Antoine Sharp Jr. Joins Balanced Linebacker Corps | WVU Football All 105

All 105 is a West Virginia Sports Now series profiling each member of the 2026 WVU Football Roster.

West Virginia’s defense hasn’t had much to hang their hat on in recent seasons, but their linebacker group has a solid pipeline of proven starters, former backups ready to step into a larger role, and promising freshmen like three-star Antoine Sharp Jr. The six foot tall, 225 pound Florida native amassed 233 tackles across his final two years in high school, adding 11 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss.

Middle linebackers typically lead their team in tackles, impeding both the running game and high-percentage throws over the middle. They also serve as the quarterback of the defense because of the way they receive play calls and make sure their teammates are lined up in the proper spots.

While every fan wants to see the promising young freshmen make it on the field, the fact that WVU Football has enough depth for Sharp to wait in the wings, slowly adding to his game and carving out a bigger role, could actually prove more beneficial for his career moving forward.

30 • Antoine Sharp Jr., freshman linebacker

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Post-Camp Outlook: Sharp is one of ten players listed at linebacker on the Mountaineers’ roster, which makes a distinction between outside linebackers/edge rushers and the tackling machines on the inside. He falls into the latter category.

Projected Role: West Virginia has a solid group of linebackers that includes proven Power Four contributors like Malachi Hood and backups ready to take a leap like Ben Cutter and Ashton Woods. As such, expect Sharp to begin moving his way up the pipeline with snaps as a reserve and on special teams, perhaps maintaining another year of eligibility via redshirt.

Accolades, Highlights: Sharp earned a three-star rating from 247Sports in high school, racking up 100 tackles, 6.5 sacks and three pass breakups as he did a little bit of everything from the middle linebacker position.

Coverage Links:

Breaking: WVU Football Steals Away UCF LB Commit Antoine Sharp