MORGANTOWN — With the struggles in pass defense, West Virginia is turning to a new pair of cornerbacks looking for relief this week.
Junior Jacolby Spalls and sophomore TJ Crandall are the next men up as the Mountaineers (1-2) get set to host Kansas (1-2) in the first game of Big 12 play this Saturday (noon, ESPN2).
“Some guys are going to get opportunities as long as they stay healthy this week,” WVU coach Neal Brown said. “TJ Crandall is going to play more and Jacolby Spells, who we feel is close to being 100%, is going to play. As far as anybody else, it’s to be determined this week.”
Spells is coming back from an injury he suffered during spring camp. He’s appeared in 21 games the last two seasons without making a start.
“Jacolby has experience, he had a significant injury in the spring and he’s on track,” Brown said. “He’s got experience and he’s made some plays in games.”
Crandall transferred to WVU this offseason after playing in 10 games at Colorado State as a true freshman in 2023.
Spells and Crandall will be taking over for cornerbacks Dontez Fagan, Ayden Garnes and Garnett Hollis, all first-year transfers who have struggled through three games.
“Those are the two main guys at corner that deserve to play and deserve some opportunities to get in the game,” Brown said. “We haven’t played as well as we need to at that position and so I think you need to continue to go out and give guys opportunities in games.”
Brown said the other player pushing for snaps is true freshman Key’on Washington.
“I think it’s to be determined whether it’s this week, but I think he’s a guy that can help us this year,” Brown said.
Jackson Wins Big 12 Award
Defensive lineman TJ Jackson was named the Big 12 newcomer of the week after putting up four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against Pitt on Saturday.
Making his first start of the season in place of the injured Eddie Vesterinen, Jackson started the game strong with a tackle for loss on the first snap and a quarterback pressure on the second.
“I don’t really like to get myself too high or too low,” Jackson said of starting fast. “I’m the type of guy that if I get too high or I’m too low, that’s when I play bad because I don’t focus as I should.”
Jackson leads the Mountaineers in tackles for loss and sacks and his seven TFLs are the most in the Big 12. His 2.5 sacks rank fourth in the conference.
“I feel like I’m doing my job,” Jackson said. “I’m listening to what the coaches are telling me to do and I don’t try to do too much outside of my job.”
Jackson transferred to WVU this offseason following four seasons at Troy. Jackson put up 23 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks with the Trojans.
“The one thing you never question is the effort and the motor that he plays with,” WVU defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said. “That shows up in just about everything that we ask him to do.”
Hall of Fame
WVU will hold its 34th annual Sports Hall of Fame induction on Saturday prior to the game against Kansas.
The 2024 class includes three former Mountaineer football players, Anthony Becht, Rasheed Marshall and Adrian Murrell.
Marshall, who currently serves as WVU’s director of player relations, was a three-year starting quarterback for the team, posting 24 total victories and four bowl appearances from 2001-04.
As a senior, Marshall was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 861 yards and four touchdowns and throwing for 1,886 yards and 19 touchdowns.
“Really proud of and happy for Raseed Marshal” Brown said. “A top-notch human being first and foremost and had a great career here.”
Becht played from 1996-99, finishing his career second among WVU tight ends in receptions (83) and receiving yards (1,178).
Murrell was a two-year starter at running back, putting up 2,097 yards from 1989-92.
Other inductees include Chris Brooks (men’s basketball), Bob Donker (track and field), Better Hushla (swimming), Mark Landers (baseball) and Liz Repella (women’s basketball).
Induction ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. in the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
Injuries
Brown said Monday that Vesterinen is expected to miss most of the rest of the season.
“He’ll be out for a significant time,” Brown said. “Could potentially be back right at the end of the year. He has a redshirt year, so that’s in play too.”
Vesterinen started all 13 games in 2023 and each of the first two games this year.
Linebacker Reid Carrico was hurt against Pitt but is progressing well, according to Brown.
Receiver Preston Fox was held out of practice on Monday as a precautionary measure.
“He’s kind of beat up, I don’t think it’s going to be anything that’s going to keep him out,” Brown said. “I’m going to be careful with him this week.”
