West Virginia University football defensive line coach Andrew Jackson will have to retool his team for the second straight year after losing several key players.
Of WVU's 33 sacks in 2023, 16.5 came from defensive linemen, including 10 by players not rostered in 2024. The Mountaineers were also the third-fewest team in the Big 12 last year in rushing yards per game (144.3).
Get to know the new-look WVU defensive line in the latest edition of Gold and Blue Nation's annual member review series.
Sean Martin
In some ways, senior defensive end Sean Martin is the face of the WVU defense.
With 21 starts, Martin is the most experienced member of the Mountaineers' front seven. He is one of two returning starters on the defensive line and will represent WVU at Big 12 media days for the second consecutive year.
The quiet pass rusher can fly under the radar at times, but he's expected to be in the bright spotlight this fall. Last season, he was double-teamed and drew more attention from opponents, which hurt both his sacks (four in 2022, one in 2023) and tackles for loss (eight in 2022, five in 2023).
The Bluefield, West Virginia native will wear the No. 5 jersey this season in memory of his late high school teammate, Anthony A. “Tony” Webster III. Webster III, also known as “Lil Tony,” collapsed during a workout at Bluefield High School in January 2019 and died later that week at age 17.
TJ Jackson
Troy's former All-Sun Belt destructive force T.J. Jackson Highest grade Pro Football Focus (PFF) has ranked Jackson the highest among all defensive tackles added this offseason, giving him an 89.7 grade last season after recording 27 tackles, 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.
Arguably his best year came as a sophomore in 2022, when he recorded eight sacks and 23 total tackles. That season, he was one of just 16 players nationally to record at least eight sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
“[He is] “He's a very explosive player,” defensive coordinator Jordan Leslie said this spring, “and again, that's evident in his tape and his play.”
The Millbrook, Alabama, native enrolled at West Virginia University with one season of eligibility remaining.
Edward Vesterinen
One of several international transfers on West Virginia's roster, senior Eddie Vesterinen comes with a unique background: The Finnish Mountaineer learned about the game of football by watching YouTube videos and is set to play a big role in West Virginia's starting defensive line rotation this fall.
“Eddie V” is one of the most consistent forces on WVU's defensive line, playing on the dirt on the interior, and in his first season as a starter, he recorded the second-most sacks (3) among WVU defensive linemen and recorded 7.5 tackles for loss.
Fatorma Mulba
Redshirt senior Fatulma Marva will return for her second and final season of college basketball at West Virginia University.
Marva was a key rotation player on the defensive line for Jackson and West Virginia last season. He played in all 13 games, including one start, and had 20 or more defensive snaps in six games. He recorded 25 total tackles, three tackles for loss and 1/2 a sack last season.
Hammond Russell IV
Hammond Russell IV, another veteran role player, appeared in 12 of the Mountaineers' 13 games last year.
Russell IV recorded 10 tackles last season, three of which came against Oklahoma.
Assani Redwood
Asani Redwood suffered an injury during his freshman year that required surgery, but West Virginia head coach Neal Brown repeatedly praised Redwood's ability to return in September against Pittsburgh. Since his return, he has been another reserve in West Virginia's second-string defensive line rotation.
He recorded three total tackles last season, including 1.5 sacks.
Completing the depth chart
- Tarrus Simmons
- Corey McIntyre Jr.
- Derek Berlitz
- Oliend Fisher
- Jill Daniel
- Jackson Bither
- Nate Gabriel
- Donovan Grayson
- Zachariah Keith
- Harry Hilbert
Notable retirees
- Tomiwa Durojaie
- Davoan Hawkins
- Jalen Thornton
- Mike Lockhart
Review of previous position groups
For daily roster analysis this week, visit GoldAndBlueNation.com. All coverage also is available in the free Gold and Blue Nation app, available for download on Apple and Android devices.
