WVU’s Edward Vesterinen Earns Academic All-America Honors, Capping Off a Standout Career On and Off the Field
In a sport where grit, strength, and instinct often take center stage, it’s easy to overlook the players who are also putting in elite-level work in the classroom. But West Virginia defensive lineman Edward Vesterinen just reminded us all that excellence doesn’t stop at the sideline.
The Helsinki, Finland native has been named to the College Sports Communicators' Academic All-America Second Team, a prestigious honor that recognizes the top student-athletes in Division I football. Vesterinen is one of just 50 players nationwide to earn a spot on either the First or Second Team - a testament to his commitment not only to the game, but to his academic journey as well.
And make no mistake, this isn’t a case of a player coasting through electives. Vesterinen posted a 3.72 GPA as an undergraduate business major and has maintained a perfect 4.0 in graduate studies in sport management. That kind of academic consistency, paired with the physical toll of major college football, is rare air.
On the field, Vesterinen’s production speaks for itself. He wrapped up the 2025 season with 30 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and two sacks.
He also added two quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery, showing a knack for making disruptive plays in big moments. His performance earned him All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, and he delivered season-high five-tackle games against Ohio, Arizona State, and Texas Tech.
Against Pitt, he turned in one of his most dominant performances - two sacks and two tackles for loss in a rivalry game that always carries extra weight.
Over the course of his career in Morgantown, Vesterinen played in 47 games and started 28, finishing with 97 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 13.5 tackles for loss. He was also named All-Big 12 Honorable Mention back in 2023, showing a steady presence on the Mountaineers’ defensive front.
But what really sets Vesterinen apart is the balance he struck between athletic and academic success. He’s a three-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team selection and a two-time Academic All-District honoree. Now, he adds Academic All-American to his resume - becoming the 32nd Mountaineer ever to earn that distinction, and just the seventh defensive lineman in program history to do so.
That puts him in elite company. We’re talking about names like Sam Huff, Reed Williams, and Oliver Luck - players who left their mark on WVU football both on the field and in the classroom. Vesterinen now joins that legacy, cementing his place among the most well-rounded student-athletes to wear the gold and blue.
He’s also one of just five Big 12 players to be named to the Academic All-America First or Second Team this year, joining Kansas tight end Boden Groen, Arizona State linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, BYU defensive back Tanner Wall, and Texas Tech’s Brice Pollock.
For Vesterinen, it’s a fitting capstone to a career built on consistency, discipline, and a relentless drive to improve - whether it’s in the trenches on a Saturday afternoon or in the classroom on a Tuesday morning.