With college football season just around the corner, let’s look at the names that will line up in the box against some of the best offensive lines the Big 12 has to offer.
Sean Martin
Martin is a true senior looking to end his collegiate career with a season to remember. Currently, he holds the most experience on West Virginia’s defensive line as he hasn’t missed a single game in the past three seasons. His numbers have fluctuated in his last two seasons, with 2022 outshining 2023. In 12 games during his sophomore season, Martin recorded 34 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four sacks. All of those counting stats saw a significant decrease the following season. Now entering 2024, Martin is in position for more snaps than ever before. The only question remaining is if he can exceed expectations and have a full breakout season.
Martin was a three-star recruit out of Bluefield High School in Bluefield, West Virginia. He was ranked as the #1 prospect out of West Virginia in the class of 2020 by 247Sports.
T.J. Jackson
Jackson is a true senior who transferred in from Troy University this past off-season. During his time at Troy, Jackson was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference First and Second Teams in his sophomore and junior seasons respectively. In 2023, he helped lead Troy to an 11-win season and Birmingham Bowl appearance, contributing 27 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 12 games. He also had two pass deflections and two forced fumbles last season. Jackson was graded as the best transfer defensive tackle over the past offseason by PFF, being designated an 89.7 grade.
Taurus Simmons
Simmons is a true senior who has been a consistent depth piece for the Mountaineers defensive line. The former three-star prospect does double duty on defense and special teams when called upon. While he’s played in 33 games over the past three seasons in Morgantown, Simmons is still looking for his first 10-tackle season. His previous two campaigns both ended with eight total tackles apiece, so watch for #45 to try to beat that number out.
Fatorma Mulbah
Mulbah is a true senior who transferred to West Virginia for his junior season, previously playing for Penn State. Mulbah began his collegiate career primarily on special teams, only having four tackles in 19 games through his sophomore season. After transferring to West Virginia, Mulbah became a key depth piece for the Mountaineers. Last season he appeared in 13 games and started one, tallying 25 total tackles and three tackles for loss. Now entering his senior season, Mulbah will likely see more opportunities than ever at the nose tackle position.
Hammond Russell IV
Russell is a redshirt junior that has one full season of action behind him thus far. The former three-star prospect was redshirted his freshman year and saw no playing time in 2022. However, he made the most of his depth role in 2023, earning 10 total tackles and contributing to a tackle for loss and sack. Across those 11 games, Russell saw 111 defensive snaps, a number that he could easily surpass this season. Look for the Ohio native to turn some heads this fall.
Nate Gabriel
Gabriel is a true freshman that was also a former teammate of safety Aubrey Burks. A three-star prospect according to 247Sports, Gabriel was offered by West Virginia and 23 other schools. Some of these schools include Illinois, Kansas State, Marshall, Tulane, and UCF. As a senior he played in all 11 games, ending his high school career with 74 tackles, four sacks, 26 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and two blocked punts in 2023.
Gabriel was also a three-sport athlete, winning the state wrestling title his junior season and advancing to nationals when throwing the discus. During his state title season, Gabriel held a 35-4 record. He was also named as the 2023 Polk County (FL) Co-Wrestler of the Year.
Edward Vesterinen
Vesterinen is a true senior who was an All-Big 12 Conference Honorable-Mention from the coaches after his junior campaign. They had good reasons to mention him as well, with the junior having 28 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in 13 games last season. Vesterinen became a full-time starter on the defensive line last season, showing how far the former three-star and No.1 recruit out of Finland has come. He’s also proven to perform well when under the bright lights, recording six tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against North Carolina last season. Expect to continue to see Vesterinen lined up against some of the Big 12’s best offensive linemen.
Asani Redwood
Redwood is a redshirt sophomore that saw plenty of use as a depth piece in 2023. The former three-star edge rusher out of Georgia saw action in 137 defensive snaps last year, including a season-high 18 against North Carolina. Redwood had three total tackles last year, including a sack against the Tar Heels and a sack assist against BYU. Redwood will likely continue to play a key depth role with the Mountaineers in 2024.
