MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Moments ago, West Virginia just got a lot better on the offensive line as Rich Rodriguez continues to beef up the Mountaineers´offensive front. Earlier today, Donovan Haslem, a 6´4 330 pound lineman from Austin Peay, announced his committment. Now, Ayden Bussell, a 6´5 300 pound inside offensive lineman from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, announced that he has signed to play for the West Virginia Mountaineers!
Bussell recently entered the transfer portal after playing last season with the Tennessee Volunteers. A consensus three star recruit out of high school, Bussell was vying for guard position in crowded competition during Spring practice, but the arrival of Arizona transfer Wendell Moe and Notre Dame transfer Sam Pendleton buried him further down the depth chart, and so he decided to transfer. Having redshirted last season, Bussell will have four full years of eligibility remaining.
According to the official Tennessee Volunteers football website:
CAREER HONORS
2023 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
2023 – FRESHMAN
Earned a redshirt in his first season … Did not see any game action.
HIGH SCHOOL
A promising in-state offensive lineman from the midstate area … Enrolled at Tennessee in June 2023 … Was the top offensive lineman for Mount Juliet High School as a senior, helping lead the Golden Bears to a 9-3 overall record and a region championship in 2022 … Rated as a three-star prospect by all major recruiting services … Rated a top 20 prospect in the state of Tennessee by 247Sports (No. 19) and On3 (No. 19) … Was the No. 51 interior offensive line prospect by 247Sports and No. 55 by On3 … Named the 2022 Region 5-5A Offensive Lineman MVP after helping Mount Juliet rush for over 2,500 yards and average 10.6 yards per carry when running in his direction … A two-time preseason All-State selection (2021 & 2022) who did not allow a single sack in his final three seasons … Has over 150 career pancakes and is the highest-graded offensive lineman in school history … A four-time Academic Honor Roll selection … Also was a member of the Golden Bears track and field team … Committed to the Vols in January 2022 … Coached by Trey Perry.¨
Following the Gold/Blue Spring game, new West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez expressed major concern over multiple positions on his current roster, but he seemed to be especially bothered by the play on the offensive line.
“The offensive line, all the starters are gone, and I think three of the backups are gone, so none of those guys have played,” Rodriguez said. “So, that’s a whole new thing. Offensive line coach Jack Bicknell and (assistant offensive line) coach (Derek) Dressler and them probably have the hardest job just getting those guys ready. I still think we need – I don’t know if we’re deep enough and have the competition we have yet, but I think they’re trying hard and made progress. But anytime you have, at that position, a lot of inexperience, it makes you a little bit nervous.”
Since then, Rodriguez added has done everything in power to load up on tough, experienced offensive lineman in the transfer portal. Malik Agbo, a former four star offensive lineman for the Texas Longhorns, committed to play for the Mountaineers and will likely start for West Virginia immediately. Last week, Josh Aisosa, a 6’3 325 pound offensive lineman who played for the Oklahoma Sooners, committed as well and he will add immediate depth to the line. And earlier this week, Carson Lee, a 6’3 320 pound offensive lineman, transferred from Mississippi State to West Virginia.
