WVU Sports Hall of Fame
Bruce Irvin was an All-America linebacker in 2010 and 2011 and a first round NFL Draft pick in 2012.
As a senior in 2011, Irvin was tabbed First Team All-Big East after finishing fourth in the conference in sacks and tying for 28th nationally. He tied for seventh in the league in tackles for loss and tied for third in forced fumbles. Irvin led WVU in sacks (8.5), forced fumbles (3) and tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (15).
The Atlanta native collected a career-high seven tackles while adding two sacks versus Pitt. He was named a Fourth Team All-American by Phil Steele. In his first season as a junior at WVU in 2010, he was tabbed Honorable Mention All-American by SI.com. Irvin was named Second Team All-Big East after he finished second in the nation in sacks. He led the Big East in sacks and tied for fourth in tackles for loss. Irvin recorded a season-high four solo tackles against Maryland, including a season-high three sacks for 22 yards.
Irvin finished his WVU career fourth on the career sack chart (22.5) and third on WVU's single-season sack chart (14).
The Seattle Seahawks selected Irvin in the first round (15th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft. He was the highest selected Mountaineer since Adam Jones in 2005. Irvin was also the first defensive end and fourth defensive lineman selected in 2012.
He had three stints with Seattle (2012-15, 2020 and 2022) and also played for Oakland (2016-18), Atlanta (2018), Carolina (2019) and Chicago (2021). Irvin played in two Super Bowls, XLVIII and XLIX, winning XLVIII against Denver in 2014, 43-8, a game in which he made two solo tackles.
For his NFL career, he had 340 total tackles, 55 1/2 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three interceptions, 13 pass deflections and two defensive touchdowns. Irvin was the NFL forced fumbles co-leader in 2016 and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2012.
Irvin was active in the community, especially during his time with Raiders. For his efforts, he was honored in 2017 as Oakland's representative for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. It is considered one of the league's most prestigious honors, recognizing an NFL Player for outstanding community service activities off the field as well as excellence on the field.
Along with his own charities, Irvin hosted football clinics in Charleston, West Virginia and assisted with his teammates efforts. He volunteered with food banks, helped distribute food to families, visited children's hospitals, participated in the team's Crucial Catch community event – (breast cancer survivors), joined members of the local Girls Inc., advocating change together program and made financial contributions to help relief efforts for those affected by Northern California wildfires.
Irvin was a First Team All-American at Mt. San Antonio College prior to arriving at WVU. He played high school football at Stephenson High School.
Irvin returned to WVU in 2018 to earn his Regents Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Education and Human Services. He and his wife, Jonnie, have three sons, Brayden, Brody and Beau.
