MORGANTOWN -- Forty-five. That's the total number of tackles returning to West Virginia's football defense in 2025.
Mountaineers defensive linemen Asani Redwood, Hammond Russell, Nate Gabriel and Edward Vesterinen recorded tackles in 2024.
Vesterinen only saw action in two games last season, suffering a season-ending lower-leg injury against Albany.
The native of Finland recorded just two tackles in his two appearances last season.
He's had to fight, both mentally and physically, through rehab to prepare for another season with the Mountaineers.
The process has been strenuous, but he is ready to compete.
"A lot of repetitions," Vesterinen said. "[It's] trust yourself again, like trusting me that everything's good, kind of. There's nothing else, just repetitions. I'm definitely ready to play now."
An injury, then missing the remainder of a season can take a toll on a player, from an emotional level down to physically getting back into shape.
Vesterinen's injury came on Sept. 7. So, he had the final 11 games of the regular season to rehab, then the whole offseason.
The mental standpoint of his game has grown simply from going through last year's injury.
"Last year, it grinded on me whenever I was looking at the games from a TV, or later in the season when I got on the sidelines," Vesterinen said. "It was not being able to be there when your team needs you. [It's also] when your teammates are running out of the tunnel and you're not there. I learned a lot about myself during that time. I've grown a lot since then."
That self-reflection is something Vesterinen has put in his back pocket and will be there when he needs it.
"[I learned] that I can always come back," Vesterinen said. "There's nothing that can stop me."
While Vesterinen wasn't able to put a lot of weight on his leg, he picked up playing video games. The game he spent the most time on was "Call of Duty."
A small group of defensive linemen return for the Mountaineers, while a majority consists of incoming transfers.
Vesterinen stated that the defensive line has a bond that could lead to success on the gridiron.
"As a D-line, we're in a good spot," Vesterinen said. "I would say the biggest thing is we're in better shape than we've ever been because [we're] going against the jet tempo offense we have at practice. That definitely sets the D-line up for success later in the season because the game slows down for us. We have a great coach in coach [William] Green. He pushes us every day.
"I'm eager to see that our work behind the curtains will show."
WVU pieced together an impressive transfer portal class that included defensive lineman Eddie Kelly Jr.
Kelly spent last season at Missouri, where he totaled 20 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.
Devin Grant and Jimmori Robinson, who is still waiting for full clearance to participate in activities, also came via transfer.
Vesterinen put his coach's hat on when analyzing what that group possesses, but the biggest thing that stands out is the personality they all share.
"Our main star is Hammond Russell," Vesterinen said. "He's the big joker on the D-line. He brings everybody together on the D-line. He has taken on the vocal leadership of the D-line unit. Then, you got Asani Redwood. We try to push them and compete with them. It's a good group of guys. You always enjoy the people you spend time with."
Vesterinen's first season with the Mountaineers was 2021, where he appeared in eight games at defensive tackle.
He became the first native of Finland to play for West Virginia and is entering his fifth season with the Mountaineers.
Vesterinen had to adjust to culture shift coming from Finland to West Virginia, but he's adopted it as his second home.
"The biggest culture shock would've been driving everywhere," Vesterinen said. "I'm not used to driving. I'm used to [cycling] and walking around. You can't even get to Walmart. There's a bus, but it maybe goes twice a day. You also have to always have a little chat going on, even if you're sitting in [your] Uber. You always have to chat with the driver to make it comfortable or some small talk like that."
Despite the culture shift, he takes pride in representing his hometown of Helsinki.
"I put so much pride [in] Helsinki," Vesterinen said during a news conference. "I wish you guys could go there sometime. It's a nice place during the summer and the sun doesn't set during the winter. Maybe you should not go. It's really cold and dark, but it's a very nice place."
