WVU Safety Kamari Wilson Explains Why ‘Hard Edge’ Sold Him on West Virginia

An embodiment of the current era of the sport, Kamari Wilson finds himself apart of the WVU football program after spending time at three different programs.

Wilson decided to transfer to West Virginia in January, moving on from Memphis following one year with the Tigers. Prior to his shift down the Group of 5 level, Wilson started his college career with two seasons, including a redshirt year, at Florida and also played in the Big 12 previously during the 2024 season with Arizona State.

Speaking for the first time publicly since his arrival in Morgantown, Wilson opened up about what made him pick WVU as the right place to finish his college career.

“It’s the hard edge culture. It’s hard edge mentality,” said Wilson when asked why he joined Rich Rodriguez after a fall camp practice.

“Just from a young age and growing up where I came from, Fort Pierce, Florida, that standard is something I live by and was held to my whole life. That’s another reason why I came here. I wanted to be challenged. Just like Rich Rod says, the better man you are, the better football player you are, and that’s very important for me.”

He then elaborated even further when pressed for reasons beyond learning from Rodriguez and experiencing his culture.

“I would say that’s definitely a big reason why I know that West Virginia is the best place for me because I feel like every place I went and played in the schemes is just like all in one, and there’s similar things that I do that I already did before, so it’s really nothing different for me, just a different name,” he explained.

Wilson also understands there’s pressure that comes with being a veteran on a revamped secondary in an important season for Rodriguez, but also his new defensive coordinator, Zac Alley, as well.

In 2025, he recorded 84 total tackles, 45 solo stops, four pass deflections, a sack, and a pair of forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. He posted 11 tackles in 2024 with the Sun Devils, providing some brief Big 12 experience, and made 40 tackles in two years with the Gators in the SEC.

Wilson was a four-star prospect out of high school.

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