MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia Mountaineers more than exceeded predicted expectations in 2023, earning nine wins, including six in the Big 12 Conference, and finished the year with a win in the Duke's Mayo Bowl over North Carolina.
Neal Brown enters his sixth season as WVU's head coach. Returning a significant number of snaps and production, West Virginia looks to exceed expectations once again in 2024, which includes goals of double-figure wins, and not only a chance to play for the Big 12 Championship but to possibly advance to the new 12-team CFP Championship.
Standing between the Mountaineers and these expectations is a challenging schedule that features 11 Power Four opponents, making the Mountaineers one of only a handful of programs to facing such a slate.
Nonconference dates with preseason top-10 power Penn State to open the season on FOX BIG NOON SATURDAY, an FCS date with NCAA I-AA national semifinalist Albany and the 107thedition of the Backyard Brawl at Pitt await. A conference slate, which includes road games at Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Cincinnati and newcomer Arizona and home dates with Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State and UCF is daunting.
The Mountaineers return 18 starters, including 37 letterwinners and 29 players who have started at least one game at West Virginia.
OFFENSE
Eighteen letterwinners, including eight starters from last year and 16 players who have at least one start, return.
This season's offense will be led by preseason All-American honoree Wyatt Milum and preseason all-league caliber players, quarterback Garrett Greene, running backs CJ Donaldson Jr. and Jahiem White, offensive linemen Tomas Rimac and Brandon Yates, tight end Kole Taylor and receivers Hudson Clement, Traylon Ray and the versatile Rodney Gallagher III.
Chad Scott made his influence felt in his first season as the offensive coordinator. He believes the pieces are in place to allow for an expanded playbook and looks for an increased offensive output this season.
West Virginia led all Power Four schools in rushing yards last season, averaging 228.9 yards per game, was No. 27 nationally in total offense (434.6) and No. 38 in scoring offense (31.5). The offense was No. 5 in passing yards per completion (15.02), No. 3 nationally in fewest sacks allowed (10), No. 21 for fewest interceptions thrown (7) and No. 31 for fewest tackles for loss allowed (62).
Starting up front, the line will be one of WVU's offensive strengths once again, as it returns three of the five starters from a year ago, has 202 games played and 100 total starts. Five players with starting experience, including three who were full-time starters a year ago. Milum returns as the starter at left tackle, Rimac at left guard and Yates, who started at tackle and guard his previous years, moved to center.
Adding versatility and looking to lock down the final two starting positions on the line will be Ja'Quay Hubbard and Nick Malone. Hubbard has seen action in 29 games, including 15 starts at guard and tackle, and Malone has seen action in 40 games at tackle. Adding depth will be transfer tackle Xavier Bausley, a freshman All-American last year, tackle Johnny Williams IV, guards Sullivan Weidman and Nick Krahe and Landon Livingston at center.
Greene returns as the starting quarterback for the second straight year. He started all 12 games in which he played last season and completed 147-of-277 passes for 2,406 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was the team's third-leading rusher, finishing with 772 yards and team-best 13 touchdowns.
Greene tied for No. 1 nationally in quarterback rushing touchdowns, No. 2 in passing yards per completion (16.4), No. 9 in rushing yards per carry (6.4), No. 20 in yards per pass attempt (8.7), No. 22 in rushing touchdowns, No. 31 in total touchdowns (29) and No. 35 in total offense.
Against Cincinnati, Greene became the first WVU quarterback to have multiple games with three rushing TDs in a season since Pat White (2006). He was one of three Power 5 quarterbacks to run for 150 yards and pass for 210 yards in a game during 2023 and was one of two Power 5 quarterbacks to run for more than 700 yards and pass from more than 2,400 yards.
Giving quality depth behind center is Nicco Marchiol, who led the Mountaineers to wins against rival Pitt and Texas Tech. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.
Along with Greene, White and Donaldson Jr. return to give WVU a potent running attacks. In his first year at WVU, White led the Mountaineers with 1,086 all-purpose yards, including 842 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Donaldson Jr. had 798 yards and 11 touchdowns.
White, a freshman All-American in 2023, set the school single-season record for rushing yards per carry (7.7) and had four 100-yard rushing performances. He was the first true freshman to rush for more than 200 yards in a game since 2011.
Donaldson has seven 100-yard rushing performances in his career, tied for No. 5 in the Big 12 and No. 39 nationally in rushing touchdowns last year and finished No. 10 in the league in rushing yards and No. 8 in touchdowns.
Jaylen Anderson returns as another quality back in the room, and looking to add to the mix will be freshmen Diore Hubbard and Trae'von Dunbar.
The receiving corps look to make more of an impact this season, displaying a roster with size and speed. Tight end Kole Taylor, a 6-foot-7 target, became the first Mountaineer tight end since 1991 to lead the team in receptions, racking up 444 yards on 35 catches and four touchdowns. Receiver Preston Fox had 26 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns, Hudson Clement had 22 grabs for 480 yards (No. 3 nationally at 21.8) and a team-tying four touchdowns, Traylon Ray finished with 18 catches for 321 yards and three scores.
Newcomers who look to come in and make an immediate impact this year will be tight end Greg Genross (junior college All-American), Justin Robinson (former Mississippi State receiver and ReliaQuest Bowl MVP), Jayden Bray (Oklahoma State receiver) and freshman Ric'Darious Farmer (two-time Florida all-state).
