Woodside, place-kicker
United Press International
1982 Paul Woodside, place-kicker
United Press International
1981 Mark Raugh, tight end
United Press International
1973 Danny Buggs, wide receiver
Associated Press, United Press International, Football News
1969 Carl Crennel, middle guard Associated Press
1967 Carl Crennel, middle guard Associated Press
1966 Garrett Ford, halfback
Associated Press, United Press International
1963 Pete Goimarac, center Associated Press
1955 Bruce Bosley, tackle Associated Press
1953 Bruce Bosley, tackle International News Service
Gene “Beef” Lamone, guard
Associated Press
Bob Orders, center Central Press
1952 Ben Dunkerley, tackle Associated Press
1934 Tod Goodwin, end NEA Service
1925 Walter “Red” Mahan, guard NEA Service
1924 Walter “Red” Mahan, guard NEA Service
1923 Charles “Trusty” Tallman, end
Walter Camp
1922 Nick Nardacci, halfback
Chicago Tribune
Joe Setron, guard
Walter Camp
1919 Russ Bailey, center Walter Camp, Chicago Tribune
1917 Paul “Monk” Hager, end NEA Service
Frank Ice, tackle New York Sun
Third Team All-Americans
2023 Zach Frazier, offensive line
Associated Press, Phil Steele
2020 Tykee Smith, safety
Associated Press
2019 Colton McKivitz, offensive tackle
Associated Press
2018 David Sills V, wide receiver
Associated Press, Athlon Sports
2017 David Sills V, wide receiver
Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, Sports on Earth
2016 Rasul Douglas, cornerback
SB Nation
Tyler Orlosky, offensive line
Athlon Sports
2015 Karl Joseph, safety
CBS Sports
2014 Mario Alford, kickoff returner
College Sports Madness
Josh Lambert, kicker
SB Nation
2011 Tavon Austin, All-Purpose
Associated Press
2010 Chris Neild, nose tackle Rivals.com
Keith Tandy, cornerback Rivals.com
2009 Scott Kozlowski, punter
Phil Steele
2008 Pat McAfee, punter
Associated Press, Phil Steele
2007 Ryan Stanchek, offensive tackle
Associated Press
2003 Quincy Wilson, running back
Associated Press
2002 Avon Cobourne, running back
Associated Press
1998 Eric de Groh, center
Associated Press
1997 Amos Zereoue, running back
Sporting News
Henry Slay, defensive tackle
Associated Press
1993 Mike Collins, safety
Football News
1989 Reggie Rembert, wide receiver
Associated Press
1988 Chris Haering, linebacker
Associated Press
Major Harris, quarterback
Associated Press
John Stroia, offensive guard
Associated Press
1982 Paul Woodside, place-kicker
Associated Press
1981 Mark Raugh, tight end
Associated Press
Darryl Talley, linebacker
Associated Press
1972 Gerald Schultze, center
Associated Press
1971 B.C. Williams, guard
Associated Press
1968 Carl Crennel, middle guard
Associated Press
1962 Jerry Yost, quarterback
Associated Press
1957 Chuck Howley, guard
Williamson Rating System
1955 Sam Huff, tackle
United Press International
1954 Gene “Beef” Lamone, guard
Associated Press, NEA Service, Chicago Tribune, Williamson Rating System
1953 Tommy Allman, fullback
NEA Service
Bob Orders, center
United Press International, Football Digest
1935 Joe Stydahar, tackle
NEA Service
1925 Walter “Red” Mahan, guard
Associated Press, International News Service, All-America Board, Chicago Tribune, A.M. Weyland
1924 Walter “Red” Mahan, guard
Walter Camp
1923 Charles “Trusty” Tallman, end
Athletic World
1919 Joe Harrick, tackle
Chicago Tribune
1917 Ira Errett Rodgers, fullback A.M. Weyland
Fourth Team All-Americans
2018 Yodny Cajuste, offensive Line
Athlon Sports
2017 Will Grier, quarterback
Athlon Sports
2016 Tyler Orlosky, offensive Line
SB Nation
2014 Josh Lambert, kicker
Phil Steele, Athlon Sports
2011 Don Barclay, offensive line
Phil Steele
Bruce Irvin, defensive line
Phil Steele
2010 Chris Neild, defensive line
Phil Steele
National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete
2024 Zach Frazier, center
2021 Sean Mahone, safety
2009 Reed Williams, linebacker
2006 Jay Henry, linebacker
2004 Jeff Berk, offensive tackle
1998 Eric de Groh, center
1983 Jeff Hostetler, quarterback
1981 Oliver Luck, quarterback
Anson Mount Scholar-Athlete Award Selected by Playboy
2006 Jay Henry, linebacker
1998 Eric de Groh, center
CSC Academic All-America
FIRST TEAM
2024 Zach Frazier, offensive line
2007 Reed Williams, linebacker
2006 Jay Henry, linebacker
2005 Jay Henry, linebacker
1998 Eric de Groh, center
1994 Matt Taffoni, linebacker
1992 Mike Compton, center
1983 Jeff Hostetler, quarterback
1981 Oliver Luck, quarterback
1980 Oliver Luck, quarterback
1970 Kim West, kicker
1955 Sam Huff, tackle
1954 Fred Wyant, quarterback
1952 Paul Bischoff, end
SECOND TEAM
2022 Casey Legg, kicker
2021 Sean Mahone, safety
2009 Reed Williams, linebacker
2008 Doug Slavonic, defensive lineman
2006 Dan Mozes, center
2004 Jeff Berk, guard
1997 Eric de Groh, center
1996 Eric de Groh, center
1993 Dave Mayfield, defensive back
1988 John Stroia, offensive guard
1972 John Harcharic, safety
1970 Dan Hannahs, linebacker
1958 Terry Fairbanks, end
1956 Joe Kopnisky, end
1955 Fred Wyant, quarterback
1953 Bruce Bosley, tackle
THIRD TEAM
1953 Fred Wyant, quarterback
CFA Scholar-Athlete Team
1994 Matt Taffoni, linebacker
1993 David Mayfield, safety
Matt Taffoni, linebacker
1992 Mike Compton, center
1991 Alex Shook, tight end
CFA Good Works Team
2020 Neal Brown, honorary head coach
2008 Tito Gonzales, wide receiver
1995 Eric de Groh, center
1994 David Mayfield, defensive back
1993 Mike Booth, defensive end
TOP PERFORMANCES
TOP PLAYS
TOUCHDOWN RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE
Pat Randolph vs. Northern Illinois/1986 96
Noel Devine vs. Syracuse/2008 92
Robert Walker at Syracuse/1993 90
Eddie Dugan vs. Waynesburg/1952 90
Lynn Osborne at Pittsburgh Athletic Club/1896 90
Noel Devine vs. Pitt/2009 88
Leddie Brown vs. Kansas/2020 87
Arthur Owens at Virginia Tech/1974 85
Robert Moss at Marquette/1955 84
Kerry Marbury vs. Temple/1971 83
San Pinion vs. West Virginia Wesleyan/1938 83
Harry Marker vs. Georgetown/1932 83
NON-TOUCHDOWN RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE
Tevin Bush vs. Baylor/2018 79
Noel Devine at Louisville/2008 79
Noel Devine at Maryland/2007 76
Jim Moss vs. William & Mary/1962 76
Major Harris at Boston College/1989 75
Arthur Owens vs. Kentucky/1974 74
Joe Wilkerson vs. West Virginia Wesleyan/1912 74
Ted Anderson vs. Virginia Military/1953 71
Tavon Austin vs. Marshall/2012 70
Noel Devine vs. Florida State/2010 70
Mike Sherwood vs. Pitt/1969 70
TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION/YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE
Danny Buggs from Ben Williams at Penn State/1973 96
Travis Garvin from Rasheed Marshall vs. Virginia Tech/2003 93
Thomas Yeater from Jerry Yost vs Oregon State/1962 92
Chris Potts from Bernie Galiffa at Duke/1971 89
Stedman Bailey from Geno Smith vs. Baylor/2012 87
Stedman Bailey from Geno Smith vs. Connecticut/2011 84
George Campbell from Austin Kendall at Baylor/2019 83
Chris Henry from Rasheed Marshall vs. Rutgers/2003 83
Jay Kearney from Jake Kelchner vs. Missouri/1993 83
Harry Sweeney from Fred Wyant vs. Fordham/1954 83
NON-TOUCHDOWN RECEPTION/YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE
Kay-Jay Harris from Rasheed Marshall at Miami/2003 84
Stedman Bailey from Geno Smith at Oklahoma State/2012 75
Tavon Austin from Geno Smith vs. LSU/2011 72
Chris Henry from Rasheed Marshall at Rutgers/2004 69
James Jett from Greg Jones vs. Boston College/1990
Shawn Foreman from Marc Bulger at Rutgers/1996
Eddie Silverio from Mike Sherwood at Pitt/1968
Khori Ivy from Brad Lewis vs. Boston College/2000
Ka’Raun White from Will Grier vs. Iowa State/2017 63
Shelton Gibson from Skyler Howard vs. Oklahoma/2016 61
FIELD GOAL
Josh Lambert at Texas Tech/2014 55
Paul Woodside vs. Louisville/1984 55
Josh Lambert vs. Baylor/2014 54
Josh Lambert vs. Oklahoma/2014 54
Brad Cooper at UCF/2004
Josh Lambert vs. Kansas/2014
Woodside vs. Syracuse/1984
Bitancurt vs. TCU/2012
McAfee vs. Cincinnati/2008
McAfee vs. Villanova/2008
Jay Taylor vs. Pitt/1997
Casey Legg at Kansas State/2019
Ohliger vs. Syracuse/2000
Woodside vs. Pacific/1983
Kenna vs. Grove City/1901
LONGEST PUNT
at Syracuse/1961
Orlando vs. East Carolina/1987
Green vs. Rutgers/1997 *
Mayfield vs. Rutgers/1993
PUNT RETURN
Victor Rabbits vs. Virginia Military/1955
Buggs vs. Tulane/1972
Walker vs. Boston College/1977
Mallory vs. The Citadel/1966
Mallory vs. George Washington/1965
Walker vs. Virginia Tech/1979
Mallory at William & Mary/1967
Nardacci vs. Allegheny/1923
TOP GAMES
Geno
Alford vs. Alabama/2014
Austin vs. Kansas State/2012
SKYLER HOWARD
Amos Zereoue at Notre Dame (234), vs. Pitt (151)/1997 385
Avon Cobourne at ECU (260), vs. Maryland (123)/2006 383
Amos Zereoue vs. Marshall (174), vs. East Carolina (199)/1997 373
Dustin Garrison vs. Bowling Green (291), vs. UConn (80)/2011 371
Amos Zereoue at Rutgers (228), vs. Boston College (143)/1998 371
RUSHING YARDS -- THREE CONSECUTIVE GAMES
Avon Cobourne at Cincinnati (193), vs. East Carolina (260) vs. Maryland (123)/2002 576
Justin Crawford vs. Oklahoma (331), at Iowa State (29), vs. Baylor (209)/2016 569
Amos Zereoue at Virginia Tech (148), Syracuse (189), at Rutgers (228)/1998 565
Amos Zereoue vs. Syracuse (189), at Rutgers (228), vs. Boston College (143)/1998 560
Avon Cobourne at Wisconsin (79), at Cincinnati (193), vs. East Carolina (260)/2002 532
Robert Walker vs. Louisville (161), vs. Pitt (163), at Syracuse (198)/1993 522
Kerry Marbury at William & Mary (144), vs. East Carolina (75), vs. Temple (291)/1971 521
Avon Cobourne vs. East Carolina (260), vs. Maryland (123), at Rutgers (133)/2002 516
Steve Slaton vs. Georgia (2004), vs. Marshall (203), vs. Eastern Washington (105)/2006 512
Pat White vs. Cincinnati (111), Pitt (220), vs. South Florida (177)/2005 508
RUSHING ATTEMPTS CARRIES
George Allen at Georgetown/1933 45
George Allen vs. West Virginia Wesleyan/1933 42
Amos Zereoue vs. Pitt/1997 41
Quincy Wilson vs. Rutgers/2003 40
Amos Zereoue at Rutgers/1998 35
Avon Cobourne vs. Kent State/2001 35
Avon Cobourne vs. Ohio/2001 35
Undra Johnson vs. Temple/1985 35
Edward Williams vs. South Carolina/1969 35
Quincy Wilson vs. Pitt/2003 34
YARDS PER CARRY CARRIES/YARDS/AVG
Armin Mahrt vs. Marietta/1922 10/200/20.0
Eddie Williams vs. Pitt/1969 11/199/18.1
Pat White vs. Syracuse/2006 15/247/16.5
Tavon Austin vs. Oklahoma/2012 21/344/16.4
Pat White vs. USF/2005 11/177/16.1
Quincy WIlson vs. East Carolina/2002 14/198/14.1
Garrett Green vs. Cincinnati/2023 11/154/14.0
Justin Crawford vs. Oklahoma/2016 24/331/13.8
Artie Owens vs. Virginia/1973 10/136/13.6
Kay-Jay Harris vs. East Carolina/2004 25/337/13.8
minimum 10 carries
PASSING YARDS
Geno Smith vs. Baylor/2012 656
Will Grier vs. Oklahoma/2018 539
Skyler Howard vs. Arizona State/2016 532
Clint Trickett at Maryland/2014 511
Geno Smith vs. LSU/2011 463
Geno Smith vs. Connecticut/2011 450
Will Grier vs. Tennessee/2018 429
Marc Bulger vs. Missouri/1998 429
Mike Sherwood at Pitt/1968 416
Geno Smith vs. James Madison/2012 411
Stedman Bailey vs. Baylor/2012
Gary Jennings Jr. vs. Oklahoma/2018 7/225
Stedman Bailey at Oklahoma State/2012 14/225
Sam James vs. Texas Tech/2019 14/223
Kevin White at Maryland/2014 13/216
Mario Alford vs. Iowa State/2013 8/215
Tavon Austin vs. Baylor/2012 14/215
Stedman Bailey vs.
