Who Did Neal Brown Call West Virginia’s Most Improved Defensive Player?

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – After a tough start to the season, WVU head coach Neal Brown was complimentary of his defense as his team heads into a bye week. Brown then noted one defensive player as the most improved Mountaineer so far this season.

Brown singled out safety Anthony Wilson, now in his second season with West Virginia, as the defense’s most improved player while rattling off the players who had an impact on West Virginia’s 32-28 comeback win over Kansas on Saturday.

“Anthony Wilson has played well all year, probably our most improved player,” said Brown early on during his weekly press conference on Monday.

WVU HC Neal Brown calls Anthony Wilson their most improved player.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) September 23, 2024

Wilson’s statistics through four games tell the story of his strong play. He has 29 total tackles, with 11 coming as solo, and two pass deflections. in 2023, Wilson recorded 80 tackles and four pass deflections.

Prior to transferring to West Virginia, Wilson dominated at Georgia Southern, posting 102 tackles in 2022.

Back in April, Wilson opened up about feeling more comfortable at WVU after completing a full season with his new team.

“Just being even a better leader, and help guys that may not understand certain things in our scheme, and allowing guys to play faster,” Wilson explained.

Wilson even touched on what was the most important aspect of joining a new team for him.

“Just gelling with the locker room, cause I feel that’s the most important thing with the team. The stronger the locker room, the stronger the bonds are in the locker room, the better your team.”

WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose

WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose

Something former WVU safeties coach Dontae Wright, who left to become defensive coordinator at Troy after the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, said still rings true today and speaks to what Wilson brings to the table beyond what he does on the field.

“Every day he walks in this building he’s got a chip on his shoulder,” said Wright about Wilson. “When he steps on them lines, it ain’t about friends, it’s about getting better and making sure we’re all on the same page,” he added.

Upon arriving in Morgantown, Anthony Wilson made it known he wants to follow in the footsteps of former Mountaineer Karl Joseph. To that end, Wilson spent time gaining strength and perspective from soldiers during the offseason.

For a related story, WVU linebacker Tyrin Bradley was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.