WVU DC Jordan Lesley Recognizes the Players Standing Out for Defense

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Even though WVU is only through a few fall practices, WVU defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley can already pinpoint certain players who are standing out.

While speaking with the media, including WVSN’s Mike Asti, for the first time since the spring, Lesley discussed the development of the defense and which players he’s been most impressed with so far.

Lesley mentioned Aubrey Burks, Anthony Wilson, Josiah Trotter and Ben Cutter as the players who pop in his mind first when asked to name the defense’s top performers.

WVU DC Jordan Lesley points to Burks, Wilson, Trotter and Cutter as players who are standing out during fall camp so far.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) August 3, 2024

Burks and Wilson are no surprise, but Trotter and Cutter earning praise lends credence to what WVU head coach Neal Brown said earlier in the week. Brown feels the linebacker room is the best it’s been since he arrived in Morgantown in 2019.

Key injuries and struggling to recruit top linebacker talent almost collided to create a disaster for the Mountaineers last season. Lee Kpogba took charge of the unit and Ben Cutter played as well as could be expected, but the West Virginia knows it needs more collective production from the linebackers this fall.

Kpogba is gone, but WVU brought in a former four-star prospect Reid Carrico and also expects big things from a healthy Trey Lathan and Trotter.

Asti: Look for WVU LB Josiah Trotter to Make Immediate Impact

“Getting (Josiah) Trotter back and Trey (Lathan) back, it’s the deepest we’ve been at linebacker the whole time,” said Lesley while speaking to the media after an early spring practice.

Lesley also showed love to a couple newcomers. First, Lesley described Ohio State transfer Reid Carrico as both fast and smart. He then praised Ayden Garnes, saying the Duquesne transfer has shown a lot at corner and how he progresses will dictate what he’s taught.

For a related story, these players are candidates to be WVU’s breakout performers in 2024.