July 26—MORGANTOWN — West Virginia’s defensive line was a position group defined by its consistency last season, not its star power.
The Mountaineers led the Big 12 with 33 sacks, but no player had five and no returning defensive lineman had more than three.
But WVU defensive line coach Andrew Jackson isn’t pushing for any player to get a big break this season. He continues to preach what worked so well in 2023: consistency and depth.
It starts with senior defensive end Sean Martin. Expected to be the best player on WVU’s defensive front, Martin, a Bluefield product, played injured most of last season, recording just five tackles for loss and one sack. As with the rest of the line, Jackson isn’t pushing for a breakout from Martin, just more solid play.
“Just be a professional, be consistent,” Jackson said is his message to Martin. “The consistency has come since January and I think he’s in the best mental space I’ve seen him in since I’ve been here.”
Opposite Martin in play will be WVU’s model of consistency in senior Edward Vesterinen. Nicknamed “Streay Eddy,” Vesterinen, a native of Finland, recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in his first season as a starter last year. He plays boundary defensive tackle.
In between, there is a battle for the starting spot between redshirt junior Hammond Russell IV and redshirt senior Fatorma Mulbah.
Russell hasn’t seen the field much during his time as a Mountaineer, recording just 10 career tackles, all last season, but Jackson feels 2024 could be his coming out party.
“Off the field, he’s taking much better care of himself,” Jackson said. “He’s going to class, doing the right things, eating the right things and is in great shape. Now the physicality and athleticism are showing.”
Mulbah transferred from Penn State to WVU before last season and worked his way into the defensive line rotation, earning more and more playing time as the season went on. He finished with three tackles for loss and half a sack last season.
Both tipping the scales at over 300 pounds, Russell and Mulbah are trying to fill the void left by the transfer of Mike Lockhart this offseason.
Jackson values versatility at backup defensive line spots, meaning rotation pieces TJ Jackson and Asani Redwood can play anywhere along the line when needed.
TJ Jackson, a senior, transferred from Troy this summer. He has 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2023.
“TJ Jackson was a great addition for us,” said Coach Jackson. “He’s an old guy who will reinforce the end position and has very good positional versatility.”
Redwood, a redshirt sophomore, arrived late last season but missed all of spring practice due to injury. He is expected to be ready to go to fall camp.
“Judging by the way he played in the bowl and the plays he made at the end of the season, you’d want to keep stoking the fire,” Jackson said. “I hope he recovers and recovers in the summer.”
One player who won’t help the Mountaineers this fall is Corey McIntyre. Coaches have talked about the redshirt freshman earning a prominent role in the defensive line rotation this season, but a spring injury will keep him out for most, if not all, of the season.
Other depth players are redshirt freshman Zachariah Keith, redshirt freshman Derek Berlitz and true freshmen Makai Byerson (Richmond, Va.), Elijah Kinsler (Oradell, NJ) and Nate Gabriel (Auburndale, Fla.).
Projected Depth Chart Defensive Tackle Edward Vesterinen, Sr TJ Jackson, Sr (Troy)
Corey McIntyre Jr., R-Fr Elijah Kinsler, Fr Nose Tackle Fatorma Mulbah, R-Sr Hammond Russell IV, R-Jr Nate Gabriel, Fr Defensive End Sean Martin, Sr. Asani Redwood, R-So Zachariah Keith, R-Fr Makai Byerson, Father Derek Berlitz, R-So
