The West Virginia Mountaineers football team has bolstered its pass rush by landing a commitment from edge rusher Devin Grant, formerly of Incarnate Word.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 pounds, Grant received an offer from West Virginia on April 29 and ultimately chose the Mountaineers over other programs including UConn, James Madison, North Texas, Louisiana Tech, FAU, Charlotte, and New Mexico State. He visited Morgantown officially over the past weekend.
A native of Texas, Grant spent the last two seasons at Incarnate Word, where he steadily improved. In 2023, he posted 13 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. He followed that up with a standout season, recording 31 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. Before transferring to Incarnate Word, Grant began his collegiate career at Colorado in 2020. Over three seasons with the Buffaloes, he appeared in 15 games, totaling 28 tackles and 5 tackles for loss.
Grant entered the transfer portal on April 25 and has one year of eligibility remaining.
According to WVSports.com, Grant brings valuable experience to WVU’s defensive front. Over his college career, he’s played 1,107 snaps, including 566 in pass-rushing situations and 514 against the run, along with limited coverage duty (27 snaps). He played a career-high 546 snaps last season, earning a solid 77.5 grade from Pro Football Focus, including a 71.0 mark as a pass rusher. He registered 8 sacks and 21 quarterback hurries in 2023 alone.
Versatility is a key strength for Grant. He’s lined up both as an edge defender and as an outside linebacker, providing flexibility for WVU’s defensive schemes. His time at both the Power Five (Colorado) and FCS levels (Incarnate Word) gives him a well-rounded background.
With pass rushing being a continual need, Grant’s arrival should provide an immediate boost, likely contributing as a rotational edge player. Though WVU previously added help at the position in Jimmori Robinson and JUCO transfers, Grant is the first post-spring portal acquisition. The staff prioritized him quickly after he entered the portal and brought him to campus to finalize the fit.
While Grant’s addition helps fill a need, West Virginia is expected to continue seeking more pass rushers. In today’s game, depth at edge rusher is invaluable and there’s always room for more.
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