Kevin White at Texas/2014 16/132
Sam
Steve Superick at Temple/1982 10
Curt Carion vs. Penn State/1980 10
Thad Kucherawy vs. Virginia Military/1967 10
32 players with 9 the latest is Oliver Straw at Iowa State/2022
HIGHEST PUNT AVERAGE (MIN. 3 ATT.)
Todd Sauerbrun vs. Nebraska/1994 60.1
Pat McAfee vs. Oklahoma/2008 58.5
Corey Smith vs. Pitt/2011 57.2
Ralph Anastasio vs. Virginia/1957 57.0
Nick O’Toole vs. Iowa State/2013 56.0
Greg Hertzog vs. Kent/1990 53.7
Nick O’Toole at Kansas/2015 53.0
Greg Hertzog at Virginia Tech/1990 53.0
Pat McAfee vs. Connecticut/2007 52.7
Pat McAfee vs. Rutgers/2006 52.7
Todd Sauerbrun vs. Eastern Michigan/1993 52.2
TOP SEASONS
TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS/YARDS
Geno Smith/2012 584/4,356
Geno Smith/2011 582/4,352
Skyler Howard/2016 546/3,791
Will Grier/2018 445/3,774
Skyler Howard/2015 560/3,647
Will Grier/2017 451/3,612
Marc Bulger/1998 452/3,515
Clint Trickett/2014 461/3,179
Garrett Greene/2023 397/3,178
Pat White/2007 413/3,059
RUSHING YARDS CARRIES/YARDS
Steve Slaton/2006 248/1,744
Avon Cobourne/2002 335/1,710
Amos Zereoue/1997 281/1,589
Wendell Smallwood/2015 238/1,519
Noel Devine/2009 241/1,465
Amos Zereoue/1998 283/1,462
Quincy Wilson/2003 282/1,380
Pat White/2007 197/1,335
Avon Cobourne/2001 267/1,298
Robert Walker/1993 214/1,250
QUARTERBACK RUSHING YARDS CARRIES/YARDS
Pat White/2007 197/1,335
Pat White/2006 165/1,219
Pat White/2008 191/974
Pat White/2005 131/952
Major Harris/1989 155/936
Rasheed Marshall/2004 169/861
Garrett Greene/2023 120/772
Rasheed Marshall/2002 173/666
Major Harris/1987 143/615
Major Harris/1988 134/610
FULLBACK RUSHING YARDS CARRIES/YARDS
Jim Braxton/1969 199/843
Walter Easley/1980 189/833
Dick Leftridge/1965 144/774
Pete Wood/1971 145/724
Pete Wood/1970 131/713
Ron Lee/1975 155/623
Larry Krutko/1956 124/584
Ron Lee/1974 115/543
Dick Leftridge/1964 125/534
Walter Easley/1976 124/493
YARDS PER CARRY CARRIES/YARDS/AVG
Jahiem White/2023 109/842/7.7
Pat White/2006 165/1,219/7.4
Pat White/2005 131/952/7.3
Justin Crawford/2016 162/1,196/7.3
Steve Slaton/2006 205/1,128/7.0
Pat White/2007 197/1,335/6.8
Artie Owens/1975 159/1,055/6.6
Artie Owens/1974 174/1,130/6.5
RUSHING ATTEMPTS
RECEIVING YARDS CATCHES/YARDS
Stedman Bailey/2012 114/1,622
Kevin White/2014 109/1,447
Tavon Austin/2012 114/1,289
Stedman Bailey/2011 72/1,279
Tavon Austin/2011 101/1,186
Gary Jennings Jr./2017 97/1,096
David Saunders/1996 76/1,043
Chris Henry/2003 41/1,006
Ka’Raun White/2017 61/1,004
TIGHT
Lovett Purnell/1995
Mark Raugh/1981 64/601
Nate
TAVON AUSTIN
PASSING YARDS COMP/ATT/YARDS
Geno Smith/2011 346/526/4,385
Geno Smith/2012 369/518/4,205
Will Grier/2018 266/397/3,864
Marc Bulger/1998 274/419/3,607
Will Grier/2017 250/388/3,490
Skyler Howard/2016 247/404/3,328
Clint Trickett/2014 281/419/3,285
Skyler Howard/2015 221/403/3,145
Jarret Doege/2021 272/417/3,048
Geno Smith/2010 241/372/2,763
PASS COMPLETIONS
Geno Smith/2012
PASS
Geno
Tavon Austin/2011 182/1,186/268/938/2,574
Steve Slaton/2006 1,744/306/0/0/2,104
Avon Cobourne/2002 1,710/146/0/0/1,856
Amos Zereoue/1998 1,462/184/0/168/1,814
Stedman Bailey/2012 13/1,622/0/146/1,781
Noel Devine/2009 1,465/177/0/100/1,742
Amos Zereoue/1997 1,589/131/0/0/1,720
Mario Alford/2014 14/945/-11/743/1,691
Wendell Smallwood/2015 1,519/160/0/0/1,679
MOST PUNTS
Steve Superick/1985
Sauerbrun/1994
O’Toole/2015
Kinney/2017
Superick/1984
Growden/2019
Gregg Pugnetti/2010
Thad Kucherawy/1969
HIGHEST PUNT AVERAGE (MIN. 30 PUNTS)
Todd Sauerbrun/1994
O’Toole/2015
McAfee/2008
Sauerbrun/1993
PUNT RETURN YARDAGE
Vaughn Rivers/2007
Baker/1993
Walker/1980
Adam Jones/2004
Willie Drewrey/1982
PUNT RETURN AVERAGE (MIN. 11 ATT.) Lance Frazier/2003
Fewest Opponent Rushes: 12 by Washington & Lee, 1923; by West Virginia Wesleyan, 1922; by Maryland, 1919
Fewest Opponent Yards: -30 by Florida, 1981
SINGLE GAME PASSING
Most Completions: 45 vs. Baylor, 2012
Most Attempts: 65 vs. LSU, 2011
Most Interceptions: 6 vs. Ohio State, 1987; vs. Colorado State, 1978; vs. Richmond, 1973; vs. Maryland, 1950; vs. Washington & Lee, 1950; vs. Ohio, 1949
Most Yards Gained: 656 vs. Baylor, 2012
Most Touchdowns: 8 vs. Baylor, 2012
Most Interception Return Yards: 175 vs. Louisiana Tech, 1994
Fewest Completions: 0 vs. Temple, 1946; vs. Washington & Lee, 1946
Fewest Attempts: 1 vs. Washington & Lee, 1946
Fewest Opponent Pass Attempts: 0 by Maryland, 1919
Fewest Opponent Pass Completions: 0 by Pitt, 1981; by Maryland, 1919
Lowest Opponent Completion Percentage: 0% by Pitt, 1981; by Maryland, 1919
Fewest Opponent Yards Allowed: 0 vs. Pitt, 1981; Maryland, 1919
SINGLE GAME PUNTING
Most Punts: 13 vs. Penn State, 1973
Highest Average: 60.1 (9-541) vs. Nebraska, 1994
SINGLE GAME PUNT RETURNS
Most Returns: 10 vs. Richmond, 1965; Eastern Michigan, 1993
Most Yards Gained: 201 vs. The Citadel, 1965
Most Touchdowns: 1 vs. many; most recently vs. North Carolina, 2023
SINGLE GAME KICKOFF RETURNS
Most Returns: 9 vs. Oklahoma, 2012; vs. Penn State, 1965; vs. Maryland, 1951
Most Yards Gained: 235 vs. Oklahoma, 2012
Most Touchdowns: 1 numerous times; most recent 215 at Baylor
SINGLE GAME SCORING
Most Points: 92 vs. Marshall, 1915
Greatest Margin of Victory: 89 vs. Geneva, 1951
Greatest Margin of Defeat: 130 vs. Michigan, 1904
Most Touchdowns: 14 vs. Marshall, 1916
Most Extra Points Made: 11 vs. Rutgers, 2001; vs. Geneva, 1951
Most Field Goals Made: 6 vs. Villanova, 1972
Most Points in a Loss: 49 vs. Oklahoma, 2012
SINGLE GAME FIRST DOWNS
Most: 37 vs. Maryland, 2015
Most Rushing: 33 vs. Washington & Lee, 1923
Most Passing: 24 vs. Missouri, 1998
Most By Penalty: 10 vs. Baylor, 2014
Fewest by Opponent: 0 by Maryland, 1919
Fewest Rushing by Opponent: 0 by Kansas State, 2014; by Western Michigan, 1996; by Maryland, 1919
Fewest Passing by Opponent: 0 by Maryland, 1919
SINGLE GAME FUMBLES
Most: 11 vs. Penn State, 1989
Most Lost: 6 vs. Virginia, 1954; vs. VMI, 1969
Most Caused: 11 vs. William & Mary, 1955
Most Recovered: 7 vs. Virginia, 1949
SINGLE GAME TURNOVERS
Most Forced: 10 vs. Geneva, 1951
SINGLE GAME PENALTIES
Most: 17 vs. Drexel, 1945
Most Yards Penalized: 170 vs. Drexel, 1945; vs. Colorado State, 1978
Most Two Teams: 32 vs. Baylor, 2014
Most Yards/Two Teams: 353 vs. Baylor, 2014
SEASON TOTAL OFFENSE
Most Yards: 6,526 in 2012
Most Yards per Game: 512.2 in 2018
Highest Average per Play: 7.3 in 2006
Most Touchdowns: 69 in 2012
Fewest Opponent Yards: 934 in 1923
Fewest Opponent Yards per Game: 103.8 in 1923
Lowest Opponent Average per Play: 3.0 in 1923
Fewest Opponent Touchdowns: 2 in 1925
SEASON RUSHING
Most Yards: 3,939 in 2006
Most Yards per Game: 303.0 in 2006
Highest Average per Play: 6.7 in 2006
Most Touchdowns: 49 in 2007
Fewest Opponent Yards: 508 in 1925
Fewest Opponent Yards per Game: 56.4 in 1925
Lowest Opponent Average per Play: 1.9 in 1925
Fewest Opponent Touchdowns: 1 in 1925
SEASON PASSING
Most Attempts: 537 in 2012
Most Completions: 378 in 2012
Most Yards: 4,509 in 2011
Most Yards per Game: 351.3 in 2018
Highest Completion Percentage: 70.4% in 2012
Most Touchdowns: 44 in 2012
Most Interceptions: 27 in 1973
Fewest Opponent Yards: 300 in 1923
Fewest Opponent Yards Per Game: 33.3 in 1923
Lowest Opponent Completion Percentage: 34.5 in 1953
Fewest Opponent Touchdowns: 0 in 1925
Most Opponent Interceptions: 24 in 1988; 1972
Most Opponent Yards on Interceptions: 347 in 1993
