Kamari Wilson’s path to West Virginia has been anything but linear, and that’s exactly why he says Morgantown feels right.
The safety has already bounced from Florida to Arizona State to Memphis before landing with the Mountaineers, and he’s embraced the grind that comes with constantly having to adjust. For Wilson, the move to WVU wasn’t just about football. It was about finding a place that matched the standard he already lives by.
“It’s the hard edge culture. It’s hard edge mentality," Wilson responded when asked how the adversity through constant change has helped shape him.
"Just from a young age and growing up where I came from, Fort Pierce, Florida, that standard is something I live by and was held to my whole life. That’s another reason why I came here.
I wanted to be challenged. Just like Rich Rod says, the better man you are, the better football player you are, and that’s very important for me."
That background has also made him a natural fit for Zac Alley’s defense. Wilson has played in multiple systems and handled different responsibilities along the way, so the transition to West Virginia hasn’t felt like learning from scratch. In his eyes, the pieces of what he’s done before are already showing up in this scheme.
“I would say that’s definitely a big reason why I know that West Virginia is the best place for me because I feel like every place I went and played in the schemes is just like all in one, and there’s similar things that I do that I already did before, so it’s really nothing different for me, just a different name."
At WVU, he’s expected to spend most of his time as the box safety, though he can also line up at free safety. Rich Rodriguez made it clear Wednesday that the staff likes what it has seen so far.
“Kamari is going to be a really good player," WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez stated. "He’s one of those guys that’s got a lot of experience.
He’s played really good football. It’s been a seamless transition for him here.
It feels like he’s been around forever because he’s got a great personality and guys gravitate to him. I’ve been really pleased with how he’s played since he’s been here.”
What stood out most from Wilson’s time at the podium, though, was the way he described the atmosphere around the program. With more than 80 newcomers on the roster, that kind of early connection matters, and Wilson says this group already feels different.
“The thing about West Virginia is this is the closest team I’ve ever been a part of. It doesn’t feel like we’re just a bunch of transfers playing just to play.
It feels like a family here. From coaches to janitors to cooks, we know everyone’s name, we talk to everyone, and it’s just like a big family."
That kind of chemistry doesn’t solve everything, but it’s a strong sign for a roster still coming together. With plenty of time left before the season, West Virginia appears to be building something solid in the offseason and fall camp.
In Other News...
WVU Brings Back A Home Game Perk Fans Will Appreciate
Mountaineer fans heading back to Milan Puskar Stadium this fall will find a familiar perk waiting for them at the concession stands. WVU Athletics has announced the return of Fan First concession pricing on select items and stand locations for home football games, with popcorn, small bottled water, fountain drinks and pepperoni rolls among the offerings available at designated spots around the stadium.
The school is also bringing back the Coca-Cola Season Ticket Holder Deal of the Game, another game-day benefit aimed at rewarding the fans who have committed for the full home slate. The deal will again give season ticket holders discounts on concessions and at the WVU Team Shop, a small but welcome touch as the Mountaineers look to make the stadium experience a little easier on the wallet. [Read more 🡒]
WVUs Next Roster Decision Could Bring Back Two Familiar Veterans
West Virginias roster picture still has a little room to shift as fall approaches, and two familiar veterans are back in the mix. The program said tight end Jacob Barrick and cornerback Jason Chambers are taking part in team activities while WVU waits on a legal decision that could affect whether players from the 2022 class can claim a fifth year of eligibility.
For the Mountaineers, the timing matters because the staff is already managing roster space with an eye on possible additions. WVU has two open spots available, and the plan is not to clear room by cutting anyone loose, even as the team keeps one eye on the transfer portal and another on the outcome of the eligibility ruling. [Read more 🡒]
West Virginias Rebuilt Defense Faces Early Test Up Front
West Virginias defense is entering preseason practice with a very different look, and the biggest changes are up front. The Mountaineers have almost completely remade their two-deep defensive roster, bringing in junior college and FBS additions at defensive line and bandit while also leaning on a few experienced returnees who could be pushed into bigger roles.
Rich Rodriguez said the roster turnover is part of the reality of this reset as camp and scrimmages get underway, and it puts the early spotlight on how quickly the new pieces can mesh. For a unit trying to establish itself before the season starts, the first few weeks up front will tell a lot about whether the rebuild is ahead of schedule or still very much a work in progress. [Read more 🡒]