WVU's Vocal Leader on Defense Comes From an Unexpected Source

One of the newcomers is taking ownership of a leadership role in Zac Alley's defense.

WVU Athletics Communications

With eleven new starters populating the defensive side of the football, you have a bunch of unknowns. Also, you have to find new guys to step up and be the leaders of the unit, holding guys accountable and making sure everyone stays locked in.

Linebacker Ben Cutter is one of the most experienced players in Zac Alley's system, having played in it last year, but so is nickel/sam Geimere Latimer, who played for him at Jacksonville State. But the most vocal player thus far, according to defensive lineman Nate Gabriel, is someone who has never played for Alley, and that would be safety Kamari Wilson.

“He right now is the vocal leader of the whole group, of the whole defense. I want to be more like him. He’s really the example of the vocal leader we need right now.”

Let’s 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙚 😤 pic.twitter.com/YiNeOyOQIr

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 11, 2026

What you can expect from Kamari Wilson

WVU Athletics Communications

Wilson plays the game at full speed, 100% of the time, which is exactly what you want from your box safety. There is only one Karl Joseph, but with him sporting that No. 8 jersey, he'll give you flashbacks of Joseph when he gets a chance to deliver a big hit. This lick that he put on Arkansas QB Taylen Green, who is 6'6", 230 lbs, is the perfect example of the punch that he packs.

This hit by Memphis Football Kamari Wilson 😱 😳 pic.twitter.com/VYAyoSxBFA

— The cfb lliason (@realfbllliason) September 20, 2025

He runs extremely well and loves to come up and fit the run game in between the tackles, but can cover a bunch of grass, defending sideline to sideline. Wilson is consistent against both the pass and the run, not being a liability against either.

This is a guy who is made for the big stage and can very easily turn himself into an NFL draft pick with a solid campaign in 2026. Coming out of high school, he was ranked as a five-star prospect and was the 18th-best player in the country in the 2022 recruiting class, according to ESPN.

Wilson began his career at Florida, picking the Gators over Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, and several others.

As a true freshman, he made an impact, totaling 39 tackles for the Gators. After seeing his role reduced in 2023, he hopped in the transfer portal and landed at Arizona State, where he was primarily a depth piece. Last year at Memphis, he reestablished himself, posting 84 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, four passes defended, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles — a game-changing talent.