Anthony Wilson
Redshirt senior Anthony Wilson will be entering his second season with WVU after beginning his collegiate career at Georgia Southern. Wilson started all 13 games last year for West Virginia at the cat safety position and had the second-most total tackles on the team with 80. He recorded his first career interception and had a career-high eight tackles against Oklahoma State last season. With a year under his belt in defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley’s system, Wilson is slated to continue to be productive for the Mountaineers this upcoming season.
Aubrey Burks
Senior Aubrey Burks is among the highest-graded safeties in the Big 12 and in the FBS as a whole. Burks started all 12 games for West Virginia in 2023 and was an All-Big 12 Conference Honorable-Mention Honoree (Coaches). In 2024 Burks is expected to play cat safety and SPEAR (a hybrid linebacker, safety and slot cornerback position). He is a veteran in the Mountaineers relatively young secondary and will be looked to as a leader in this group.
Avery Wilcox
Redshirt junior Avery Wilcox was West Virginia’s 2024 Tommy Nickolich Award winner, given to WVU’s most outstanding walk-on. Wilcox played in all 13 games last season, primarily being used on special teams. He intercepted a pass in West Virginia’s week two win over Duquesne in 2023. In 2024, Wilcox may continue to be used on special teams and may be called upon to play defense, adding depth. Wilcox’s father, Ray, played for the Mountaineers in the early 1990s and was also a recipient of the Nickolich Award.
Jaheem Joseph
Jaheem Joseph is a redshirt junior, who transferred to WVU from Northwestern this offseason. Joseph played in 13 games last season for the Wildcats starting six. He finished 2023, with 24 total tackles (18 solo), three interceptions and a pass breakup. Two of Joseph’s interceptions came against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. Joseph will have the opportunity to be a difference-maker on the Mountaineers’ defense this upcoming season and will undoubtedly add solid depth to their secondary.
Josiah Jackson
Josiah Jackson may be a breakout candidate for West Virginia’s defense in 2024. He redshirted last season as a true freshman and saw action against Duquesne where he tallied a solo tackle. Jackson could be rotated in at safety and also could be used all over the secondary as he was a cornerback recruit in high school.
Kekoura Tarnue
Kekoura Tarnue is a senior who transferred to WVU this offseason after playing one season at Jacksonville State under former Mountaineer head coach Rich Rodriguez. Tarnue began his collegiate career playing JUCO at Rochester Community and Technical College. The six-foot safety from Liberia had 48 total tackles (42 solo) for Jax State in 2023 and was first on the team in interceptions with three, which tied for third in CUSA. Tarnue adds experience to WVU’s safety group and is a playmaker that can give the team momentum.
