It’s tough for me to keep track of who’s currently on West Virginia’s roster, who’s left, who’s still in high school, and so on—so I can only imagine how confusing it must be for a casual fan to follow all the changes this offseason.
With over 50 players transferring out and nearly 60 coming in, much of the focus has shifted to the experienced newcomers expected to make an immediate impact. Of course, there are always a few freshmen who manage to contribute in their first year. Occasionally, one of them even makes a big impression as a true freshman.
I’m not going to put that kind of pressure or prediction on him just yet, but I do think incoming freshman defensive lineman Taylor Brown has the potential to become a well-known name by the time his college career at West Virginia is over.
What really stands out on film is Brown’s explosiveness off the snap. He has an impressive first step and uses his powerful hands to quickly get into the backfield. While he’s versatile enough to line up across the defensive front, his best fit appears to be between a 3-tech and 5-tech position.
There are several plays on his highlight tape where he looks very comfortable playing at the 4i spot. That said, he doesn’t have the size to play as a true interior lineman, so don’t expect to see him at nose tackle unless he adds significant bulk—which might not be ideal given how much his athleticism is part of his game.
West Virginia lacks proven depth on the defensive line, which opens the door for Brown to potentially get on the field in 2025, provided he picks up the scheme and stays healthy. He’ll also benefit from learning behind Jimmori Robinson, a former AAC Defensive Player of the Year—an ideal mentor for a young talent.
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