The path Lee Kpogba took to get where he is now, one coach Neal Brown described as having “no silver spoon,” wouldn’t lead you to believe he’d be in a prime position to start at middle linebacker for West Virginia in 2022. But that’s exactly his reality in fall training camp.
Kpogba was born in Ghana, while his family hails from Liberia. They lived in a refugee camp before receiving an opportunity to move to the United States during the Liberian civil war. Kpogba was 2 years old, and he neither remembers anything from his time in Africa nor has he been back since.
He originally committed to West Virginia out of high school, but Kpogba decommitted later on and wound up starting his college football career at Syracuse. He played two seasons for the Orange, contributing heavily on special teams and beginning to find his way into the linebacker rotation. Prior to the start of his third year, though, Kpogba was suspended indefinitely by the university without any indication as to why.
Months later, before he actually had entered the transfer portal, Kpogba was posting pictures of himself visiting other schools on Instagram. He then took his career to junior college, playing one season at East Mississippi Community College, a school made famous for its appearance on Netflix’s “Last Chance U.”
In a full-circle series of events, Kpogba pledged his talents to West Virginia once again in December, joining the team this spring.
He knows where he came from, and he’s admittedly appreciative of the opportunity to be back playing Division I football.
“I always just try to remember to go hard because I got people depending on me,” Kpogba said on Monday. “I'll never try to look at a situation in the worst way. There are always people who are going through worse things in life. Just try to keep that in mind.”
Kpogba is another in a long line of transfers set to help the Mountaineers in 2022, especially on the defensive side of the ball. There’s a big pair of shoes left in the middle of the field he’s tasked with filling, however.
Josh Chandler-Semedo started 31 games over his four-year career with the Mountaineers at the Mike linebacker spot, tallying 260 total tackles, including 110 a year ago. Thanks to the coronavirus-granted extra year of eligibility, Chandler-Semedo could have come back for one more ride, but he instead transferred to Colorado, leaving Kpogba as Brown’s likely best option at the position.
While spring practice served mostly as a learning experience for Kpogba in his third new defensive system, he’s gained about 10 pounds and now said he feels he has a much better understanding of the scheme. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds (and wearing a bright yellow arm sleeve), Kpogba looks physically ready to fill the hole left by Chandler-Semedo.
If his performance at East Mississippi Community College serves as any reference, 84 tackles, two sacks and an all-conference first team selection should mean he’s likely ready to take over talent-wise, too.
And, if Brown needed any more convincing, Kpogba said he’s always been naturally comfortable and vocal in leadership positions, which he’ll certainly need at middle linebacker. It took “about a day,” defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said, for teammates to look at Kpogba as a leader.
In practice, he’s typically one of the first linebackers to reach the next drill alongside fellow starting linebackers Jared Bartlett and Lance Dixon.
“Just like you would look at a quarterback, a guy that’s got a little something about him, it’s the same thing at the Mike linebacker,” Lesley said last week of bringing in a transfer to start at the position. “When you find that, it’s a pretty easy transition because he opens his mouth; other people close their mouth.”
Redshirt sophomore outside linebacker Bartlett said Wednesday that Kpogba’s work ethic is one of his best leadership traits, catching the attention of younger and older players alike. Lesley similarly noted his mentality and coachability, both of which significantly helps the transition period after losing so many contributors from the 2021 defense.
“He loves football, and he’s full of gratitude,” Brown said last week. “He’s so, so appreciative of the opportunity to go out and practice. You can feel the gratitude when he’s out there and the joy, which he plays with.”
Boxing gloves?
Clemson football caught traction on social media the other day for having its defensive backs wear boxing gloves during practice. Yes, boxing gloves.
No, they aren’t used for boxing in practice.
West Virginia did the same thing on Wednesday, having its cornerbacks wear boxing gloves during 1-on-1 drills with the wide receivers. The idea is to keep the defensive backs from being able to use their hands completely, ideally preventing holding questions when game action rolls around.
“It teaches them to play with their feet first and not their hands,” wide receiver Sam James said.
“Luckily, the safeties, we don’t have to do that,” transfer safety Marcis Floyd said, adding the cornerbacks complain about the drill plenty. “But it’ll help them out in the long run. We’re all getting better.”
New Role, Sam(e) James
James is one of the most experienced players on West Virginia’s roster, entering his fifth year with the Mountaineers. After mostly playing as an outside receiver in the past, the 6-foot, 182-pound wideout is spending more time in the slot these days.
James said Wednesday he’s enjoyed his time in the new spot thus far, especially under first-year offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. He’s getting more matchups with linebackers and safeties 1-on-1 rather than running with cornerbacks down the field.
“I'm a fast dude, ... so being able to get that matchup with the linebackers has been great,” James said. “Graham, he dials it up. I'm not gonna lie. He's a smart OC. He knows how to put players in certain spots to be successful.”
In addition to slot receiver, James has been the primary punt and kick returner throughout camp, something he dabbled in at the end of last season. He also did it some in high school, but it’s been awhile, so he’s readjusting now.
Max Ralph: mralph@post-gazette.com and Twitter @maxralph_
First Published: August 11, 2022, 9:30 a.m.