Projecting WVU's Defensive Depth Chart vs. Penn State

We're eleven days away from kickoff in Happy Valley. What will West Virginia's defense look like when they take the field a week from this Saturday?

Here's how I see it.

DT: Edward Vesterinen, Davoan Hawkins, Jalen Thornton

This group is better than it looks on paper. There's not much returning production, but the staff feels like Eddie V is ready to take a step while Hawkins and Thornton rotate behind him.

NT: Mike Lockhart, Hammond Russell IV, Fatorma Mulbah

West Virginia is much bigger in the middle and honestly, bigger than they've ever been under Neal Brown. All three of these guys will play and I'm not sure that one will truly separate from the others. Good quality depth here.

DE: Sean Martin, Taurus Simmons, Tomiwa Durojaiye, Asani Redwood

Redwood is still working his way back from injury, Durojaiye is a redshirt freshman and is still learning the defense, Simmons is trying to work his way into the fold, and Sean Martin is a little banged up. There's potential for this group to be good, but we may not see them hit full stride until October.

BANDIT: Jared Bartlett, Tyrin Bradley, James Heard Jr.

WVU needs Jared Bartlett in a big way this fall. With all the production WVU lost up front, they need someone to generate a consistent pass rush and this is where it has to come from. It's time for Bartlett to have a big year.

WILL: Trey Lathan, Jairo Faverus, Ben Cutter

This position battle will spill over into the season and I wouldn't be all that surprised to see them give the nod to Faverus, who is the veteran in the group. However, I've heard some really good things about Trey Lathan, who has turned a corner in the last week or so.

MIKE: Lee Kpogba, Tirek Austin-Cave, Caden Biser

Kpogba is the clear starter and there's nothing that could change that other than injury. But WVU needs Austin-Cave to push for playing time. If he can do that, it'll give Jordan Lesley more flexibility with their sub packages and not have Kpogba on the field in obvious passing situations.

SPEAR: Lance Dixon, Hershey McLaurin, Raleigh Collins III

Dixon can flip over to WILL if need be and allow McLaurin to slide into the starting role. Either way, both will be on the field a ton. Collins is a depth piece right now who will likely make an impact on special teams.

CB: Beanie Bishop, Malachi Ruffin OR Jacolby Spells

Spells may be number three right now, but I could see him taking over one of the starting roles at some point this season. For now, WVU banks on the experience of Beanie Bishop and Malachi Ruffin.

CB: Montre Miller, Andrew Wilson-Lamp

Similar to Spells, AW-L should eventually develop into the starter. Heck, he may be the guy in Week 1 for all we know. Again, I think WVU values experience early on in the year and goes with Miller.

FS: Aubrey Burks, Keyshawn Cobb

Burks is an all-league player, but Cobb is going to offer something a little different. He's always around the ball breaking up passes, making tackles, and forcing turnovers. Good one, two punch here.

CAT: Marcis Floyd, Anthony Wilson, Christion Stokes

Floyd begins the year as the starter but as the season moves along, I see Wilson taking this spot over. He's too talented to not be the guy. Floyd will still have a big role when that move does happen.

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