**MORGANTOWN, W.Va. –** The West Virginia University football program is proud to announce the official signing of its winter transfer class, as announced by head coach Neal Brown on Wednesday afternoon.
The 2023 winter transfer class consists of seven student-athletes from various Power Five conferences and beyond, each bringing a wealth of experience and talent to the Mountaineer program.
“We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding student-athletes to the West Virginia University community,” Brown said in a statement. “Each of these individuals has shown incredible dedication and perseverance in their respective journeys, and we are excited to see them bring their skills and passion to our program.”
**Quarterback Transfer:**
* **Drew Plitt** (5’11”, 215 lbs), a graduate transfer from Ball State University, joins the Mountaineers as a quarterback. The Ohio native has started 23 games in his career, throwing for 7,431 yards and 51 touchdowns. Plitt is a dual-threat quarterback with excellent leadership skills and a strong arm.
**Wide Receiver Transfer:**
* **Kendall Joseph** (6’0″, 175 lbs), a transfer from the University of Arkansas, brings his speed and elusiveness to the Mountaineer receiving corps. A versatile player with experience in both the slot and outside receiver positions, Joseph has caught 63 passes for 824 yards in his collegiate career.
**Running Back Transfer:**
* **Omar Cooper Jr.** (5’10”, 190 lbs), a transfer from the University of South Carolina, joins the Mountaineers as a running back. The Georgia native has rushed for 1,044 yards and seven touchdowns in his collegiate career, showcasing his power and agility on the field.
**Defensive Lineman Transfer:**
* **Dakoda Shepley** (6’3″, 285 lbs), a transfer from the University of Hawaii, adds depth and talent to the Mountaineer defensive line. A four-star recruit out of high school, Shepley has started 12 games in his collegiate career, accumulating 13 tackles for loss and three sacks.
**Linebacker Transfer:**
* **Trenton Leslie** (6’2″, 225 lbs), a transfer from the University of Louisville, brings his athleticism and leadership to the Mountaineer linebacker corps. A dynamic player with experience in both coverage and run-stopping situations, Leslie has recorded 43 tackles in his collegiate career.
**Defensive Back Transfer:**
* **Marlon Character** (6’0″, 190 lbs), a transfer from the University of Florida, joins the Mountaineers as a defensive back. A physical player with excellent ball skills, Character has started 14 games in his collegiate career, recording two interceptions and 25 tackles.
**Special Teams Transfer:**
* **Cameron Denson** (5’10”, 180 lbs), a transfer from the University of Arizona, brings his punting expertise to the Mountaineer special teams unit. A four-year letterwinner at Arizona, Denson has averaged 40.8 yards per punt in his collegiate career.
The addition of these talented student-athletes strengthens West Virginia’s roster and provides competition for playing time in various positions. The Mountaineers look forward to welcoming these outstanding athletes to campus and watching them make an impact on the field.
“We are excited to have these talented individuals join our program and become part of the Mountaineer family,” said Brown. “We look forward to seeing them contribute to our team’s success on and off the field.”
