WVU Defensive Depth Chart Projections for Week 1: Pre-Fall Camp Edition

DT: Edward Vesterinen, Davoan Hawkins, Jalen Thornton

"Eddie V" is going to surprise a lot of people in the Big 12. He may not put up numbers similar to Dante Stills, but he's going to wreak havoc in the backfield.

NT: Mike Lockhart, Hammond Russell IV, Fatorma Mulbah

I don't see an all-league type talent in this group but it's still a much better three-deep than they've had in years past. Mulbah could leapfrog Russell before the end of non-conference play.

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

This is the best depth West Virginia has had at the defensive end spot since Neal Brown came to Morgantown. You could make a case for each of the three guys behind Martin to start, but he's got the experience and production that the others don't possess just yet.

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

Bartlett is due to put up big numbers and by doing so, he'll firmly land on the radar of NFL scouts. All three guys will see action to some extent, but Bartlett is the guy WVU really needs to have a strong season.

WILL: Jairo Faverus, Trey Lathan, Ben Cutter

Faverus has bounced around a few positions since landing in Morgantown and now, he settles in at the WILL. This is one of my least confident predictions based on the high ceiling of Lathan and the potential of the young true freshman Ben Cutter. This may be a three-man rotation before it's all said and done.

MIKE: Lee Kpogba, Tirek Austin-Cave

Kpogba is the heart and soul of this defense. True leader that is primed for a big year. Austin-Cave is a quality backup who will be be groomed to be the next starting MIKE.

SPEAR: Lance Dixon, Hershey McLaurin, Raleigh Collins III

It appears as if the spear is going to look at little different this year. Bigger, more athletic bodies, giving almost a four linebacker look. Lance Dixon played the WILL last year, but will move into this new position as the starter.

CB: Montre Miller, Andrew Wilson-Lamp

As far as speed is concerned, these might be the two fastest guys on the entire team. I'll lean toward the experience of Miller but Wilson-Lamp will see a lot of action as well.

CB: Malachi Ruffin, Beanie Bishop, Jacolby Spells

Spells is going to be a multi-year starter before his time at WVU is up. But I don't see that starting right now. Former walk-on Malachi Ruffin has earned that top spot and Beanie Bishop's experience gives him a slight edge to be CB2 here.

FS: Aubrey Burks, Keyshawn Cobb

Burks is one of the top safeties in the Big 12, so there's not much of a competition here. Cobb was brought in more for depth and special teams more than anything.

CAT: Marcis Floyd, Anthony Wilson, Christion Stokes

I believe Floyd will start the season as the starter, but it may be Anthony Wilson who finishes the year as the guy at CAT. All-league player during his time at Georgia Southern and was a hot commodity in the transfer portal.

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