DEFENSE
The defense returns 16 lettermen, including five starters and 11 players who have started at least one game for the Mountaineers.
Fifth-year defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley transitioned his unit into a versatile odd-front scheme, with a clearly defined identity. WVU played a streamlined, fast and attacking style with a physical hard-nosed approach.
The West Virginia defensive unit will once again feature leaders at all three levels, including linemen Sean Martin and Eddie Vesterinen, spur Tyrin Bradley, linebacker Trey Lathan and defensive backs Aubrey Burks and Anthony Wilson.
Martin, Fatormah Mulbah and Vesterinen will anchor the line. Martin started all 13 games at defensive end, finishing with 27 tackles, including 15 solo stops, one sack, five tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries. Mulbah played in all 13 games and earned a start against UNC in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. He finished with 25 tackles, including 10 unassisted tackles, assisted on a sack and had three tackles for loss. Vesterinen had 28 tackles, including three sacks and 4½ tackles for loss.
Adding depth on the line will be defensive ends Taurus Simmons, Troy transfer TJ Jackson, nose tackle Hammond Russell IV and tackle Asani Redwood. Adding to the mix will be ends Zachariah Keith and Elijah Kinsler, nose Nate Gabriel and tackle Makai Byerson.
Bradley played in 12 games in his first season at WVU. He finished with 22 tackles, including 14 solo stops, 2½ sacks, five tackles for loss, one pass breakup and had a 24-yard interception return against UNC in the bowl game. Ty French, a four-time all-conference honoree transferred from Gardner-Webb, will provide an explosive edge rusher. Freshmen Obinna Onwuka and Oryend Fisher add depth.
Lathan quickly solidified a position on the WVU defense that appeared to be a question mark heading into the season. He started the first five games at mike linebacker and finished with 27 tackles, including 11 solo stops, one tackle for loss, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and seven quarterback hurries before sustaining a season-ending leg injury. He returned to the team for the spring and is ready for the upcoming season. Reid Carrico, a transfer from Ohio State, will add depth along with freshmen Curtis Jones Jr. and Rickey Williams.
Sophom*ore Ben Cutter, redshirt freshman Josiah Trotter, along with redshirt junior Caden Biser will hold down the will linebacker spot. Trotter sat out last season after sustaining an injury during the preseason. Cutter enjoyed a productive freshman season, finishing fourth on the team with 56 tackles, including 28 unassisted tackles, two sacks and six tackles for loss. Biser saw action in all 13 games and finished with 23 tackles, including 12 unassisted stops, assisted on a sack and had 1½ tackles for loss.
The secondary was a major area of emphasis for the coaches during recruiting and they believe they have put together a talented mix of players to fit their needs.
Aubrey Burks played at free safety last season, saw time at spear during the spring and could be used at either this season. He finished with 47 tackles, including 39 solo stops, a sack, 3½ tackles for loss, forced and recovered a fumble and had two interceptions. Redshirt sophom*ore Raleigh Collins III and freshman Zae Jennings will add depth at spear.
Anthony Wilson started all 13 games at cat safety last year and finished as the second-leading tackler on the squad. He recorded 80 tackles, including 54 solo stops, 1½ tackles for loss, an interception and five pass breakups. He had nine tackles against UNC, eight tackles against Cincinnati and a season-high 11 tackles at Oklahoma.
Transfers Garnett Hollis Jr. (Northwestern), Ayden Garnes (Duquesne), TJ Crandall (Colorado State), Dontez fa*gan (Charlotte), along with junior Jacolby Spells and redshirt freshman Jordan Jackson will compete at the cornerback positions.
Adding depth at free safety will be transfer Jaheem Joseph (Northwestern) and redshirt freshman Aden Tagaloa-Nelson.
At cat safety, Jacksonville State transfer Kekoura Tarnue, earned junior college All-America honors at Rochester Community and Technical College will compete with redshirt freshman Josiah Jackson. Freshmen Israel Boyce and Keyshawn Robinson will look to contribute.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The special teams return intact with kicker Michael Hayes, punter Oliver Straw, long snapper Austin Brinkman and holder Leighton Bechdel all back.
Hayes handled all the kicking duties last season, connecting on 17-of-21 field goal attempts, 46-of-46 extra point attempts and had 20 touchbacks on 73 kickoffs. 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.
Brinkman, one of the best long snappers in the nation, earned preseason All-American honors from Phil Steele. He returns for his final year and will handle snapping for punts, field goals and extra points. Bechdel will handle the holder duties.
CONCLUSION
As with every season, there are challenges with roster management, determining starters and adding, but Brown has his team primed and ready to compete for double-digit victories, a spot in the Big 12 Championship and maybe more in 2024.
Preseason drills begin Wednesday morning with a closed practice up on the Steve Antoline Family Practice Field and continue through Saturday. The Mountaineers will resume on-field work next Monday with practices scheduled through Wednesday. Following a break next Thursday, the team will conclude week two with practices on Friday and Saturday.
Fall camp concludes with the start of the fall semester on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Season and mini-tickets remain on sale and can be purchased through the Mountaineer Ticket Office by logging on to WVUGAME.com.
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