Most Opponent Touchdowns on Interceptions: 5 in 1922
SEASON PUNTING
Most Punts: 84 in 1996
Fewest Punts: 34 in 1955
Highest Average per Punt: 47.1 in 1994
Most Blocked: 8 in 1934
Returned for TD: 4 in 1934
SEASON PUNT RETURNS
Most Returns: 46 in 1993
Fewest Returns: 12 in 2022
Most Yards: 584 in 1965
Most Touchdowns: 4 in 1934
SEASON KICKOFF RETURNS
Most Returns: 57 in 2012; 2011
Fewest Returns: 21 in 2018
Most Yards: 1,349 in 2011
Most Touchdowns: 3 in 2000
SEASON SCORING
Most Points: 515 in 2007
Most Points per Game: 41.1 in 1988
Most Touchdowns: 69 in 2012
Most Extra Points Made: 66 in 2007
Most Field Goals Made: 30 in 2014; 1982
Fewest Points: 14 in 1896
Fewest Opponent Points (6 games): 10 in 1895
Fewest Opponent Points (7 games): 23 in 1898
Fewest Opponent Points (8 games): 20 in 1915
Fewest Opponent Points (9 games): 18 in 1925
Fewest Opponent Points (10 games): 38 in 1907; 1928
Fewest Opponent Points (11 games): 34 in 1922
Fewest Opponent Points (12 games): 101 in 1896
Fewest Opponent Points (13 games): 176 in 2010
Fewest Opponent Points Per Game: 1.7 in 1895
Most Opponent Points: 495 in 2012
Most Opponent Shutouts: 8 in 1922
SEASON FIRST DOWNS
Most: 337 in 2014
Most Rushing: 178 in 2002
Most Passing: 188 in 2012
Most by Penalty: 37 in 2022, 2014
Fewest Allowed: 51 in 1925
Fewest Rushing Allowed: 26 in 1925
Fewest Passing Allowed: 14 in 1923
Fewest by Penalty Allowed: 2 in 1954
SEASON FUMBLES
Most: 44 in 1955
Most Lost: 27 in 1955
Most Caused: 42 in 1973; 1959
Most Recovered: 24 in 1977; 1958
Fewest: 10 in 2019
Fewest Lost: 5 in 2019; 1996
TEAM STREAKS
Victories: 13 from 1952-53
Defeats: 8 from 1959-60
Home Victories: 14 from 1924-26
Home Defeats: 5 in 1986
Away Victories: 9 from 1952-53
Away Defeats: 10 from 1959-60
Shutouts: 7 from 1904-05
Shutouts by Opponents: 5 from 1896-97
Consecutive games without being shut out: 150, 2001-13
Consecutive games without a defensive shutout: 70, 1987-93
Winning Seasons: 12 from 1914-26
Losing Seasons: 4 from 1958-61; 1976-79
Conference Victories: 30 from 1952-59
Conference Championships: 4 from 1953-56
Games Blocked Punt Avoided: 31 from 1974-77
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
INCLUDES BOWL GAMES
Games Played
Games Played: 59 by Dante Stills, 2018-22
Games Started: 51 by Dravon Askew-Henry, 2014-15, 17-18
Total Offense
Most Yards Gained-Game: 687 by Geno Smith vs. Baylor, 2012
Most Yards Gained-Season: 4,356 by Geno Smith, 2012
Most Yards Gained-Career: 12,004 by Geno Smith, 2009-12
Most Plays
Game: 67 by Geno Smith vs. LSU, 2011 Season: 584 by Geno Smith, 2012 Career: 1,710 by Geno Smith, 2009-12
Most Touchdowns
Responsible For
Game: 9 by Allen McCune vs. Pitt, 1965 Season: 44 by Geno Smith, 2012 Career (3 seasons): 76 by Skyler Howard, 2014-16 Career (4 seasons): 103 by Pat White, 2005-08
Rushing
Longest Touchdown Run: 96 by Pat Randolph vs Northern Illinois, 1986
Longest Non-Touchdown Run: 79 by Tevin Bush vs. Baylor, 2018; by Noel Devine at Louisville, 2008
Yards Gained In Quarter: 168 by Kay-Jay Harris vs. East Carolina (2nd), 2004
Yards Gained In Half: 264 by Tavon Austin (2nd) vs. Oklahoma, 2012
Game: 344 by Tavon Austin vs. Oklahoma, 2012
Season: 1,744 by Steve Slaton, 2006
Career: 5,164 by Avon Cobourne, 1999-2002
Most Consecutive 100-Yard Games: 6 by Steve Slaton, 10/7 - 11/16/06; by Avon Cobourne, 9/14 - 10/26/03; by Amos Zereoue, 10/2411/27-98; by Robert Walker, 10/9 - 11/20/93
Most 100-Yard Games-Season: 10 by Avon Cobourne, 2002; Steve Slaton, 2006
Most 100-Yard Games-Career: 28 by Avon Cobourne, 1999-2002
Most Carries-Game: 45 by George Allen vs. Georgetown, 1933
Most Carries-Season: 335 by Avon Cobourne, 2002
Most Carries-Career: 1,023 by Avon Cobourne, 1999-2002
Highest Average Per Carry-Game (min. 10 att.): 18.9 (11-199) by Eddie Williams vs Pitt, 1969
Highest Average Per Carry-Season (min. 100 att.): 8.2 by Bob Moss, 1955
Highest Average Per Carry-Career (min. 200 att.): 7.8 by Bob Moss, 1952-55
Most Touchdowns-Game: 5 by by Steve Slaton vs. Louisville (3 overtimes), 2005 by George Allen vs. Marquette, 1932; b Ira Errett Rodgers vs. Marietta, 1919; Ohio Wesleyan, 1919
Most Touchdowns-Season: 19 by Ira Errett Rodgers, 1919
Most Touchdowns-Career: 50 by Steve Slaton, 2005-07
Passing
Longest Touchdown Pass: 96 by Ben Williams to Danny Buggs vs. Penn State, 1973
Longest Non-Touchdown Pass: 84 by Rasheed Marshall to Kay-Jay Harris vs. Miami, 2003
Most Yards-Game: 656 by Geno Smith vs. Baylor, 2012
Most Yards-Season: 4,385 by Geno Smith, 2011
Most Yards-Career: 11,662 by Geno Smith, 2009-12
Most 300-Yard Games-Consecutive: 8 by Clint Trickett, 2013-14
Most 300-Yard Games-Season: 10 by Will Grier, 2018
Most 300-Yard Games-Career: 19 by Will Grier, 2017-18
Most Completions-Consecutive: 21 by Geno Smith vs. Kansas, 2012
Most Completions-Game: 45 by Geno Smith vs. Baylor, 2012
Most Completions-Season: 369 by Geno Smith, 2012
Most Completions-Career: 988 by Geno Smith, 2009-12
Most Attempts-Game: 65 by Geno Smith vs. LSU, 2011
Most Attempts-Season: 536 by Geno Smith, 2011
Most Attempts-Career: 1,465 by Geno Smith, 2009-12
Most Touchdowns Passes-Game: 8 by Geno Smith vs. Baylor, 2012
Most Touchdown Passes-Season: 42 by Geno Smith, 2012
Most Touchdown Passes-Career: 98 by Geno Smith, 2009-12
Highest Completion Percentage-Game (min. 10 att.): .958 (23-24) by Geno Smith vs. Kansas, 2012
Most Interceptions Thrown-Game: 6 by Dutch Hoffman vs. Colorado State, 1978
Most Interceptions Thrown-Season: 21 by Dutch Hoffman, 1978
Most Interceptions Thrown-Career: 47 by Dan Kendra, 1974-77
Receiving
Most Yards Gained-Game: 303 by Stedman Bailey vs. Baylor, 2012
Most Yards Gaine-Season: 1,622 by Stedman Bailey, 2012
Most Yards Gained-Career: 3,413 by Tavon Austin, 2009-12
Most 100-Yard Games-Consecutive: 7 by Kevin White, 2014
Most 100-Yard Games-Season: 9 by Kevin White, 2014
Most 100-Yard Games-Career: 14 by Stedman Bailey, 2010-12
Most Receptions-Game: 16 by Kevin White at Texas, 2014
Most Receptions-Season: 114 by Tavon Austin, 2012; by Stedman Bailey, 2012
Most Receptions-Career: 288 by Tavon Austin, 2009-12
Most Touchdown Receptions-Game: 5 by Stedman Bailey vs. Baylor, 2012
Most Touchdown Receptions-Season: 25 by Stedman Bailey, 2012
Most Tochdown Receptions-Career: 41 by Stedman Bailey, 2010-12
Punting
Most Yardage-Single Punt: 90 by Todd Sauerbrun vs. Nebraska, 1994
Most Yardage-Game: 541 by Todd Sauerbrun vs. Nebraska, 1994
Most Yardage-Season: 3,594 by Todd Sauerbrun, 1994
Most Yardage-Career: 10,934 by Steve Superick, 1982-85
Most Punts-Game: 12 by Chuck Brooks vs. Penn State, 1973; by Thad Kucherawy vs. Kentucky, 1969
Most Punts-Season: 76 by Steve Superick, 1985
Most Punts-Career: 263 by Steve Superick, 1982-85
Highest Average-Game (min. 5 att.): 60.1 by Todd Sauerbrun vs. Nebraska, 1994
DANTE STILLS
Highest Average-Season (min. 30 att.): 48.6 by Todd Sauerbrun, 1994
Highest Average-Career (min. 70 att.): 46.2 by Todd Sauerbrun, 1991-94
Most Punts Blocked by WVU-Game: 3 by Joe Harrick vs. Maryland, 1919
Most Punts Blocked by WVU-Season: 7 by Joe Stydahar, 1934
Punt Returns
Most Return Yards-Single Return: 99 by Victor “Jack” Rabbits vs. Virginia Military, 1955
Most Return Yards-Game: 168 by Nate Terry vs. Rutgers, 1997
Most Return Yards-Season: 453 by John Mallory, 1967
Most Return Yards-Career: 1,109 by Willie Drewrey,1981-84
