As we head into the last two weeks of Fall Camp, we continue our 2023 pre-season coverage of the West Virginia Mountaineers. So far, we have taken a look at quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, offensive line, defensive line, tight ends, and safeties. Now, we provide our WVU 2023 linebacker preview.
2023 WVU Linebacker Preview
When outside linebackers coach Jordan Lesley joined the program in 2019, he oversaw the defensive line. Currently, in his fifth year with the program, he has been the defensive coordinator and outside linebackers for the last three. Alongside Lesley is inside linebacker coach and special team coordinator Jeff Koonz, who has been with WVU since 2020. Under Lesley, in 2021, the defense ranked No. 12 nationally with three touchdowns, while the rushing defense improved three spots to No. 4 in the Big 12. With Koonz and Lesley’s guidance, the WVU defense ranked No. 5 nationally in red zone defense for the 2021 season. This was a 67-spot improvement from the prior year.
Last year the WVU defense didn’t rank within the top 50, a staggering change from the 2021 season. With the loss of only four players, two starters in total, it will be intriguing to see how the 2023 linebacker room bounces back.
Returning Players
Among those returning, senior Lee Kpogba is the one who has played in the most games. He started all 12 games in his first season with the Mountaineers. Last season, he amassed 92 total tackles, 44 solo, 48 assists, and 5.5 tackles-for-loss. On top of this stat line, Kpogba received an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and ranked No. 8 in the Big 12 in total tackles (7.7). He previously played at East Mississippi Community College and Syracuse, making his experience a valuable asset to the upcoming season. If last season was any indicator, we expect more from him than an honorable mention this year.
Both redshirt sophomores Jairo Faverus and Caden Biser saw playing time in 11 games last year. Faverus, hailing from Amsterdam, Netherlands, had one solo stop and one tackle in the 2022 season. During spring practice in 2021, he suffered a knee injury that resulted in surgery. This led to Faverus being redshirted. Conversely, Biser finished with eight tackles, three solo, and five assists. A West Virginia native, he was redshirted his freshman year after his high school senior year being cut short by COVID-19. Both players show promise for this upcoming season and seem to be on an upward trend regarding performance with WVU this year.
This leaves us with Tirek Austin-Cave, Trey Lathan, and Donald Brandel. Austin-Cave, a junior who transferred to WVU from Miami University after the 2021 season, played in nine games last season. He accrued one assist and one tackle in his first year with the program. Lathan, a redshirt freshman, played in four games his freshman year. With six assists and six tackles, he has a fighting chance to be a contender among his teammates. Donald Brandel, a Morgantown native, was redshirted as a freshman last season.
Among those in the linebacker room, there could very well be a struggle between Biser, Faverus, and Lathan. Kpogba has secured his position via stats alone, so the battle for other starting positions within the WVU 2023 linebacker room will continue for the rest of Fall Camp.
Those Seeking Playing Time
Among those returning to WVU, one could be looking for playing time this coming season. Austin Welch, from Huntingtown, Maryland, was redshirted last season. He attended Huntingtown High School, where he played 26 games in his career. He amassed 184 tackles, 20 solo, 164 assists, 17 tackles for loss, two-and-a-half sacks, and two interceptions. All of this was accomplished in just his sophomore and senior seasons.
Newcomer Tyler Cain joined WVU earlier this spring, transferring from the Naval Academy Preparatory School. Cain did not see playing time with the Academy. He attended Beaver Falls High School in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where he finished his junior season as a Class 2A WPIAL State Champion. He had 66 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three interceptions in the 2020 season.
Adding to the Room
Aside from those mentioned above, Ben Cutter, Josiah Trotter, and Kam Shallis are the freshman additions to the 2023 WVU linebackers’ room.
Photo courtesy: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
