Penn State-West Virginia: Former Lion player, targets, top Mountaineers' preseason depth chart

Penn State travels to West Virginia to open the 2024 season. Kickoff is set for Noon ET on FOX. Talking season is here ahead of preseason camp. The Big 12 starts what will ultimately be three weeks of media days for conferences across the country. Mountaineers coach Neal Brown will speak on Wednesday alongside quarterback Garrett Greene, defensive lineman Sean Martin, defensive back Aubrey Burks, and offensive tackle Wyatt Milum. It will be the first chance to hear from the program this summer ahead of preseason camp. And, while that won’t happen until July 10, today did bring new information with it: The preseason WVU depth chart.

“From a simple football point, we want to be a team that is disciplined, strains, is tough and is smart,” Brown said this spring. “All of those traits take absolutely no talent. We have things that we do from our winter program to spring ball, to summer, into fall camp and the season that we are working on that identity of who we have to be to be successful.”

Numerous former Penn State recruiting targets make Brown’s two-deep, along with a one-time Nittany Lion player who left the program via the transfer portal. We break down both sides of the ball in an early preview of the Aug. 31 Week 1 clash below.

Sizing up the West Virginia offense

Greene and Milum lead the WVY offense. The former has totaled 3,070 passing yards, 1,370 rushing yards and 43 total touchdowns so far for the Mountaineers as he enters his senior season. Milum is the team’s returning left tackle and an All-Big 12 preseason team pick. Brown’s attack, which is directed by coordinator Chad Scott, has much to replace up front. The right side will be totally new as last year’s tackle starter Doug Nester is off to the NFL while first-team right guard Brandon Yates is sliding in to center. That leaves Nick Malone (6-foot-1, 301 pounds) and Ja’Quan Hubard (6-5, 322) to fill those slots, respectively. Tomas Rimic (6-6, 315) does return at left guard.

We did bury the lede here a bit, as it’s no secret that most Penn State fans will be focused on the program’s first-team ‘H’ receiver. That spot belongs to former Nittany Lion target and Pa., native Rodney Gallagher. The former four-star had just 10 catches for 74 yards last season but is primed for a bigger role this fall.

Last but not least, WVU returns its top two rushers from a season ago. Jaheim White and CJ Donaldson combined for 1,690 yards on the ground last season and 15 touchdowns.

Former Penn State player makes Mountaineers’ starting defense

Former Penn State defensive tackle Fatorma Mulbah was a role player for the West Virginia defense in 2023. This year, he is listed as the program’s starting nose tackle. He made 25 tackles (three for loss) over 13 games last season. There is an OR designation listed between Mulbah and Hammond Russel IV. But, Mulbah leads the way. The Mountaineers have no preseason All-Big 12 team picks on defense. Safety Anthony Wilson Jr., is the leading returner from a snap perspective. Linebacker Ben Cutter is the returning leading tackler. But, he’s behind Pa., native Josiah Trotter at the WILL linebacker spot. Though, there is an OR designation there as well.

What stands out the most about the preseason West Virginia depth chart on defense is all of the lost production. Just five starters return for coordinator Jordan Lesley. And, 11 of the program’s 19 lost lettermen are on that side of the ball, as well.

Last but not least, kicker Michael Hayes and punter Oliver Straw both return. Hayes’ 17 of 21 field goal mark was second in the Big 12 a year ago. Straw was mid-pack in the conference in average yards per punt and fair catches forced.

Click here to see the Mountaineers’ full depth chart.