By: Justin “Couz” Walker | WV Sports Chat
The WVU football program has a long and storied tradition of sending elite talent to the NFL. Many of those players have made their mark on the grandest stage of them all: the Super Bowl. From record-breaking returns to historic MVP performances, several Mountaineer alumni have risen to the occasion.
We’re counting down the top six West Virginia football alumni to ever play in the Super Bowl, ranked by their impact and championship legacy.
6. Fulton Walker (DB/KR)
The Martinsburg, West Virginia native played at WVU from 1977-1980. He was primarily a defensive back, but also lined up at running back during his sophomore season. His primary role on the Mountaineer team was as a kick returner. He returned 58 punts in his career for a total of 675 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned 51 kickoffs for 1,066 yards.
Super Bowls XVII, XIX Fulton Walker may be a name younger WVU fans aren’t as familiar with. However, his impact was undeniable. Playing for the Miami Dolphins, Walker etched his name in history during Super Bowl XVII. Against the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders), he returned four kickoffs for 190 yards, including a 98-yard touchdown. At the time, it was the longest play in Super Bowl history and remained the record for several years. He followed that up with another strong performance in Super Bowl XIX. That cemented his status as one of the game’s premier return specialists.
5. Mike Compton (OL)
The Richlands, Virginia native was an offensive lineman at WVU from 1989-1992. He excelled as a center and earned consensus All-American honors. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder was drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. After eight seasons there, he spent 2001-2003 with the New England Patriots. He finished his career in 2004 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII Mike Compton was a key piece of the New England Patriots’ early dynasty. He started at guard for two Super Bowl-winning teams, helping protect Tom Brady. Compton helped pave the way to victories over the Rams and the Panthers. With two championship rings as a starter, Compton’s consistency and reliability earn him the number five spot on our list.
4. Bruce Irvin (LB/DE)
BRUUUUUUCE, as he was affectionately known to Mountaineer fans, needs no introduction. After two years in the JUCO ranks, the Atlanta native transferred to play for WVU football in 2010. He wasted no time making headlines. Irvin finished his first season number two in the country with 14 sacks. He continued his stellar play in 2011, finishing with another 8.5 sacks. Despite only two seasons at WVU, he would leave with the fourth most sacks in school history (22.5). He would then be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft (15th overall) by the Seattle Seahawks. Irvin had three separate stints in Seattle. He also spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears during his career 11 year career.
Super Bowls XLVIII, XLIX As a member of the legendary “Legion of Boom” defense, Irvin brought championship energy to Seattle. He secured his first ring in Super Bowl XLVIII, a dominant 43-8 blowout of the Denver Broncos. The former Mountaineer would record two solo tackles in the contest. He returned to the big stage the following year in Super Bowl XLIX, recording a sack against Tom Brady. Irvin’s ability to pressure the quarterback on the game’s biggest stage makes him a true Mountaineer legend.
3. Darryl Talley (LB)
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Talley played at WVU from 1979-1982. He was selected as WVU football’s third consensus All-American during his senior season. He finished his career in Morgantown as the career leader in tackles (484). That record has since been broken. The 6-foot-4 linebacker was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He spent 12 seasons in Buffalo and never missed a game during that time. He also had short stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings.
Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII Darryl Talley, was affectionately known as “Spiderman.” Some would say he was the heart of the Buffalo Bills teams who made four straight Super Bowl appearances. While the Bills famously came up short in those four games, Talley’s individual performances were outstanding. He recorded eight solo tackles in Super Bowl XXV. He followed that with five, seven, and nine tackles in the subsequent appearances.
2. Jeff Hostetler (QB)
The man known as “Hos” transferred to West Virginia in 1981. He had spent the first two years of his college career at Penn State. After sitting out the 1981 season (per NCAA rules), the Pennsylvania native started two seasons for the Mountaineers. He led WVU football to an upset over #9 Oklahoma to start the 1982 season. That team would go on to the 1982 Gator Bowl. The Mountaineers would win the Hall of Fame Bowl over Kentucky to cap off the 1983 season. Hostetler would end his career in Morgantown with an 18-6 overall record as the starting quarterback. The New York Giants drafted him in the third round of the NFL Draft in 1984. He would spend eight years with the franchise. He also spent time with the Raiders, and the Redskins (now Commanders).
Super Bowls XXI, XXV Jeff Hostetler’s story is one of the most remarkable in NFL history. Originally a backup for the Giants, he was thrust into the starting role for the 1990-91 playoff run after Phil Simms went down with an injury. Hostetler led the Giants to a thrilling 20-19 victory over the Bills in Super Bowl XXV. He threw for 222 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He also earned a ring as a backup in Super Bowl XXI. “Hos” is the only WVU quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl.
1. Chuck Howley (LB)
The Warwood, West Virginia native lettered in five sports at WVU. Those sports were football, track, swimming, men’s gymnastics and wrestling. On the gridiron, he played both offensive line and linebacker. He also took on kicking and punting duties when needed. His Mountaineer teams compiled a 21-8-1 record from 1955-1957. After his All-American career at WVU, Howley was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1958 draft (7th overall). After an injury plagued three years in Chicago, he moved on to the Dallas Cowboys. It’s there Howley would spend the next 12 years of what was eventually a Hall of Fame career.
Super Bowls V, VI There is no debating the number one spot. Chuck Howley is a true icon of the game and holds a record that may never be broken. He is the only player in history to win Super Bowl MVP while playing for the losing team. Despite the Cowboys’ loss to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V, Howley put on a great individual performance. He had two interceptions, several tackles, and a forced fumble. He returned to the Super Bowl the following year and would record another interception and a fumble recovery to help the Cowboys secure a 24-3 victory over the Dolphins.
Honorable Mentions:
- Colton McKivitz: The most recent Mountaineer to appear in the Super Bowl. He started at tackle for the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
- Ken Herock: The first-ever Mountaineer to play in a Super Bowl, appearing in Super Bowl II with the Oakland Raiders.
- The “WVU 4”: In Super Bowl LII, the Philadelphia Eagles roster featured four Mountaineers. They were: Najee Goode, Wendell Smallwood, Rasul Douglas, and Shelton Gibson.
From the early days of the AFL-NFL merger to the modern era, West Virginia has consistently produced NFL level talent. That reputation has taken somewhat of a hit the past several years, with fewer Mountaineers getting drafted. Mountaineer fans are hoping Rich Rodriguez can get the WVU football program back to those “good old days.”
Photo Credit: Dominion Post
