WVU football 2024 roster review: Defensive line

01/07/2024

For the second consecutive year, West Virginia University football defensive line coach Andrew Jackson will have to rework his unit after several key departures.

Out of WVU’s 33 sacks in 2023, 16.5 came from defensive linemen, and 10 of them were produced by players who are no longer on the roster in 2024. The Mountaineers also allowed the third fewest rushing yards per game (144.3) in the Big 12 last year.

Get to know the new-look WVU defensive line below in the latest edition of Gold and Blue Nation’s annual roster review series.

Sean Martin

In some ways, senior defensive end Sean Martin is the face of the WVU defense.

With 21 starts, Martin is the most experienced player in the Mountaineers’ front seven. He is one of two returning starters on the defensive line, and he will also represent WVU at Big 12 Media Days for the second consecutive season.

The softspoken pass rusher can sometimes fly beneath the radar, but he is expected to attract a bright spotlight this fall. Both his sack total (four in 2022, one in 2023) and tackles-for-loss output (eight in 2022, five in 2023) took a hit last season, likely because of double teams while demanding more attention from opponents.

The Bluefield, West Virginia, native will also honor his late high school teammate Anthony A. “Tony” Webster III by wearing the No. 5 on his jersey this season. Webster III, also known as “Lil Tony,” collapsed during a workout at Bluefield High School in January 2019. He died later that week at the age of 17.

T.J. Jackson

T.J. Jackson, a former All-Sun Belt wrecking ball at Troy, earned the highest grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) of any defensive tackle who transferred this offseason. Jackson was given an 89.7 grade for his play last season, when he tallied 27 tackles, 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.

Arguably his best year came in 2022 as a sophomore, when he recorded eight sacks and 23 total tackles. That season, he was one of just 16 players nationally to record at least eight sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.

“[He is] a guy that is extremely explosive,” defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said this spring. “Again, that has shown in his tape and in his production.”

The Millbrook, Alabama, native came to WVU with one season of eligibility remaining.

Edward Vesterinen

One of the multiple international imports on the West Virginia roster, senior Eddie Vesterinen has a unique background. After learning about the game of football by watching YouTube videos, the Finnish Mountaineer will likely play a big role on WVU’s starting defensive line rotation this fall.

“Eddie V” is one of the most consistent forces on the WVU defensive line, operating on the interior with his hand in the dirt. In his first season as a starter, he logged the second most sacks (three) among WVU defensive linemen and recorded 7.5 tackles for loss.

Fatorma Mulbah

Redshirt senior Fatorma Mulbah is back for his second season at WVU and his final season of college ball.

Mulbah was a key rotational piece for Jackson and the WVU defensive line last season. He appeared in all 13 games, including one start, and he took 20 or more defensive snaps in six separate games. He recorded 25 total tackles, three tackles for loss and a half sack last season.

Hammond Russell IV

Another veteran role player, Hammond Russell IV played in 12 of the Mountaineers’ 13 games last year.

Russell IV logged 10 tackles last season, three of which came against Oklahoma.

Asani Redwood

Asani Redwood suffered an injury as a freshman that required surgery, and WVU head coach Neal Brown repeatedly applauded Redwood’s ability to return for the Pitt game in September. Upon his return, he became another depth piece in WVU’s second group of defensive line rotations.

He recorded three total tackles, which included 1.5 sacks, last season.

Rounding out the depth chart

Taurus Simmons
Corey McIntyre Jr.
Derek Berlitz
Oryend Fisher
Zyir Daniel
Jackson Biser
Nate Gabriel
Donovan Grayson
Zachariah Keith
Harry Hilvert

Notable departures

Tomiwa Durojaiye
Davoan Hawkins
Jalen Thornton
Mike Lockhart

Previous position group reviews

Offensive linemen

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