Most Returns-Game: 7 by by Rahsaan Vanterpool vs. Virginia Tech, 1994; by Grantis Bell vs. Rutgers, 1987; by Willie Drewrey vs. Pitt, 1984
Most Returns-Season: 44 by Mike Baker, 1993
Most Returns-Career: 108 by Willie Drewrey, 1981-84
Most Touchdown Returns-Game: 1 by many; most recent by Beanie Bishop Jr. vs. UNC, Duke’s Mayo Bowl, 2023
Most Touchdown Returns-Season: 3 by John Mallory, 1967
Most Touchdown Returns-Career: 7 by John Mallory, 1965-67
Highest Average-Season (min. 11 att.): 20.8 by Lance Frazier, 2003
Highest Average-Career (min. 25 att.): 14.9 by John Mallory, 1965-67
Kickoff Returns
Most Return Yardage-Single Return: 100 by Shelton Gibson at Baylor, 2015; by Mario Alford vs. Alabama, 2014; by Tavon Austin vs. Kansas State, 2012; vs. Marshall, 2011; by Shawn Terry at Maryland, 2001; by Shawn Terry vs. Syracuse, 2000; by Nate Terry vs. Temple, 1997; by Nate Terry vs. East Carolina, 1997; by Kerry Marbury vs. Penn State, 1972
Most Return Yardage-Game: 217 by Winston Wright Jr. at Maryland, 2021
Most Return Yardage-Season: 938 by Tavon Austin, 2011
Most Return Yardage-Career: 2,407 by Tavon Austin, 2009-12
Most Returns-Game: 8 by Tavon Austin vs. Oklahoma; by Darren Fulton vs. Pitt, 1986
Most Returns-Season: 39 by Darren Fulton, 1986
Most Returns-Career: 97 by Tavon Austin, 2009-12 Game: 1 by many players; most recent by Winston Wright Jr. at Baylor, 2019
Most Touchdown Returns-Season: 3 by Shawn Terry 2000
Most Touchdown Returns-Career: 4 by Tavon Austin, 2009-12; by Shawn Terry, 1999-2001
Highest Average-Season (min. 11 att.): 28.8 by Shawn Terry, 2000
Highest Average-Career (min. 25 att.): 27.7 by Shawn Terry, 1999-2001
Scoring
Most Points-Game: 37 by Ira Errett Rodgers vs. Marietta, 1919
Most Points-Season: 150 by Stedman Bailey, 2012
Most Points-Career: 384 by Pat McAfee, 2005-08
Most Touchdowns-Quarter: 3 by Stedman Bailey vs. Oklahoma (4th), 2012; vs. Baylor (2nd), 2012; by Jock Sanders at Connecticut (3rd), 2008; by Pat White vs. Syracuse (3rd), 2006; by George Allen vs. Marquette (4th), 1932
Most Touchdowns-Game: 6 by Steve Slaton vs. Louisville (3 overtimes), 2005
Most Touchdowns-Season: 25 by Stedman Bailey, 2012
Most Touchdowns-Career: 55 by Steve Slaton, 2005-07
Most Extra Points Made-Game: 11 by Shocky Van Horn vs. Geneva, 1951
Most Extra Points Made-Season: 64 by Tyler Bitancurt, 2012; by Pat McAfee, 2007
Most Extra Points Made-Career: 210 by Pat McAfee, 2005-08
Most Extra Point Attempts-Game: 13 by Shocky Van Horn vs. Geneva, 1951
Most Extra Point Attempts-Season: 66 by Tyler Bitancurt, 2012
Most Extra Point Attempts-Career: 212 by Tyler Bitancurt, 2009-12; by Pat McAfee, 2005-08
Highest Percentage Of PATs-Season (min. 25 att.): 100.0 (45-45) by Josh Lambert, 2014; (41-41) by Tyler Bitancurt, 2010; (62-62) by Pat McAfee, 2006; (43-43); by Jay Taylor, 1997
Highest Percentage of PATs-Career (min. 50 att.): 99.1 (210-212) by Pat McAfee, 2005-08
Consecutive PATs Made-Game: 10 by Tyler Bitancurt vs. Baylor, 2012, vs. Clemson, 2011
Consecutive PATs Made-Season: 62 by Brad Cooper, 2004; by Jay Taylor, 1997
Consecutive PATs Made-Career: 110 by Pat McAfee, 2005-07
Most Points Kicking-Game: 19 by Frank Nester vs. Villanova, 1972
Most Points Kicking-Season: 135 by Josh Lambert, 2014
Most Points Kicking-Career: 384 by Pat McAfee, 2005-08
Field Goals
Most Made-Game: 6 by Frank Nester vs. Villanova, 1972
Most Made-Season: 30 by Josh Lambert, 2014; by Paul Woodside, 1982
Most Made-Career: 74 by Paul Woodside, 1981-84
Consecutive Made: 15 by Paul Woodside, 1981-82
Most Attempts-Game: 6 by Frank Nester vs. Villanova, 1972
Most Attempts-Season: 39 by Josh Lambert, 2014
Most Attempts-Career: 93 by Paul Woodside, 1981-84
Highest Percentage Made-Season (min. 15 att.): 100.0 (19-19) by Bill Samuelson, 1970
Highest Percentage Made-Career (min. 30 att.): 79.6 (74-93) by Paul Woodside, 1981-84
Longest-Soccer Style: 55 by Josh Lambert at Texas Tech, 2014; by Paul Woodside vs. Louisville, 1984
Longest-Drop-Kick: 50 by Ed Kenna vs.Grove City, 1901
Interceptions
Most Passes Intercepted-Quarter: 3 by Karl Joseph vs. Georgia Southern, 2015 (3rd); by Jack Eastwood at Miami, 1973 (4th); by Mike Slater at Kentucky, 1969 (4th)
Most Passes Intercepted-Game: 4 by Mike Slater vs. Kentucky, 1969; by Francis Farley vs. Pitt, 1925; by Andrew King vs. Marietta,1915
Most Passes Intercepted-Season: 10 by Aaron Beasley, 1994
Most Passes Intercepted-Career: 20 by Steve Newberry, 1980-83
Most Touchdown Returns-Game: 2 by Vann Washington vs. Louisiana Tech, 1994
Most Touchdown Returns-Season: 2 by Kenny Robinson Jr., 2017; by Grant Wiley, 2000; by Vann Washington, 1994; by Aaron Beasley, 1994
Most Touchdown Returns-Career: 3 by Aaron Beasley, 1992-95; by Vann Washington, 1993-96
Longest Return: 100 by Tom Pridemore vs. Penn State, 1977
Miscellaneous
Most All-Purpose Yardage-Game: 572 by Tavon Austin, vs. Oklahoma, 2012
Most All-Purpose Yardage Season: 2,910 by Tavon Austin, 2012
Most All-Purpose Yardage Career: 7,286 by Tavon Austin, 2009-12
Most Opponent Fumbles Recovered-Season: 5 by Bob Starford, 1968
Most Opponent Fumbles Recovered Career: 7 by John Adams, 1972-74
Blocked Punts-Season: 7 by Joe Stydahar, 1934
PAT MCAFEE
DEFENSIVE RECORDS
Total Tackles
Game: 28 by Steve Dunlap vs. Boston College, 1974
Season: 190 by Steve Dunlap, 1974
Career: 492 by Grant Wiley, 2000-03
Unassisted Tackles
Game: 17 by Robert Tomko vs. Boston College, 1977
Season: 107 by Barrett Green, 1998
Career: 298 by Grant Wiley, 2000-03
Assisted Tackles
Game: 15 by Chris Haering vs. Maryland, 1989
Season: 100 by Chuck Smith, 1975
Career: 222 by Chris Haering, 1986-89
Quarterback Sacks
Game: 4 by Julian Miller vs. Pitt, 2011; by James Davis vs. East Carolina, 2000; by Gary Stills vs. Marshall, 1997; by Steve Hathaway vs. Virginia Tech, 1983
Season: 16.5 by Canute Curtis, 1996
Career: 34.5 by Canute Curtis, 1993-96
Team Game: 12 vs. Idaho, 2000
Team Season: 59, 1996
Tackles for Loss
Game: 6 by James Davis vs. East Carolina, 2000
Season: 19 by David Long Jr., 2018; by Johnny Dingle, 2007
Career: 52.5 by Dante Stills, 2018-22
Pass Breakups
Game: 5 by Beanie Bishop Jr. vs. BYU; by Dreshun Miller vs. Kansas State, 2020; by Jahmile Addae vs. Rutgers, 2002; by Vann Washington vs. Boston College, 1996; by Harold Kidd vs. Louisiana Tech, 1994
Season: 21 by Brian King, 2003
Career: 54 by Brian King, 2000-03
Longest Interception Return for TD
Tom Pridemore vs. Penn State/1977 100
Marcus Mauney vs. Virginia Tech/1974 99
Vann Washington vs. Louisiana Tech/1994 97
Kenny Robinson Jr. vs. Texas/2017 94
Tom Pridemore vs. Temple/1975 87
Bo Orlando vs. East Carolina/1987 84
Longest Interception Return/No TD
Barrett Green vs. Rutgers/1997 83
Tom Pridemore vs. Temple/1976 83
John Hale vs. William & Mary/1968 69
Tarris Alexander vs. Missouri/1993 67
Harry Sweeney vs. Geneva/1951 67
Single Game Total Tackles
Steve Dunlap vs. Boston College/1974
Chris Haering vs. Rutgers/1989 23
Rick Sherrod vs. Syracuse/2001
Grant Wiley vs. Syracuse/2001
Three players with 21; the most recent is Rick Sherrod vs. Virginia Tech/2001
Single Game Solo Tackles
Robert Tomko vs. Boston College/1977
Dennis Fowlkes vs. Virginia Tech/1980
Jeff Macerelli
Single
Pass Breakups
Single Game Assisted Tackles
Single Game Quarterback Sacks
Single Game Tackles For Loss
Season
Tackles
Tackles
CHRIS
BEANIE BISHOP JR.
