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West Virginia football: 5 breakout candidates for 2021 season

By Phil Poling

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Reese Smith #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball for a two-point conversion in the second half against the Army Black Knights at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Mountaineers defeated the Black Knights 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Reese Smith #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball for a two-point conversion in the second half against the Army Black Knights at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Mountaineers defeated the Black Knights 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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STILLWATER, OK – SEPTEMBER 26: Offensive lineman Josh Sills #72 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys recovers a fumble by running back Chuba Hubbard #30 against cornerback Alonzo Addae #4 and defensive lineman Jalen Thornton #52 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at the end of the third quarter on September 26, 2020 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 27-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – SEPTEMBER 26: Offensive lineman Josh Sills #72 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys recovers a fumble by running back Chuba Hubbard #30 against cornerback Alonzo Addae #4 and defensive lineman Jalen Thornton #52 of the West Virginia Mountaineers at the end of the third quarter on September 26, 2020 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 27-13. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

DL. Sophomore. 3. 877. Pick Analysis. Jalen Thornton. player. Scouting Report

After watching last year’s unit earn the No. 1 defensive ranking from the sideline, Jalen Thornton could step into a bigger role this year with key departures in the trenches.

Defensive tackle Darius Stills (25 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one interception) made the leap to the league and defensive end Jeffery Pooler (23 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks) transferred to Northwestern following the season. Thornton isn’t slated for a starting role just yet, but he is moving up the depth chart.

Akheem Mesidor used this blueprint last season — work hard, wait for an opportunity, then make an impact. And after totaling just five tackles as a freshman, Thornton will look to replicate Mesidor’s 2020 campaign.

Thornton’s father, John, was a standout West Virginia defensive lineman in the late 1990s. He started every game his final three seasons for the Mountaineers, even earning All-Big East honors twice. I’m not going to heap those sort of expectations on a player coming off a four-game, five-tackle season, but Jalen is a talented prospect that, if given the opportunity, could blossom into a key cog for the West Virginia defense.

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