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West Virginia Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 03: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first half of the game at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia defeated Missouri 26-11. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 03: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first half of the game at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia defeated Missouri 26-11. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 12: Shane Buechele #7 of the Texas Longhorns runs past Adam Shuler #88 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at Darrell K Royal -Texas Memorial Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Austin. Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 12: Shane Buechele #7 of the Texas Longhorns runs past Adam Shuler #88 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at Darrell K Royal -Texas Memorial Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Austin. Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starting ends: Adam Shuler II, Reese Donahue
Backups: Jon Lewis, Ezekiel Rose

Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson didn’t have the best defensive last season, ranking 60th against the run and 75th in total yards allowed, but he had solid pieces. Unfortunately, he’s tasked with replacing his entire defensive line in his 3-3-5 scheme.

Adam Shuler II looks to take over as a sophomore end following a breakout freshman season in which he had 34 tackles, two for loss and a sack. He also had two forced fumbles and was a force in the trenches. Fellow sophomore Reese Donahue looks to get the nod at the other end spot after a relatively quiet freshman campaign. Both have high upsides, but being first-year starters causes concern.

Jon Lewis, a senior, and Ezekiel Rose, a junior, will play the backup roles. The latter is a JUCO transfer from Netflix series Last Chance U’s East Mississippi Community College. Not much experience at the two end spots.

Starting tackle: Xavier Pegues
Backup: Jaleel Fields

Finally getting his shot to contribute at the FBS level, senior tackle Xavier Pegues enters the 2017 season with high hopes. Another JUCO transfer, Pegues has yet to play a snap at the Division 1 level but his 6-foot-2, 292-pound frame is perfect for a cog in the middle of the defense. Junior Jaleel Fields is back after missing the entire 2016 season with an injury.

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