MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia defense, under normal circumstances, would likely be under a “rebuild” identity this offseason, but with the NCAA’s decision to freeze eligibility, two senior starters from a unit that ranked in the top 10 nationally announced their intent to come back in 2021.
Safety Alonzo Addae said a few weeks ago he was returning, but defensive end Jeffery Pooler announced Monday night he was going to make another run with the Mountaineers, who are coming off a 6-4 season, culminating in a bowl win over Army on Dec. 31.
“2020 has been a crazy year to say the least, starting out with COVID and other adversity that my team and I have faced this season,” Pooler tweeted. “I feel there is still some unfinished business and that’s not how I want to close out my collegiate career.
“With that being said, I decided to take advantage of my extra year of eligibility and return for the 2021 season.”
Pooler appeared in 38 games since 2017 and started 17, including all 10 this season. He has 52 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles and 12 1/2 tackles for loss in his career, including three sacks and 6 1/2 TFLs in 2020.
Pooler’s return will help depth along the defensive front, which lost All-American nose tackle Darius Stills, who opted into the 2021 NFL Draft. However, Stills’ brother Dante is back, as well Freshman All-American Akheem Mesidor. Combined, Dante Stills, Pooler and Mesidor combined for 10 sacks in 10 games.
Addae transferred from New Hampshire prior to the 2019 season and sat out that season, but in his lone year as a starter at free safety for the Mountaineers, he made an impact. He finished with 66 tackles, two interceptions and five pass-breakups.
Addae started in place of Kerry Martin, who sat out this season due to heath concerns over COVID-19, but Martin is expected to be back in the fold this year, adding another depth piece to the secondary.
Defensively, Darius Stills and linebacker Tony Fields are the only starters confirmed not to return. Safety Sean Mahone has not made his intentions known, and head coach Neal Brown said he had discussions with several seniors who will be back, but were waiting for them to announce their own intentions publicly.
Kicker Evan Staley was the first to announce he was using his extra year of eligibility.
Two additions made to coaching staff
With graduate assistants Tyler Orlosky and Julian Miller on their way out, the Mountaineers added two, including a familiar name.
Jake Casteel, the son of former WVU defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel, was named a defensive assistant after spending this season at Boise State. Casteel lived in Morgantown and played at University High until his sophomore season while his father coached at WVU, but moved when his dad accepted a job at the University of Arizona with Rich Rodriguez.
While in Arizona, Casteel was named first team all-state in high school and went on to have a successful career as a linebacker at Northern Arizona.
Jeff Casteel was on WVU’s staff last season as an outside linebackers coach, but is not currently under contract for next season.
Jens Danielsen is the new offensive assistant, coming to WVU after spending two seasons at Baylor. He has a connection with current offensive line coach Matt Moore, who was Danielsen’s position coach as a player at Louisiana Tech from 2012-14.
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