End of Football careers
4 months 1 day ago - 4 months 1 day ago #434
by wvu4u2
End of Football careers was created by wvu4u2
Thornton, Bartlett likely completed their WVU careers; they went out on a high note
by Greg Hunter BlueGoldNews.com Dec 28,
Frank Salucci/BlueGoldNews.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nine West Virginia seniors definitely played in the final game of their college careers Wednesday in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Three other Mountaineers who were also in Charlotte for the 30-10 victory over North Carolina have likely played their last game with WVU as well.
All-American center Zach Frazier was restricted to the sidelines Wednesday night because of a leg injury he suffered in the regular-season finale at Baylor. The fourth-year junior does have a year of college eligibility remaining, but as a projected high-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, the Fairmont native is going to move on to the professional ranks in 2024.
Two WVU defenders who also have a year of college eligibility remaining are not expected back at West Virginia next season either, though both went out with very strong performances against the Tar Heels, helping the Mountaineers complete a 9-4 campaign.
Bandit linebacker Jared Bartlett and defensive lineman Jalen Thornton each spent five years at WVU, and both already have earned their bachelor’s degrees. Because they each redshirted as true freshmen in 2019 and then participated in the eligibility-free COVID year of 2020, they do have a sixth year of college eligibility remaining in 2024.
It appears they both will be moving on to the next chapter, though.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise, as each participated in the Senior Day ceremony during West Virginia’s home finale last month,
Bartlett started all 13 games this season for the Mountaineers at bandit, and over the course of the past four years, he played in 50 games, starting 26 of them. The Collins Hill (Ga.) High alum had 135 career total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks while at WVU, including six tackles, two TFLs and a sack against North Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 236-pounder could potentially test the NFL waters, where his older brother, Stephon Tuitt, had an productive eight-year career, or Bartlett could possibly enter the transfer portal to spend his final collegiate season at another school. (Editor's note: On Friday Bartlett announced his entrance into the transfer portal.)
While WVU will likely have to find its own portal help to assist in filling Bartlett’s shoes at bandit, his backup at that position most of this past season, Tyrin Bradley, does have a year of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-2, 251-pound former transfer from Abilene Christian played in 12 games for West Virginia in ‘23, recording 23 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In Wednesday’s bowl win, Bradley recorded three tackles and turned in one of the game’s most spectacular plays, dropping into coverage and leaping high for a one-handed interception, then returning it 24 yards.
A 6-foot-2, 277-pound defensive lineman, Thornton followed the path to West Virginia that had previously been charted by his father, John Thornton. The elder Thornton is a member of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame, who went on to play 10 years in the NFL and is now a very successful agent for professional athletes.
Holding a degree from WVU in sport management, Jalen proved to be an outstanding player in his own right. He played in 44 games in his West Virginia career, including all 13 this past season when he rotated in regularly at defensive tackle. He had a career-best 14 tackles and three sacks in ’23, including four stops and 1.5 sacks in the bowl victory.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Jalen follows his father again, moving into an occupation where he helps manage the careers of professional athletes.
See more at Exponent telegram
by Greg Hunter BlueGoldNews.com Dec 28,
Frank Salucci/BlueGoldNews.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nine West Virginia seniors definitely played in the final game of their college careers Wednesday in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Three other Mountaineers who were also in Charlotte for the 30-10 victory over North Carolina have likely played their last game with WVU as well.
All-American center Zach Frazier was restricted to the sidelines Wednesday night because of a leg injury he suffered in the regular-season finale at Baylor. The fourth-year junior does have a year of college eligibility remaining, but as a projected high-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft, the Fairmont native is going to move on to the professional ranks in 2024.
Two WVU defenders who also have a year of college eligibility remaining are not expected back at West Virginia next season either, though both went out with very strong performances against the Tar Heels, helping the Mountaineers complete a 9-4 campaign.
Bandit linebacker Jared Bartlett and defensive lineman Jalen Thornton each spent five years at WVU, and both already have earned their bachelor’s degrees. Because they each redshirted as true freshmen in 2019 and then participated in the eligibility-free COVID year of 2020, they do have a sixth year of college eligibility remaining in 2024.
It appears they both will be moving on to the next chapter, though.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise, as each participated in the Senior Day ceremony during West Virginia’s home finale last month,
Bartlett started all 13 games this season for the Mountaineers at bandit, and over the course of the past four years, he played in 50 games, starting 26 of them. The Collins Hill (Ga.) High alum had 135 career total tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks while at WVU, including six tackles, two TFLs and a sack against North Carolina. The 6-foot-2, 236-pounder could potentially test the NFL waters, where his older brother, Stephon Tuitt, had an productive eight-year career, or Bartlett could possibly enter the transfer portal to spend his final collegiate season at another school. (Editor's note: On Friday Bartlett announced his entrance into the transfer portal.)
While WVU will likely have to find its own portal help to assist in filling Bartlett’s shoes at bandit, his backup at that position most of this past season, Tyrin Bradley, does have a year of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-2, 251-pound former transfer from Abilene Christian played in 12 games for West Virginia in ‘23, recording 23 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In Wednesday’s bowl win, Bradley recorded three tackles and turned in one of the game’s most spectacular plays, dropping into coverage and leaping high for a one-handed interception, then returning it 24 yards.
A 6-foot-2, 277-pound defensive lineman, Thornton followed the path to West Virginia that had previously been charted by his father, John Thornton. The elder Thornton is a member of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame, who went on to play 10 years in the NFL and is now a very successful agent for professional athletes.
Holding a degree from WVU in sport management, Jalen proved to be an outstanding player in his own right. He played in 44 games in his West Virginia career, including all 13 this past season when he rotated in regularly at defensive tackle. He had a career-best 14 tackles and three sacks in ’23, including four stops and 1.5 sacks in the bowl victory.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Jalen follows his father again, moving into an occupation where he helps manage the careers of professional athletes.
See more at Exponent telegram
Last edit: 4 months 1 day ago by wvu4u2.
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