MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The evolution of West Virginia defensive end Jeffery Pooler has been something to behold over the last five years, and his changes in numbers throughout his career tell a deeper story.
Before transferring to Dunbar High in Dayton, Ohio, Pooler wore No. 9 through his first three years of high school, but the single No. 9 uniform at Dunbar didn’t quite fit.
“My favorite number was 9, but when I transferred for my senior year, No. 9 was just too small — I couldn’t get in it,” he said. “I had to choose No. 13.”
As a high school prospect, Pooler weighed 292 pounds and was recruited as an inside defensive lineman. When he got to WVU, he was given a number to fit that mold, especially for any newcomer. As a true freshman in 2016, he wore No. 98, followed by No. 95 as a redshirt freshman.
As his career went on, though, a more slimmed down Pooler moved from defensive tackle to defensive end, and along with the move outside came a smaller number. Finally, he earned the right to wear No. 13 again in 2018 and 2019 as his role with the Mountaineers increased.
Now, as a redshirt senior, Pooler’s back to wearing his favorite number — No. 9 — and this time, he didn’t have any issues fitting into it. Over the course of five seasons, Pooler’s lost 42 pounds and is one of the unsung heroes of WVU’s defensive line.
While the Stills brothers, Darius and Dante, pick up many of the accolades, Pooler is shining at defensive end, tallying six tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble through six games.
“If you watch film on Jeff and the things he’s doing that probably get overshadowed a little bit by Darius and Dante, and even Akheem (Mesidor) to a certain extent, Jeff is playing really good football right now,” defensive line coach Jordan Lesley said. “It’s really because he’s playing hard.”
Lesley said effort can overcome scheme most of the time, and Pooler doesn’t believe effort has ever been a problem for him. Getting comfortable as an outside pass rusher opposed to an inside block collector is one of the biggest keys.
“When you’re inside, the guy you’re trying to get past and defeat is right in front of you. It’s always quick right at the snap of the ball,” Pooler said. “At the defensive end position, the (offensive) tackle kicks back so you get into a little stride so use your work-in moves on those type of guys. It’s a little different, especially in the pass-rush game. I just think it’s a lot faster inside.”
The Mountaineers needed Pooler to step up this season with his primary backup, Taijh Alston, on the mend again with an Achilles injury. It was expected in fall camp Pooler and Alston would split reps at defensive end, and while Alston could be back for the last couple games of the season, he’s been out all year.
Pooler said he never felt added pressure and did his job the way he expected anyway, but the young defensive linemen such as Mesidor, Jalen Thornton, Sean Martin and Jordan Jefferson have come along and helped with depth.
“That’s a good group of young guys,” Pooler said. “You see a lot of them playing early as true freshman like Akheem. Jalen had a great camp, Jordan Jefferson played a lot last year. Sean Martin’s a huge kid, he just doesn’t even know how to use all his size right now. He knocks people around and I really don’t know how.
“That class there? All they can do is get better. They’re young and coach Lesley is a great coach, so I like what I’ve seen from those guys this year.”
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