WVU DL Named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week for Individual Play Against Pitt

Despite coming off a tough loss to Pitt in the 2024 Backyard Brawl, one WVU player did receive some individual recognition to start the new week. West Virginia defensive lineman T.J. Jackson was named the Big 12’s Newcomer of the Week.

Jackson recorded six tackles, four tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks in his first start as a Mountaineer on Saturday. Jackson was moved into the starting lineup to replace the injured Eddie Vesterinen.

⭐️ 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝟏𝟐 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤: @SEHSTJ51

🔹 6 tackles
🔹 4 TFLs
🔹 1.5 sacks pic.twitter.com/vPhpAraRhH

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) September 16, 2024

The WVU coaching staff believes they landed a steal in Jackson as a transfer, and it’s clear that opinion is shared by some in the national media.

PFF ranked Jackson as one of their highest graded defensive transfers in the offseason. They awarded Jackson with a grade of 89.7, tying him with Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds for third on their list. Jackson was also the highest graded player at his position, ranking well ahead of other defensive tackles.

Jackson moved on from Troy after four years and 91 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. The 6-foot-1, 262-pound edge rusher helped lead the Trojans to back-to-back conference titles and was named an All-Sun Belt first-team player in 2022. He posted 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks that season.

He’s taking the same path as some of his new coaches by going from Troy to West Virginia, namely his head coach Neal Brown and defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley. Jackson said his relationship with Lesley and his desire to play for Brown is what led to his decision to transfer to WVU.

Jackson’s signing came only a week after his visit and then commitment to the Mountaineers.

WV Sports Now reached out to the defensive end after he posted a cryptic emoji of a lock on X (Twitter) while on campus. Jackson told WVSN that he decided to make his visit a a two-day trip because he was enjoying himself so much.

“Loving it out here. Love the coaches and how they’re treating me and my family,” said Jackson about his visit.

WVU was the first program to send an offer to Jackson after he made his plans to transfer known on Dec. 28. Boston College, Houston, Indiana, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and even Jacksonville State.

Jackson did have to serve a three-game suspension to start the 2023 season for a violation of team rules.

For a related story, WVU DL T.J. Jackson admitted to being surprised by Pitt QB Eli Holstein scrambling.