MILAN PUSKAR STADIUM RECORDS
Total Offense Plays
WVU Individual: 67 by Geno Smith vs. LSU, 2011
Opponent Individual: 72 by John Welsh of Idaho, 2000
WVU Team: 96 vs. Maryland, 2015; vs. Towson, 2014; vs. Ball State, 1994
Opponent Team: 101 by Marshall, 2012
Two Teams: 185, vs. Missouri, 2016
Total Offense Yards
WVU Individual: 687 by Geno Smith vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Individual: 575 by Nick Florence of Baylor, 2012
WVU Team: 807 vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Team: 700 by Baylor, 2012
Two Teams: 1,507, vs. Baylor, 2012
Rushing Yards
WVU Individual: 344 by Tavon Austin vs. Oklahoma, 2012
Opponent Individual: 242 by Samaje Perine of Oklahoma, 2014
WVU Team: 536 vs. East Carolina, 2002
Opponent Team: 388 by Navy, 1999
Two Teams: 720, vs. Connecticut, 2007
Rushing Attempts
WVU Individual: 41 by Amos Zereoue vs. Pitt, 1997
Opponent Individual: 38 by LeSean McCoy, 2007
WVU Team: 76 vs. Temple, 1985
Opponent Team: 71 by Navy, 1999
Two Teams: 112, vs. Virginia Tech, 1987; vs. Rutgers, 1987
Rushing Touchdowns
WVU Individual: 5 by Steve Slaton vs. Louisville, 2005
Opponent Individual: 4 by Samaje Perine of Oklahoma, 2014; by Collin Klein of Kansas State, 2012; by Michael Bush of Louisville, 2005; by Walter Washington of Temple, 2003
WVU Team: 8 vs. Cincinnati, 1989
Opponent Team: 4 by Oklahoma, 2014; by Kansas State, 2012; by Louisville, 2005; by Temple, 2003; by Navy 1999; by Miami, 1986
Two Teams: 9, vs. Louisville, 2005
Longest Touchdown Run From Scrimmage
WVU Individual: 96 by Pat Randolph vs. Northern Illinois, 1986
Opponent Individual: 84 by Joshua Cribbs of Kent State, 2001
Longest Non-Touchdown Run From Scrimmage
WVU Individual: 79 by Tevin Bush vs. Baylor, 2018
Opponent Individual: 86 by Curtis Martin of Pitt, 1993
Pass Attempts
WVU Individual: 65 by Geno Smith vs. LSU, 2011
Opponent Individual: 56 by Jason Martin of Louisiana Tech, 1994
WVU Team: 65 vs. LSU, 2011
Opponent Team: 56 by Marshall, 2012; by Louisiana Tech, 1994
Two Teams: 98, vs. Baylor, 2012
Pass Completions
WVU Individual: 45 by Geno Smith vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Individual: 38 by Landry Jones of Oklahoma, 2012; by Rakeem Cato of Marshall, 2012
WVU Team: 45 vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Team: 38 by Oklahoma, 2012; by Marshall, 2012
Two Teams: 74, vs. Baylor, 2012
Passing Yards
WVU Individual: 656 by Geno Smith vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Individual: 581 by Nick Florence of Baylor, 2012
WVU Team: 656 vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Team: 581 by Baylor, 2012
Two Teams: 1,237, vs. Baylor, 2012
Pass Completion Percentage
WVU Team (min. 25 att.): 92.0 (23-25) vs. Kansas, 2012
WVU Team (min. 40 att.): 88.2 (45-51) vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Team: 88.2 (15-17) by Virginia Tech, 2005
Two Teams (min. 40 att.): 83.8 (26-31), vs. Virginia Tech, 2005
Two Teams (min. 75 att.): 75.5 (74-98), vs. Baylor, 2012
Interceptions Thrown
WVU Individual: 4 by Will Grier vs. Oklahoma State, 2018; by Chad Johnston vs. Pitt, 1995; by Roger Dietz vs. Syracuse, 1980
Opponent Individual: 5 by Paul Anderson of Cincinnati, 1990
WVU Team: 4 vs. Syracuse, 1980; vs. Syracuse, 1988; vs. Pitt, 1995; vs Oklahoma State, 2018
Opponent Team: 5, by Maryland, 2015; by Cincinnati, 1990
Two Teams: 6, vs. Maryland, 2015; vs. Temple, 1981; vs. Syracuse, 1980
Passing Touchdowns
WVU Individual: 8 by Geno Smith vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Individual: 6 by Landry Jones of Oklahoma, 2012
WVU Team: 8 vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Team: 6 by Oklahoma, 2012
Two Teams: 13, vs. Baylor, 2012
Longest Touchdown Pass
WVU Individual: 93 by Rasheed Marshall to Travis Garvin vs. Virginia Tech, 2003
Opponent Individual: 94 by Trevone Boykin to Josh Boyce of TCU, 2012
Longest Non-Touchdown Pass
WVU Individual: 68 by Greg Jones to James Jett vs. Boston College, 1990
Opponent Individual: 78 by Glenn Foley to Mark Chmura of Boston College, 1990
Receptions
WVU Individual: 14 by Tavon Austin vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Individual: 17 by Terrance Williams of Baylor, 2012
Receiving Yards
WVU Individual: 303 by Stedman Bailey vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Individual: 314 by Terrance Williams of Baylor, 2012
Receiving Touchdowns
WVU Individual: 5 by Stedman Bailey vs. Baylor, 2012
Opponent Individual: 4 by Kenny Stills of Oklahoma, 2012
Points Scored
WVU Individual: 36 by Steve Slaton vs. Louisville, 2005
Opponent Individual: 24 by Kenny Stills of Oklahoma, 2012; by Collin Klein of Kansas State, 2012; by Michael Bush of Louisville, 2005; by Walter Washington of Temple, 2003
WVU Team: 80 vs. Rutgers, 2001
Opponent Team: 58 by Miami, 1986
Two Teams: 133, vs. Baylor, 2012
Touchdowns
WVU Individual: 6 by Steve Slaton vs. Louisville, 2005
Opponent Individual: 4 by Samaje Perine of Oklahoma, 2014; by Kenny Stills of Oklahoma, 2012; by Collin Klein of Kansas State, 2012; by Michael Bush of Louisville, 2005; by Walter Washington of Temple, 2003
WVU Team: 11 vs. Rutgers, 2001
Opponent Team: 9 by Baylor, 2012
Two Teams: 19, vs. Baylor, 2012
Points By Kick
WVU Individual: 15 by Josh Lambert vs. Kansas, 2014; by Tyler Bitancurt vs. Liberty, 2009; by Pat McAfee vs. Rutgers, 200
Opponent Individual: 14 by Matt McCrane of Kansas State, 2014
Two Teams: 24, vs. Rutgers, 1999
Kicked Extra Point Attempts
WVU Individual: 10 by Brenden Rauh vs. Rutgers, 2001
Opponent Individual: 8 by Greg Cox of Miami, 1986
WVU Team: 11 vs. Rutgers, 2001
Opponent Team: 8 by Miami, 1986
Two Teams: 12, vs. Connecticut, 2007; vs. Rutgers, 2001; vs. Rutgers, 1995
Kicked Extra Points Made
WVU Individual: 10 by Tyler Bitancurt vs. Baylor, 2012; by Brenden Rauh vs. Rutgers, 2001
Opponent Individual: 9 by Aaron Jones of Baylor, 2012
WVU Team: 11 vs. Rutgers, 2001
Opponent Team: 9 by Baylor, 2012
Two Teams: 19, vs. Baylor, 2012
Field Goal Attempts
WVU Individual: 5 by Evan Staley vs. Baylor, 2018; by Josh Lambert vs. Kansas, 2014; by Todd Sauerbrun vs. Louisville, 1993
Opponent Individual: 6 by Matt McCrane of Kansas State, 2014; by Massimo Manca of Penn State, 1986
WVU Team: 5 vs. Baylor, 2018; vs. Kansas, 2014; vs. Maryland, 1986; vs. Louisville, 1993
Opponent Team: 6 by Kansas State, 2014; by Penn State, 1986
Two Teams: 9, vs. Kansas State, 2014; vs. Pitt, 2009
Field Goals Made
WVU Individual: 4 by Mike Molina vs. Missouri, 2016; by Josh Lambert vs. Kansas, 2014; by Tyler Bitancurt vs. Pitt, 2009; by Tyler Bitancurt vs. Liberty, 2009; by Pat McAfee vs. Rutgers, 2006; by Paul Woodside vs. Maryland, 1982; by Paul Woodside vs. Syracuse, 1982
Opponent Individual: 4 by Matt McCrane of Kansas State, 2014; by Ross Krautman of Syracuse, 2010; by Jeremy Ito of Rutgers, 2006; by Mickey Thomas of Virginia Tech, 1989; Brian Lowe of Boston College, 1986; by Massimo Manca of Penn State, 1986
WVU Team: 4 vs. Kansas, 2014; vs. Pitt, 2009; vs. Liberty, 2009; vs. Maryland, 1982
Opponent Team: 4 by Kansas State, 2014; by Norfolk State, 2011; by Syracuse, 2010; by Rutgers, 2006; by Virginia Tech, 1989; by Boston College, 1986; by Penn State, 1986
Two Teams: 7, vs. Pitt, 2009
Longest Field Goal
WVU: 55 by Paul Woodside vs. Louisville, 1984
Opponent: 53 by Dave Teggart of Connecticut, 2011; by Patrick Shadle of Syracuse, 2008
Punt Returns
WVU Individual: 9 by Mike Baker vs. Eastern Michigan, 1993
Opponent Individual: 8 by Steve Suter of Maryland, 2002
WVU Team: 10 vs. Eastern Michigan, 1993
Opponent Team: 8 by Maryland, 2002
Two Teams: 12, WVU vs. Eastern Michigan, 1993
Punt Return Yardage
WVU Individual: 168 by Nate Terry vs. Rutgers, 1997
Opponent Individual: 142 by Steve Suter of Maryland, 2002
WVU Team: 168 vs. Rutgers, 1997
Opponent Team: 142 by Maryland, 2002
Two Teams: 195, vs. Rutgers, 1997
Touchdowns On Punt Returns
