Last week, I wrote about West Virginia football’s 21st-century all-offensive team and assigned them video game ratings. This week, we will be taking a look at the defensive side of the field. Read more: What’s Their Overall? Rating WVU’s 21st Century All-Defensive Team
If you are unaware of how this works, popular sports video games like “EA Sports College Football” give players overall ratings based on their specific attributes. They are also given a base overall rating that determines how good they are as a whole.
Before we get started, it’s important to note that video game developers and people in the real world differ in how they rate players. For this example, I will try to provide a middle ground approach with my ratings.
Rating WVU’s 21st Century All-Defensive Team
Since we have already determined that Rich Rodriguez will be coaching this team, it’s only right that this defense is built around his staple 3-3-5 defense.
Defensive Line: Darius Stills (84 OVR), Bruce Irvin (89 OVR) and Dante Stills (85 OVR)
Handling the nose tackle duties for this team will be West Virginia native Darius Stills. During his time at WVU, Stills was known as a stout, dominating force on the line. Because of this, one of his key ratings would be a 90 overall in strength.
Former 1st round pick Bruce Irvin will handle one of the defensive end duties. Whether he was lined up as a defensive lineman or a linebacker, Irvin consistently punished quarterbacks when they dropped back to pass. His 91 overall pass rushing is evident in his 22.5 sacks with the Mountaineers.
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The final piece of the line will be the other Stills brother, Dante. Similar to his brother, Dante was dominant on the line for the Mountaineers. Slightly more athletic than Darius, Dante earns an 86 rating in block shedding.
Linebackers: Grant Wiley (88 OVR), J.T. Thomas (82 OVR) and David Long Jr. (86 OVR)
Moving onto the linebacking core, former Big East Defensive Player of the Year Grant Wiley will be learning the way at middle linebacker. One of the most productive players in WVU history, Wiley would have a 93 overall tackling rating.
J.T. Thomas will man one of the outside linebacker positions. While not one of the flashiest players to come through the program, Thomas was efficient in all areas as a linebacker. I would give him an 85 overall rating in the tackling department.
The final linebacker spot will go to David Long Jr. While at WVU, Long proved he was one of the top linebackers in the nation, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. Known for his speed at the position, Long would boast an 89 overall in that category.
Secondary
CB: Adam “Pacman” Jones (90 OVR)
You can’t make this type of list without including one of the best players to step foot in Morgantown. Pacman was simply a playmaker. Whether he was grabbing interceptions or returning touchdowns in special teams. his speed is what made him special, and because of that, he will have a 95 overall rating.
CB: Daryl Worley (85 OVR)
Worley is another cornerback for WVU who was highly efficient during his time. Constantly shutting down receivers and making plays, he was known for his excellent ball-hawking skills. One rating that I would give Worley is an 88 rating in man coverage.
CB: Keith Tandy (85 OVR)
Similarly, Tandy was a solid four-year contributor to WVU’s defense. With a nose for the ball and a high football intelligence, Tandy finished his collegiate career with 13 interceptions. Known for always being the right spot, he would boast an 88 awareness rating.
Safety: Karl Joseph (89 OVR)
One of the premier players to come through West Virginia is the hard-hitting safety Karl Joseph. He was one of the most feared players when he played, punishing players with his back-breaking tackles. A 95 overall hit power is without question for Joseph.
Safety: Jahmile Addae (86 OVR)
While he’s widely known now as one of the great up-and-coming coaches, Addae’s playing career at WVU was nothing short of productive. Not one to post the eye-popping stats, Addae made his mark as the captain of the defense. He was the vocal leader that every great defense needs. With that, he earns a 90 overall awareness.
The Impact of This Team
With all the stars on this team, it’s no question that this would be quite the test for opposing offenses. Everywhere you look, you have players who can make you pay in a number of ways.
On the line, you have stout run defense with Darius Stills, then intimidating pass rushers in Irvin and Dante Stills. And if you are able to get past that group, you have to face the tackling machines of Wiley and Thomas. Long would provide valuable speed in hawking down running backs.
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Don’t think you’ll be able to pass against this team either. All three cornerbacks provide shutdown defense while being able to take advantage of quarterback mistakes. Then you have Joseph, the daunting force in the middle, who is ready to punish any receiver trying to make a catch. And all that is being led by the quarterback of the defense, Jahmile Addae.
Closing Thoughts
And with that, the 21st-century All-Defensive team for WVU is complete. It’s tough to match the star power the offense has, but this defense is just as dominating.
The offense may bring the style points, but this defense would leave opposing offenses questioning why they even suited up to play.
What’s Their Overall? Rating WVU’s 21st Century All-Defensive Team
