Position Group Previews: Secondary

Over the last few seasons, WVU football has competed on the defensive side of the ball and has been highly regarded in the Big 12. With the loss of several key defensive players to the transfer portal, Neal Brown and his staff have acquired new talent in the secondary to hopefully maintain the reputation of the Mountaineers’ defense for the 2022 season.

When defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley joined the Mountaineer staff in 2019, WVU’s defense noticeably improved and climbed national rankings in 2020. With defensive backs coach Shadon Brown and safeties coach Dontae Wright, Lesley looks to sustain WVU’s defensive success. In 2021 conference games, WVU was tied for second in the Big 12 in interceptions and was third in passing defense.

For the 2022 season, the Mountaineers have some new faces joining the secondary. They are a young group, but with the transfer portal bringing in some talented defensive backs, the room has depth that Mountaineer fans should look forward to.

The Projected Starters

Charles Woods, CB

One of the most talented players for West Virginia is cornerback Charles Woods. Woods came to WVU in 2021 from Illinois State and quickly made a name for himself as a Mountaineer.

Last season, Woods was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, finishing with 31 tackles, including 22 solo stops, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Listed as a right cornerback, Woods will look to make up for the loss of Nicktroy Fortune and Daryl Porter Jr. to the transfer portal.

Andrew Wilson-Lamp, CB

A young talent who is expected to start for WVU is cornerback Andrew Wilson-Lamp. The redshirt freshman did not see a lot of action last season, but it seems that his offseason efforts have been paying off as he is listed on the depth chart as the projected starting left cornerback.

Wilson-Lamp recorded a tackle and a pass-breakup in the spring game and has made an adjustment to being a defensive player, as he was initially recruited as a wide receiver.

Davis Mallinger, Spear

Davis Mallinger was used on special teams last season and will likely be utilized as a punt returner for the 2022 season. Mallinger, listed as a safety on the roster, will be in the secondary rotation for his redshirt freshman season. Mallinger had a quiet first year for WVU, totaling only two solo tackles, but has improved in the secondary as seen by his performance in the spring game.

Aubrey Burks, FS

Sophomore Aubrey Burks played in six games last season before sustaining a season-ending injury against TCU. With the departure of Alonzo Addae and Sean Mahone, Burks has the opportunity to become a key aspect of the Mountaineers’ defense. During the spring game, Burks gave fans a preview of his talent, leading the game with five tackles and being the only Mountaineer to make an interception.

Marcis Floyd, CS

Marcis Floyd is a newcomer to the program, joining the Mountaineers in 2022 after transferring from Murray State. While at Murray State, Floyd totaled 40 stops in 2021 and earned conference honors for his impressive defensive statistics. Floyd has two years of eligibility remaining and will likely make a big impact; at the spring game, he logged two tackles for the Gold team.

Returners

While Neal Brown has a few familiar faces in the secondary, many of his returners have yet to prove their talent on the field. Veteran players led the secondary in recent years, and this year’s group has a lot to prove.

Charles Woods is the secondary’s top returning player and was recently named to the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list with teammate Dante Stills. Joining Woods in the backfield is redshirt senior Malachi Ruffin, who added depth at cornerback in 2021 but was primarily used on special teams. Ruffin will likely be utilized on special teams in the upcoming season, but listed as a safety, will also see some snaps on defense.

Projected starter Andrew Wilson-Lamp is also a returning player, but only played in four games last season. Another returning player with little in-game experience is redshirt freshman Davis Mallinger, also expected to start.

Naim Muhammad enters his redshirt sophomore campaign in the 2022 season and is expected to add depth at spear. Muhammad missed the 2021 season due to injury but saw action in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

Aubrey Burks is expected to make his comeback this year after a season-ending injury in 2021. Alongside Burks is safety Saint McLeod, a sophomore who finished last season with 22 tackles, including a tackle for loss and two forced fumbles. Defensive backs Caleb Coleman and Avery Wilcox round out the returners in the secondary.

Newcomers

Although West Virginia has seen several losses to the transfer portal this offseason, there has also been a lot of talent brought into Morgantown. The secondary is largely made up of new faces, most of which transferred from schools where they put up impressive numbers.

Marcis Floyd is one of the most talented among the newcomers, as he is a projected starter for the season. Floyd was highly decorated at Murray State and will bring a new energy at safety.

Another newcomer with a lot of experience is Jasir Cox, a senior from North Dakota State. At NDSU, Cox started at linebacker, but is listed at spear for WVU, a hybrid position of linebacker and defensive back. In 2021, Cox’s former team won the FCS National Championship, with help from Cox as one of the team’s leading tacklers. Cox also is currently not listed as a starter, but with his talent, could earn the spot by the end of the season.

Rashad Ajayi joined the Mountaineers in the offseason after transferring from Colorado State. Ajayi will likely fit into the rotation at cornerback, as he was a successful starter for his former school, finishing with 28 tackles in 2021. Ajayi has plenty of experience that will aid the secondary, despite currently not being listed as a starter.

Cornerback Wesley McCormick transferred from James Madison, where he redshirted his senior year to maintain his final year of eligibility. From 2017-2020, McCormick made several starts for JMU and totaled 68 tackles over the four seasons.

The secondary also picked up two junior college transfers, including safety Hershey McLaurin and cornerback Jaylon Shelton. McLaurin finished with 36 tackles and five interceptions in 2021 at Jones County Junior College. Shelton transferred from Tyler Junior College, where he chose WVU over TCU. Both could see some action in the rotation.

Among the newcomers is also a strong group of freshmen, including Raleigh Collins, Tyrin Woodby, Mumu Bin-Wahad, Jacolby Spells and Christion Stokes.

Photo by Kevin Jairaj, USA Today Sports