WVU DC Jordan Lesley Details Priorities for Spring, Plan to Build Off 2023

On Monday, the first day of WVU football spring practice, defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley talked with the media for the first time since the end of the 2023 season.

Lesley, who is entering his sixth season at West Virginia and fourth as defensive coordinator, is revitalized after a success season. After a disappointing 2022 season, the defense was able to get back to form throughout most of the past year.

But despite playing well, and even leading the way in big wins like a Backyard Brawl victory over Pitt, Lesley feels the defense could have been even better. He talked about dealing with injuries and having to use certain players in bigger roles than was initially the plan as reasons why West Virginia was at a disadvantage defensively at times.

Lesley recognized the loss of consensus All-American Beanie Bishop, but voiced being excited to have Aubrey Burks back and at full strength. He also hopes newcomer like Ayden Garnes will prove to be an underrated addition. More prominently, Garnett Hollis and Jaheem Joseph bring major conference experience and depth to the WVU secondary.

Lesley admitted his main tasks throughout spring are getting outside linebackers coach Victor Cabral, and even defensive lineman TJ Jackson, acclimated. Jackson will be relied upon to fill the void left by Tomiwa Durojaiye, who transferred to Florida State.

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While the Mountaineers will be without key veterans in Lee Kpogba and Jared Bartlett, as he will finish out his eligibility with Big 12 foe Cincinnati, Lesley believes the the experience several younger players gained last year will do the overall defense wonders moving forward.

For better or worse, Jordan Lesley is more attached to Neal Brown than anyone else on the staff and will always be judged more critically than any other assistant due to that fact.

Watch Lesley’s full press conference below.