By: Justin Walker
When West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez discussed his team’s outlook for the 2025 season, he noted that the Mountaineers were only returning two full-time starters from the previous year, and both of those players were on the offensive side of the ball. This might lead some to believe that the West Virginia defense will struggle in the upcoming season. However, a deeper dive into the roster reveals that the Mountaineers actually have some valuable experience returning on defense, which could be a key part to their success in 2025.
While it’s true that West Virginia may not have many “official” starters back on defense, a closer look at the snap counts and career production of the returning players paints a much different picture. For example, defensive lineman Asani Redwood has played over 570 snaps in his career, while defensive tackles Eddie Vesterinen and Hammond Russell IV have over 900 and 400 career snaps under their respective belts. Vesterinen was a starter in 2023 and opened the 2024 season as a starter, until going down with a season ending injury in week two.
Beyond those along the defensive line, West Virginia also has several other players who bring significant experience to the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Ben Cutter has played over 600 snaps in just two seasons with the Mountaineers, while defensive back Kekoura Tarnue has over 1,000 career snaps between his time at Jacksonville State and West Virginia.
When you compare the returning experience on defense to the offensive side of the ball, the contrast is quite stark. Outside of a few key players like running back Jahiem White and wide receiver Rodney Gallagher III, the Mountaineers are facing a significant rebuild on offense, with the entire offensive line and tight end positions essentially starting from scratch.
This disparity in returning experience between the offense and defense could be a major factor in West Virginia’s success in 2025. While the offense may take some time to find its footing under new coach Rich Rodriguez, the defense could be the unit that carries the team early on, leveraging its veteran leadership and proven production to keep the Mountaineers competitive.
In addition to the returning players on defense, West Virginia has also been active in the transfer portal, bringing in a significant number of experienced players to bolster the roster. The Mountaineers have added around 30-31 transfer players, with 23 of those having just one year of eligibility remaining, meaning they are seasoned veterans who have played at least two to three years of FBS or FCS football.
When you look at the snap counts and career production of the players West Virginia is losing versus the players they are bringing in, the defensive side of the ball is where the Mountaineers have done the best job of replacing departures.
On the offensive side, West Virginia is losing over 8,900 snaps from 2024, including a staggering 4,600 along the offensive line alone. While the Mountaineers are bringing in around 5,400 snaps from the transfer portal on offense, that still leaves a significant gap of over 3,400 snaps that need to be accounted for.
In contrast, on the defensive side, West Virginia is losing around 6,600 snaps from 2024, but they are bringing in approximately 6,000 snaps from the transfer portal. This means the defensive unit is only facing a 600-snap difference, a much more manageable gap to fill compared to the offensive side of the ball.
When you look at the career snap totals, the disparity becomes even more pronounced. West Virginia is losing over 17,600 career defensive snaps, but they are bringing in over 14,000 career snaps from the transfer portal on that side of the ball. This means the Mountaineers are much closer to maintaining their overall defensive production and experience level, despite the significant roster turnover.
The influx of experienced transfers, particularly on the defensive side, could be a game-changer for West Virginia in 2025. These veteran players will not only provide immediate impact on the field, but they will also bring a level of maturity and leadership that can be invaluable in helping the team navigate the challenges of a new season.
In addition to the returning experience and transfer portal additions, West Virginia’s defense also stands to benefit from the aggressive, attacking style of new defensive coordinator Zac Alley. Alley is known for his aggressive, blitz-heavy approach, which could play to the strengths of the Mountaineers’ defensive personnel.
Players like defensive end Jimmori Robinson, the transfer from UTSA and 2024 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and former Wyoming EDGE rusher, Braden Siders, have the potential to be disruptive pass rushers in Alley’s scheme, while former Colorado State linebacker Chase Wilson could thrive as a playmaker in the middle of the defense.
If the Mountaineers can solidify their secondary, which has been an area of concern in recent years, the combination of an experienced front seven and an aggressive, attacking defensive philosophy could make West Virginia’s defense a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
While the West Virginia offense may be the focus of attention due to Rich Rodriguez’s reputation as an offensive mastermind, the data and analysis suggest that the Mountaineers’ defense could be the key to their success in 2025.
With the combination of returning experience, a significant influx of veteran transfers, and an aggressive defensive scheme that plays to the strengths of the roster, West Virginia’s defense appears poised to be the driving force behind the team’s potential turnaround.
As the Mountaineers navigate the challenges of the 2025 season, their defensive unit could be the catalyst that propels them to success, providing a solid foundation while the offense works to find its footing. Fans of West Virginia football should keep a close eye on the defensive side of the ball, as it may just be the difference-maker that helps the Mountaineers achieve their goals in the upcoming season.
To check out the video version of this story, check out this recent episode of Couz’s Corner on YouTube.
