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MORGANTOWN -- There's going to be a new man in the middle of the West Virginia football team's defense this fall.
Lee Kpogba, a transfer in from East Mississippi Community College, has received the bulk of the snaps at mike linebacker for the Mountaineers this spring, working closer every day to become the heir apparent to Josh Chandler-Semedo.
While he has not formally locked down the starting role just yet, Kpogba's enthusiasm and mindset are already overtaking his performance on the practice field.
"He enjoys the game -- his love for the game is contagious," inside linebackers coach Jeff Koonz said. "When you watch Lee practice, it takes about three seconds to figure out how much he loves football. That's fun to coach, it's fun to play next to, and you can see that from the other guys."
Kpogba's journey to Morgantown is a winding one, with the former three-star recruit originally signing with Syracuse as part of the 2019 recruiting class. He was the team's top signee, according to 247Sports, and found himself on the field quickly in his first collegiate season.
It wasn't until his second season with the Orange that Kpogba made a major impact, seeing increased snaps as the top reserve among the linebacker corps. He ended the season with 43 total tackles, ranking seventh on the team.
Soon after the 2020 season however, Kpogba was suspended indefinitely from the team. Six months later, he resurfaced on campus at East Mississippi Community College.
In his lone season with the Lions, Kpogba collected 84 tackles and, following the season, was one of the most in-demand defenders seeking a new opportunity.
Now in Morgantown, Kpogba's making the most of his second chance.
"The thing about Lee that's fun is he appreciates being here, he appreciates what we're trying to do as far as the defense and what we're trying to do as far as the program," Koonz said. "He's excited every day he walks in here, and that's something that is exciting for everybody.
"My point is, looking forward, Lee has done a good job thus far embracing this team, embracing this culture and understanding his role in this defense at the position," Koonz continued. He's been a quick study. He's learned really quickly, he's worked really, really hard at it -- by far the best notetaker -- and what he does and how much he studies, how much he's over here on his own and what he does extra has been really impressive, and I'm really proud of him for that."
New additions on special teams drawing eyes
Two Mountaineers -- each in only their first semester at WVU -- are making their presence felt halfway through the spring.
Ollie Straw, a freshman punter from Australia, is making major strides in the competition to replace Tyler Sumpter.
"The thing I've been really pleased [with] is that when he's been in the live settings, he's caught every snap, his launch points have been where they need to be, his operation has been good," Koonz, who doubles as the special teams coordinator, said.
Parker Grothaus, a transfer placekicker from Florida State, has made it a competition for the kicking job versus Casey Legg, last season's starter.
"He's got a big, strong, powerful leg, which is what drew us to him, and he has demonstrated that," Koonz said. "We're really excited about what we can do as spring goes."