Kwantel Raines looks to continue the legacy of No.8

Over the years there have been many hard hitting safeties at West Virginia and many of them have gone on to have success in the NFL. The one thing they all have in common? They all wore the #8 jersey. Now, incoming freshman defensive back Kwantel Raines of Aliquippa, Pa. announced on twitter that he to, will be sporting No.8.

I will be wearing 8 in college🎱🤧

— Telly Mac (@KwantelRaines) April 30, 2018

So with that being said, we take a look back at who has came through Morgantown and helped make the No.8 jersey special.

Keith Tandy (2008-11)

Tandy, a three year starter, was one of the best cover safeties in the Big East conference and nationally was an underrated guy. In 45 games, Tandy tallied 183 tackles, 9 TFL and 13 interceptions. He was named a two-time First-Team All-Big East selection and led the Mountaineers in interceptions in his junior campaign and ranked third in the Big East.

Tandy would go on to close his Mountaineer career out in style as his last game in a West Virginia uniform was in the 70-33 Discover Orange bowl win over the Clemson Tigers. The following spring Tandy was selected with the 174th overall pick (6th round) in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he has had a very successful career. He has been a serviceable backup for the Bucs and has shined when he gets the nod to start.

Karl Joseph (2012-15)

Karl “The Hitman”, “Krazy 8”, “The Haitian Sensation” Joseph. As Stephen A. Smith would say, he was a baaaad baaaad man. Joseph was an enforcer and a playmaker. He served as one of the most feared safeties in all of college football and was once rated by NFL.com as college football’s toughest player.

As an “undersized” safety Joseph played much bigger than his size. If you watch his highlight reel you will see him delivering big time blows to guys twice his size. Joseph was always around the ball, 194 tackles, 16.5 TFL and 9 interceptions in basically 3 1/4 seasons is remarkable. Joseph’s career came to an end a little early when he suffered a torn ACL during practice the week of the Oklahoma State game. He only played in four games his senior year and at the time led the nation with an outstanding 5 interceptions.

Joseph was selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. He quickly emerged as not only a starter, but one of the Raiders best secondary players.

Kyzir White (2016-17)

Not only a member of the greats who have dawned the No.8 jersey, but a member of one of the most talent families to come through the West Virginia football program. White was an intricate part in filling in the void left by Karl Joseph’s departure for the NFL.

In just two seasons, White racked up 152 tackles, 14.5 TFL, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He was just recently selected in the 4th round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers and is expected to move down to linebacker.