WVU Individual: 1 by Tavon Austin (76 yards) vs. TCU, 2012; by Antonio Lewis (76 yards) vs. East Carolina; 2005; by Adam Jones (76 yards) vs. East Carolina, 2004; by Lance Frazier (64 yards) vs. Temple, 2003; by Antonio Brown (80 yards) vs. Rutgers, 1999; by David Carter (14 yard return of blocked punt) vs. Maryland, 1998; by Gary Thompkins (28 yard return of blocked punt) vs. Marshall, 1997; by Rodney Allen (2 yards) vs. Miami, 1994; by Cam Zopp (fumble recovery in end zone) vs. Louisville, 1984; by Willie Drewrey (65 yards) vs. Colorado State,1981; Fulton Walker (77 yards) vs. Richmond, 198
Opponent Individual: 1 by Tyler Lockett (43 yards) of Kansas State, 2014; by Nick Harwell (76 yards) of Kansas, 2014; by Andre Booker (87 yards) of Marshall, 2011; Will Blackmon (71 yards) of Boston College, 2004; by DeJuan Tribble (41 yards) of Boston College, 2004; by Steve Suter (80 yards) of Maryland, 2002; by Joey Getherall (73 yards) of Notre Dame; by Deon Maddox (72 yards) of Syracuse, 1996; by Nathaniel Brooks (20 yard return of blocked punt) of Miami, 1996; by Derrek Batson (97 yards) of East Carolina, 1992; by Marshall Roberts (63 yards) of Rutgers, 1989
WVU Team: 1, 10 times; most recent vs. TCU, 2012
Opponent Team: 2, by Boston College, 2004
Two Teams: 2, vs. Boston College, 2004
Longest Punt Return
WVU Individual: 80 (TD) by Antonio Brown vs. Rutgers, 1999
Opponent Individual: 97 (TD) by Derrek Batson of East Carolina, 1992
Kickoff Returns
WVU Individual: 8 by Tavon Austin vs. Oklahoma, 2012
Opponent Individual: 7 by Brycen Alleyne of Delaware State, 2017; by Boo Boo Gates of Bowling Green, 2011; by Nathan Jones of Rutgers, 2001; by Gary Brown of Penn State, 1988; by Bren Lowrey of Maryland,1988
WVU Team: 9 vs. Oklahoma, 2012; vs. Miami, 1986
Opponent Team: 10 by Bowling Green, 2011; by Connecticut, 2007; by Rutgers, 1995; by Rutgers, 2001
Two Teams: 15, vs. Oklahoma, 2012
Kickoff Return Yardage
WVU Individual: 199 by Tavon Austin vs. Kansas State, 2012
Opponent Individual: 202 by Mike Pringle of Cal State Fullerton, 1988
WVU Team: 235 vs. Kansas State, 2012
Opponent Team: 258 by Bowling Green, 2011
Two Teams: 397, vs. Louisville, 1993
Touchdowns On Kickoff Returns
WVU Individual: 1 by Mario Alford vs. Kansas (94 yards), 2014; by Tavon Austin vs. Kansas State (100 yards), 2012; vs. Marshall (100 yards), 2011; (98 yards) vs. Connecticut, 2009; by Shawn Terry (100 yards) vs. Syracuse, 2000; by Nate Terry (81 yards) vs. Temple, 1999; by Nate Terry (100 yards) vs. Temple, 1997; by Nate Terry (100 yards) vs.East Carolina, 1997; by Willie Drewrey (93 yards) vs. Syracuse, 1984 Opponent Individual: 1 by D’Ago Hunter (96 yards) of Towson 2022; by Pooka Williams (92 yards) of Kansas, 2020; by Alex Ross (100 yards) of Oklahoma, 2014; by Morris Claiborne (99 yards) of LSU, 2011; by Mardy Gilyard (100 yards) of Cincinnati, 2008; by Curt Warner (88 yards) of Penn State, 1980; by Jesse Williams (94 yards) of Richmond, 1980
WVU Team: 1 vs. Kansas, 2014; Kansas State, 2012; Marshall, 2011; Connecticut, 2009; vs. Maryland, 2006; vs. Syracuse, 2000; vs. Temple, 1999; vs. Temple, 1997; vs. East Carolina, 1997; vs. Syracuse, 1980
Opponent Team: 1 by Towson, 2022; by Kansas, 2020; Oklahoma, 2014; by LSU, 2011; by Cincinnati, 2008; by Richmond, 1980; by Penn State, 1980
Longest Kickoff Return
WVU: 100 by Tavon Austin vs. Kansas State, 2012; vs. Marshall, 2011; by Nate Terry vs. East Carolina, 1997; by Nate Terry vs. Temple, 1997; by Shawn Terry vs. Syracuse, 2000
Opponent: 100 (TD) by Alex Ross of Oklahoma, 2014; by Mardy Gilyard of Cincinnati, 2008
Punts
WVU Individual: 10 by Mark Fazzolari vs. Virginia Tech, 2001; by Jody McKown vs. Pitt, 1981; by Curt Carion vs. Penn State, 1980
Opponent Individual: 14 by Trevor Pardulla of Kansas, 2014
WVU Team: 11 vs. Idaho, 2000
Opponent Team: 14 by Kansas, 2014
Two Teams: 20, vs. Cincinnati, 2003; vs. Pitt, 1981
Punt Average
WVU Individual: 54.3 (7-380) by Todd Sauerbrun vs. Maryland, 1994
Opponent Individual: 54.0 (3-162) by Dave Zastudil of Ohio, 2001
WVU Team: 54.3 (7-380) vs. Maryland, 1994
Opponent Team: 54.0 (3 162) by Ohio, 2001
Two Teams: 49.5 (7-347), vs. Ohio, 2001
Punt Yardage
WVU Individual: 437 by Mark Fazzolari vs. Virginia Tech, 2001
Opponent Individual: 621 by Trevor Pardulla of Kansas, 2014
WVU Team: 448 vs. Idaho, 2000
Opponent Team: 621 by Kansas, 2014
Two Teams: 857, vs. Ball State, 1994
Longest Punt
WVU Individual: 78 by Mark Fazzolari vs. Virginia Tech, 1999
Opponent Individual: 84 by Klaus Wilmsmeyer of Louisville, 1990
Most Interceptions
WVU Individual: 3 by Karl Joseph vs. Georgia Southern, 2015; by Vann Washington vs. Louisiana Tech, 1994; by Darrell Whitmore vs. Cincinnati, 1990
Opponent Individual: 2 by many players, most recent Doug Hogue of Syracuse, 2010
Longest TD Interception Return
WVU Individual: 97 by Vann Washington vs. Louisiana Tech, 1994
Opponent Individual: 85 by Scott Radecic of Penn State, 1982
Longest InterceptionNon-Touchdown Return
WVU Individual: 83 by Barrett Green vs. Rutgers, 1997
Opponent Individual: 73 by Curtis Wyatt of East Carolina, 1982
Longest Fumble Recovery Return
WVU Individual: 97 (TD) by Mike Collins vs. Missouri, 1993
Opponent Individual: 97 (TD) by Ernie Lewis of East Carolina, 1992
Fumbles
WVU: 8 vs. Penn State, 1980
Opponents: 7 by Tulsa, 1998; Cincinnati, 2003
Two Teams: 12 vs. Syracuse, 1990
Fumbles Lost
WVU: 5 vs. Syracuse, 1990; vs. Miami, Ohio, 1992
Opponents: 5 by Cincinnati, 2003
Two Teams: 8, vs. Cincinnati, 2003
Turnovers
WVU: 7 vs. Syracuse, 1990
Opponents: 8, by Rutgers, 2001
Two Teams: 10 vs. Cincinnati, 2003; 1990
Penalties
WVU: 16 vs. Rutgers, 2001
Opponents: 19 by Norfolk State, 2011
Two Teams: 32 vs. Baylor, 2014
Yards Penalized
WVU: 158 vs. Temple, 1983
Opponents: 215 by Baylor, 2014
Two Teams: 353 vs. Baylor, 2014
First Downs
WVU: 37 vs. Maryland, 2015
Opponents: 34 by Baylor, 2012
Two Teams: 67, vs. Baylor, 2012
First Downs Rushing
WVU: 22 vs. Cincinnati, 1987; vs. East Carolina, 2002
Hedrick, Olan (C) Fairmont, W.Va. 1935-36-37 Heeter, Eugene (E) Windber, Pa. 1960-61-62 Heizer, William (E) Charleston, W.Va. 1925 Helinski, Charles (HB) Benwood, W.Va. 1941-42-43 Hendershot, Joseph 1897
Henderson, Miquelle (WR) Mobile, Ala. 2001-02-03-04
Hendricks, Brian (OG) Upper Marlboro, Md. 1986-87-88 Hensley, Adam (LB) Centerville, Ohio 2016-17-18
Henrie, Howard (T) Parkersburg, W.Va. 1913-15-16 Henry, Chris (WR) Belle Chasse, La. 2003-04 Henry, Jay (LB) Jenks, Okla. 2003-04-05-06C Henshaw, George (DT) Midlothian, Va. 1967-68-69C Henshaw, Mike (DB) Brentwood, Tenn. 2001-02-03-04 Hensley, George (C) Huntington, W.Va. 1926 Hernandez, Gregory (DB) Hurley, N.Y. 1996-98 Herock, Kenneth (E) Munhall, Pa. 1960-61-62 Herrig, Richard (HB) Point Pleasant, W.Va. 1959 Herron, Ross (E) Hiller, Pa. 1949-50 Hertzog, Greg (P) Jeannette, Pa. 1989-90 Herzog, Mike (DT) Waldorf, Md. 1983-84-85 Hess, David (E) Bridgeport, W.Va. 1959 Hester, Eugene (E) Plymouth, Pa. 1934-35 Hicks, Joel (HB) Richwood, W.Va. 1963 Hill, Ed (FB) Reston, Va. 1985-86 Hill, Ed (WR) Cincinnati, Ohio 1990-91-92-93 Hill, George (FB) Fairmont, W.Va. 1919-20-21 Hill, Lee (G) South Charleston, W.Va. 1945 Hill, Norman (OT) Moorestown, N.J. 1965-66-67 Hill, Philip (C) Charleston, W.Va. 1921-22-23-24 Hill, Pierre (E) Fairmont, W.Va. 1920-21-22-23 Hillen, James (T) Smock, Pa. 1956-57-58 Hillen, William (E) Uniontown, Pa. 1952-53-54 Himic, James (OG) Derry, Pa. 1977-78-79C Hindsley, Scott (DE) Beckley, W.Va. 1971 Hinerman, Edward M. (E) Moundsville, W.Va. 1908
Hines, Jack (DB) Morgantown, W.Va. 1971
Hines, Jeremy (C) Lakewood, Ohio 2003-04
Hinman, Clark Frank (HB) Sommerville, Mass. 1904-05-06-07
Mims, Anthony (DB) Los Angeles, Calif. 2002-03-04-05 Minetree, Brad (LB) Bridgeport, W.Va. 1982-83 Minneyfield, Tony (WR) Columbus, Ohio 1994
Mirault, Joe (DE) Howell, N.J. 2003
Mitchell, Darrell (TE) Point Pleasant, W.Va. 1988-89-90
Mitchell, Fred 1897 Moan, Emmett “Kelly” (HB) Long Beach, Calif. 1935-36-37 Molina, Mike (K) Hurricane, W.Va. 2016-17 Molinari, Mike (P/H/K) Parkersburg, W.Va. 2011-12-13-14C
Montinar, L.J. (DB) Naples, Fla. 2004
Montone, Neil (E) Jersey City, N.J. 1941 Moore, Brian (RB) Washington, D.C. 1992 Moore, Logan (WR) Fairmont, W.Va. 2013-14
Thomas, James “JT” (LB) Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 1994-95 Thomas, JT (LB) Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 2007-08-09-10C Thomas, John “Bennie” (HB) Fairmont, W.Va. 1932-33-34
Thomas, Robert (C) Mount Morris, Pa. 1946 47 Thomas, Ryan (TE) Dillsburg, Pa. 2002-03-04
Thomas, Thomas (G) New Martinsville, W.Va. 1935
Thompkins, Gary (DB) Miami, Fla. 1997-98-99 Thompson, Dwayne (WR) Miami, Fla. 2004-05-06 Thompson, Jordan (WR) Katy, Texas 2012-13-14-15 Thornton, Harry (DE) Parkersburg, W.Va. 1975-76 Thornton, Jalen (DL) Cincinnati, Ohio 2020-21-22-23 Thornton, John (DT) Scottsdale, Pa. 1995-96-97-98
Pittsburgh Gladiators (AFL) 1988 Vanderjagt, Mike (91-92)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) 1993-95
Minnesota Fighting Pike (AFL) 1996
Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 1996-97
Indianapolis Colts (NFL) 1998-2005
Dallas Cowboys (NFL) 2006
Walker, Fulton (77-78-79-80)
Miami Dolphins (NFL) 1981-85
Los Angeles Raiders (NFL) 1985
Walters, Sean (2013-15-16)
Ottawa Redblacks (CFL) 2018
Washington, Keith II (2018-19)
New Orleans Saints (NFL) 2020
New Orleans Breakers (USFL) 2022
Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 2022-23
Washington, Vann (93-94-95-96)
Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) 1997
Wesco, Trevon (2016-17-18)
New York Jets (NFL) 2019-21
Chicago Bears (NFL) 2022
Tennessee Titans (NFL) 2023
White, Kevin (2013-14)
Chicago Bears (NFL) 2015-18
San Francisco 49ers (NFL) 2020
New Orleans Saints (NFL) 2021
White, Kyzir (2016-17C)
Los Angeles Chargers (NFL) 2018-21
Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) 2022
Arizona Cardinals (NFL) 2023
White, Pat (2005-06-07-08C)
Miami Dolphins (NFL) 2009
Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) 2014
Williams, Dale (91-92-93)
Cleveland Thunderbolts (AFL) 1994
Williams, Edward (69-70)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) 1971-72
NAME (YEARS LETTERED AT WVU) TEAM/LEAGUE YEARS
Wolfley, Ron (81-82-83-84)
St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) 1985-87
Phoenix Cardinals (NFL) 1988-91
Cleveland Browns (NFL) 1992-93
Woodeshick, Tom (60-61-62)
Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) 1963-71
St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) 1972
Woods, J.D. (2008-09-10-11)
Tri-Cities Fever (IFL) 2014
Woods, Harold (76-77)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL) 1978
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) 1979-82
Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 1982
Montreal Alouettes (CFL) 1983
Worley, Daryl (2014-15)
Carolina Panthers (NFL) 2016-17 Oakland
Wyant, Fred (52-53-54-55)
Washington Redskins (NFL) 1956
Toronto Argonauts (CFL) 1957
Young, Warren (2004-05-06)
Green Bay Blizzard (AFL2) 2008
Zereoue, Amos (96-97-98)
Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) 1999-2003
Oakland Raiders (NFL) 2004
New England Patriots (NFL) 2005
# - Pro Football Hall of Fame
% - Replacement Player-1987 NFL Players Strike
AAL - American Areana League (2018-19)
AAFC - All-American Football Conference (1946-49)
AFL - American Football League (1926)
AFL - American Football League (1936)
AFL - American Football League (1960-69)
APFA - American Professional Football Association (1920-21)
NFL - National Football League (1920-2015)
USFL - United States Football League (198385/2023)
WFL - World Football League (1974-75)
CFL - Canadian Football League
AA - American Association (1936-41)
AFL - American Football League (1937-41)
AFL - American Football League (1946-50)
DFL - Dixie Football League (1936-47)
NFLE - National Football League Europe (1998-2003)
PCFL - Pacific Coast Football League (1940-48)
AFL - Arena Football League (1987-2014)
WLAF - World League of American Football (1991-97)
AFL2 - Arena Football League2 (2000-09)
XFL - Xtreme Football League
UFL - United Football League (2011)
UIFL - United Indoor Football League (2011-12)
IFL - Indoor Football League (2014)
This list was compiled by the West Virginia University Athletics Communications Office. Any corrections or additions are requested. This list is complete through the 2023 professional football season. Inclusion is based on at least one game of active service on the roster of any professional football team recognized by the Pro Football Researchers Association. Research on the Canadian Football League was supplied by independent researcher Jay Langhammer of Fort Worth, Texas. Arena Football League listings were supplied by Jennifer Boehm and Neil Boudreaux. NAME (YEARS LETTERED AT WVU) TEAM/LEAGUE YEARS NAME (YEARS LETTERED AT WVU) TEAM/LEAGUE
Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) 2013-14
New York Giants (NFL) 2015-17
Thompkins, Gary (97-98-99-2000)
Frankfurt Galaxy (NFLE) 2001
Wilson, Quincy (1999-2001-02-03C)
Cincinnati Bengals (NFL) 2004, 2006
NFL DRAFT PICKS
2024 2 51 Pittsburgh Steelers Zach Frazier C 2020-23
2023
6 213 Arizona Cardinals Dante Stills DL 2018-22
2021 5 153 Cleveland Browns Tony Fields II LB 2020
2020 5 152 Carolina Panthers Kenny Robinson Jr. S 2017-18
5 153 San Francisco 49ers Colton McKivitz OT 2016-19
2019 3 100 Carolina Panthers Will Grier QB 2017-18
3 101 New England Patriots Yodny Cajuste OT 2015-18
4 120 Seattle Seahawks Gary Jennings Jr. WR 2015-18
4 121 New York Jets Trevon Wesco TE 2016-18
6 188 Tennessee Titans David Long Jr. LB 2015-18
2018 4 119 Los Angeles Chargers Kyzir White S 2016-17
2017 3 99 Philadelphia Eagles Rasul Douglas CB 2015-16
5 166 Philadelphia Eagles Shelton Gibson WR 2014-16
2016 1 14 Oakland Raiders Karl Joseph SS 2012-15
3 77 Carolina Panthers Daryl Worley CB 2013-15
4 113 Chicago Bears Nick Kwiatkoski ILB 2012-15
5 153 Philadelphia Eagles Wendell Smallwood RB 2013-15
5 159 Houston Texans K.J. Dillon SS 2012-15
2015 1 7 Chicago Bears Kevin White WR 2013-14
4 134 Seattle Seahawks Mark Glowinski G 2013-14
5 158 Arizona Cardinals Shaq Riddick DE 2014
7 238 Cincinnati Bengals Mario Alford WR 2013-14
2014 3 69 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Charles Sims RB 2013
3 88 Cincinnati Bengals Will Clarke DE 2011-13
2013 1 8 St. Louis Rams Tavon Austin WR 2009-12
2 39 New York Jets Geno Smith QB 2009-12
3 92 St. Louis Rams Stedman Bailey WR 2010-12
2012 1 15 Seattle Seahawks Bruce Irvin DE 2010-11
5 140 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Najee Goode LB 2008-11
6 174 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Keith Tandy DB 2009-11
2011 4 98 Carolina Panthers Brandon Hogan DB 2007-10
5 134 Cincinnati Bengals Robert Sands DB 2008-10
6 195 Chicago Bears J.T. Thomas LB 2007-10
7 253 Washington Redskins Chris Neild DT 2007-10 2010 7 231 Washington Redskins Selvish Capers T 2007-09 2009 2 44 Miami Dolphins Pat White QB 2005-08
7 220 Buffalo Bills Ellis Lankster DB 2007-08
7 222 Indianapolis Colts Pat McAfee K 2005-08
2008 3 89 Houston Texans Steve Slaton RB 2005-07
5 163 Seattle Seahawks Owen Schmitt FB 2005-07
6 194 Pittsburgh Steelers Ryan Mundy DB 2007 2006 6 179 Detroit Lions Dee McCann DB 2004-05
2002-04
3 83 Cincinnati Bengals Chris Henry WR 2003-04
5 174 San Francisco 49ers Rasheed Marshall WR 2001-04
4 130 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Lance Nimmo T 2000-02
5
ZACH FRAZIER
1956-58
YEAR RD PICK TEAM
PLAYER POSI YEARS AT WVU
YEAR RD PICK TEAM
PLAYER POSI YEARS AT WVU
DARRYL TALLEY
WVU PRESIDENT
E. GORDON GEE, J.D., ED.D.
Currently serving for a second time as president of West Virginia University, Dr. E. Gordon Gee has been a leader in higher education for more than four decades. In 2009 Time magazine named him one of the top 10 university presidents in the United States. Ten years later, the website Great Value Colleges named him the nation’s top university president. In addition to his service at West Virginia University, Gee served as president of The Ohio State University (twice), Vanderbilt University, Brown University, and the University of Colorado.
Born in Vernal, Utah, Gee graduated from the University of Utah with an honors degree in history and earned his J.D. and Ed.D. degrees from Columbia University. Before starting his career in higher education, he clerked under Chief Justice David T. Lewis of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and was a judicial fellow and staff assistant to the U.S. Supreme Court, where he worked for Chief Justice Warren Burger.
He is the co-author of more than a dozen books, including his latest, What’s Public about Public Higher Education, and two recent ones, Leading Colleges and Universities and Land-Grant Universities for the Future. He has also authored many papers and articles on law and education. His service on educationgovernance organizations and commissions is extensive. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees Executive Committee
for the National 4-H Council and the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America. Recently, he was awarded the Abraham Lincoln Vision Award by the National 4-H Council, He served as chair of the Big 12 Board of Directors Executive Committee for the 2017-18 year and is a Big 12 representative on the
College Football Playoff Board of Managers. He is a Member of the Center for Economic Development (CED) Task Force on Building a More Civil and Just Society and an inaugural member of the Education Advisory Board (EAB) Presidents Advisory Council.
LAURIE ERICKSON AND E. GORDON GEE
WVU VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
WREN BAKER
In his first two years as West Virginia’s vice president and director of athletics, Wren Baker has faced every challenge head on and has never looked back. His energy has ignited a department, which turned in unprecedented success in 202324.
A bowl victory, a men’s soccer College Cup appearance and a first-ever baseball Super Regional were just some of the big moments in year two under Baker, and his high-energy and success have been contagious for Mountaineer Athletics in competition and in the classroom.
Athletic success and best-ever academic achievement by Mountaineer studentathletes have highlighted Baker’s tenure, while the department also turned in its second-best fundraising numbers ever during the 2024 athletic year.
Baker’s success at WVU did not come overnight. He first traveled the state to learn its culture, met Mountaineer fans from all over the world and immersed himself on what it meant to be a proud West Virginian. The results of Baker’s approach and work ethic speak volumes and have re-energized West Virginia Athletics.
Despite already hiring five new head coaches, creating a 20-year facility master plan and developing the department’s strategic vision for the coming years, Baker’s plate continues to be full. Budget concerns, a competitive NIL structure, lack of premium seating options in his two major sports venues and new revenue generation are being addressed by his administration to solidify the future of West Virginia Athletics.
WVU President E. Gordon Gee named Baker as WVU’s vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics on Nov. 30, 2022. He has oversight of 18 varsity sports, a department budget of more than $90 million, approximately 250 employees and nearly 500 student-athletes.
Baker is WVU’s 13th director of athletics and came to Morgantown from the University of North Texas, where he had been the associate vice president and athletics director since 2016. With previous stops at Missouri, Memphis, Northwest Missouri and Rogers State, he brought more than 20 years of experience to WVU.
At North Texas, seven Mean Green programs combined to win 17 conference or division championships during Baker’s tenure. UNT also reached new heights in the classroom under Baker’s leadership, posting its top APR scores and four consecutive department Graduation Success Rate (GSR) records. Baker led record fundraising years at North Texas, and the overall top five largest gifts ever at UNT came under Baker’s leadership.
Prior to North Texas, Baker was the deputy director of athletics at Missouri from 2015 to 2016, serving as the top advisor and chief of staff.
Before Missouri, he spent time at Memphis from 2013-15 as deputy athletics director.
From 2011-13, Baker was athletics director at NCAA Division II power Northwest Missouri State. From 2006-11, Baker served as the first athletics director at Rogers State in Claremore, Oklahoma, where he was also the school’s first men’s basketball coach. His team went 20-11 in his only season at the helm, and during his tenure, he developed a full-scale, competitive collegiate athletics program. In 2005, he was the principal and athletics director for Valliant Public Schools, and at age 26, was the youngest principal in Oklahoma history.
Originally fom Valliant, Oklahoma, Baker earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Southeastern Oklahoma State in 2001 where he was a member of the honors program. He went on to earn his master’s degree in education leadership from Oklahoma State in 2003.
While at Oklahoma State, Baker was a graduate assistant and basketball operations assistant for the Cowboys’ men’s basketball program under legendary head coach Eddie Sutton. During his time with OSU, the Cowboys posted a 102-30 record, reaching four NCAA tournaments with trips to the 2004 Final Four and the 2005 Sweet 16.
Baker and his wife, Heather, a Bokchito, Oklahoma, native, have two daughters, Addisyn and Reagan.
Wren Baker Through The Years
2001-05 Oklahoma State University
2005-06
2006-10
2010-13
2013-15
2015-16
2016-22
Basketball Operations Assistant
Valliant Public Schools
Director of Athletics/Principal
Rogers State University
Director of Athletics
Northwest Missouri State
Director of Athletics
University of Memphis
Deputy Director of Athletics
University of Missouri
Deputy Director of Athletics
University of North Texas
Vice President/Director of Athletics
2022- West Virginia University
Vice President/Director of Athletics
THE BAKER FAMILY: Reagan, Addisyn, Heather and Wren
Zach Frazier, Football (The Sporting News, USA Today, The Athletic, SI,com, Fox Sports, College Football Network)
Griffin Lake, Rifle (CRCA-Air Rifle/Combined)
Natalie Perrin, Rifle (CRCA-Smallbore)
Third Team All-Americans
Gavin Barnick, Rifle (CRCA-Combined)
Derek Clark, Baseball (NCBWA, D1Baseball))
Zach Frazier, Football (Associated Press,, Phil Steele)
Yutaro Tsukada, Men’s Soccer (US Soccer Coaches)
JJ Wetherholt, Baseball (Perfect Game)
Honorable Mention All-Americans
Wyatt Milum, Football (Phil Steele)
Natalie Perrin, Rifle (CRCA-Combined)
Freshman All-American
Jahiem White, Football (The Athletic, Pro Football Focus, On3, College Football News)
Academic Team Awards
Baseball, ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award
Men’s Soccer, United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award
Women’s Soccer, United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award
Men’s Swimming & Diving, CSCAA Scholar All-America Team
Women’s Swimming & Diving, CSCAA Scholar All-America Team
Women’s Tennis, ITA All-Academic Team
Baseball: 36-24, 19-11 Big 12; 4th in the Big 12; NCAA Super Regionals
Men’s Basketball: 9-23, 4-14 Big 12; 14th in Big 12
Women’s Basketball: 25-8, 12-6 Big 12; 4th in Big 12; NCAA Second Round
Cross Country: 4th at Big 12 Championship; 4th at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals
Football: 9-4, 6-3 Big 12; 6th in Big 12; Duke’s Mayo Bowl Champs
Golf: 5th at Big 12 Championship; tied for 3rd NCAA Regionals; 28th at NCAA Championship
Gymnastics: 8-14, 0-4 Big 12; 5th at Big 12 Championship
Rowing: 8th at Big 12 Championship
Rifle: 13-0, 6-0 GARC; GARC Regular Season and Tournament Champions; 2nd at NCAA Championships
Men’s Soccer: 17-3-4, 5-1-3 Sun Belt; 3rd in Sun Belt; NCAA College Cup
Women’s Soccer: 7-8-4, 5-3-2 Big 12; 5th in Big 12
Men’s Swimming and Diving: 2-2, 0-0 Big 12; 5th at Big 12 Championship
Women’s Swimming and Diving: 2-3, 1-1 Big 12; 6th at Big 12 Championship
Women’s Tennis: 15-13, 3-10 Big 12; 11th in Big 12; NIT Semifinals
Women’s Track & Field: 12th at Big 12 Indoor Championships; 14th at Big 12 Outdoor Championships
Volleyball: 9-22, 2-16 Big 12; 13th in Big 12
Wrestling: 10-5, 2-5 Big 12; 6th at Big 12 Championships; 17th at NCAA Championships
NCAA Team Qualifiers
Baseball
Cross Country
Golf
Men’s Soccer
Rifle
Women’s Basketball
NCAA Individual Qualifiers
Mia Cheatwood, Women’s Swimming and Diving
Katherine Dowie, Cross Country
Alexis Lamb, Cross Country
Ceili McCabe, Track and Field (Indoor)
Abigail Sullivan, Women’s Swimming and Diving
Sarah Trait, Cross Country/Outdoor Track and Field
Mikenna Vanderheyden, Outdoor Track and Field
Cassandra Williamson, Outdoor Track and Field
Jett Strickenberger, Wrestling
Ty Watters, Wrestling
Peyton Hall, Wrestling
Brody Conley, Wrestling
Jordan Titus, Wrestling
Individual Conference Champions
Ty Watters, Wrestling
Ceili McCabe, Mikenna Vanderheyden, Sarah Tait, Kishay Rowe, Indoor Track and Field, Distance Medley Relay)
MEDIA INFORMATION WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS
Following are some guidelines for covering the 2024 Mountaineers.
Credentials: All requests for working press, photo and broadcast credentials to cover West Virginia’s 2024 home football games must be applied for online at http://www. sportssystems.com/westvirginia at least two weeks prior to the game. Requests submitted the week of the game only will be honored if space permits.
Due to the demand for working credentials, media regularly assigned to cover WVU and the visiting school will receive priority.
All photographers must work outside the 20-yard lines as prescribed by the NCAA; they are not permitted in the bench area extended. Photographers must sign in for field access in the press box prior to each game.
No children (under the age of 16) are allowed on the sidelines during the game for any reason; any children on the sidelines will be removed, along with their guardians. Any abuse of a working credential to West Virginia football games can result in the media agency losing credential privileges for the remainder of 2024 and possibly the entire 2025 home season.
After The Game: Coach Neal Brown will conduct a postgame news conference in the Milan Puskar Center Team Room. Brown’s news conference also can be heard over the press box PA. Select WVU players also will be available in the team room. No media will be granted access to the West Virginia locker room.
During The Week: Coach Neal Brown will meet with the media each Monday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. in the Team Room at the Puskar Center. Mountaineer coordinators and select players will be available for interviews each Monday from 12:30 – 2 p.m. This is also the best time for players to return calls to out-of-town media. They will be available to return phone calls on Tuesday and Wednesday as class and practice schedules permit. Any special arrangements for player interviews should be made through assistant athletics director/ football communications Mike Montoro at least a day in advance. Players will not be asked to miss class or study hall for interviews and at no time will a player’s phone number be given to the media. No player interviews will be conducted during practice sessions. The practice and interview schedule for preseason camp and game weeks will be announced in August.
DIRECTIONS TO PRESS PARKING AREA (RED AND BROWN LOTS)
From I-79: Take the Star City/WVU exit. Cross the Star City Bridge and proceed up Monongahela Boulevard toward the Coliseum. At the Coliseum traffic light, turn left onto Patteson Drive. At the third traffic light, turn right onto University Avenue. Travel approximately ½ mile and make a left toward the WVU Law School. Proceed up the hill where attendants will direct you to the Red Media parking area. A shuttle van runs continuously from the media lots to the press box.
From I-68: Take the Pierpont Road exit and follow signs to the stadium. At the second traffic light off the interstate, turn left and travel up Easton Hill. Count two more traffic lights and take the roundabout second exit to the right and turn right on Route 705 and stay on this highway as it becomes Chestnut Ridge Road. Turn left at the sixth traffic light onto Van Voorhis Road, and make another left at the second traffic light onto University Ave. Travel approximately ½ mile and make a left toward the WVU Law School. Proceed up the hill where attendants will direct you to the Red Media area. A shuttle van runs continuously from the media lots to the press box.
MICHAEL FRAGALE
JOE SWAN Senior Director of Athletics Publications/Design
