West Virginia’s Top Two Defenders Returning for 2022
January 03, 2022 10:44 AM | Football, Blog
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Leading tackler Josh Chandler-Semedo and top pass rusher Dante Stills announced on Twitter they will be returning to WVU for the 2022 season.
Both made their announcements over the weekend.
Chandler-Semedo, a 5-foot-11, 226-pound linebacker from Canton, Ohio, made his announcement first.
"These last few years in Morgantown have been a memorable experience," Chandler-Semedo tweeted. "The fans, the culture and the tradition at West Virginia is like no other.
"Since I was a kid I have dreamed of playing at the next level and having the opportunity to provide for my family and set the foundation for the youth to follow. I have been blessed to have a great career at West Virginia, which has allowed me to be in position to have an opportunity to play at the next level and pursue my dreams. I am extremely grateful for that.
"However," he added, "there is still unfinished business. With that being said I am returning to play my senior year. In pursuit of closing this chapter with one more Country Road!"
Chandler-Semedo led West Virginia with a career-best 110 tackles during the 2021 season. Sixty-eight of those were solo tackles to go with three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions.
In 42 career games, he has produced 246 tackles, 7½ tackles for loss, six pass breakups, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
He is currently tied with linebacker Ray Marshall for 44th in career tackles at WVU.
Soon after Chandler-Semedo's announcement, Stills took to Twitter with a three-word statement: "RUN IT BACK."
Stills earned All-Big 12 First Team honors from the coaches and the media after producing a team-best seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Fairmont Senior High product is already one of the most prolific pass-rushing defensive linemen in school history.
His 19 career sacks move him into a tie with Darryl Talley and Renaldo Turnbull for sixth all-time, and just Julian Miller (26) sits ahead of him among defensive lineman.
West Virginia's four other sack specialists ahead of Stills – Canute Curtis (35), his father, Gary Stills (26), Bruce Irvin (23) and Steve Hathaway (20) – were all standup players.
Dante also sits third in school history with 44 career tackles for loss and needs just six to pass Miller's 49 from 2007-11.
Stills had a sack and two TFLs in West Virginia's bowl game loss to Minnesota last week. Overall, Stills shows 111 tackles, four forced fumbles, three pass breakups and an interception in 47 career games and will be an All-American candidate in 2022.
WVU's defense allowed 23.8 points, 138.5 rushing yards and 350.1 total yards per game in 2021.
Both made their announcements over the weekend.
Chandler-Semedo, a 5-foot-11, 226-pound linebacker from Canton, Ohio, made his announcement first.
"These last few years in Morgantown have been a memorable experience," Chandler-Semedo tweeted. "The fans, the culture and the tradition at West Virginia is like no other.
"Since I was a kid I have dreamed of playing at the next level and having the opportunity to provide for my family and set the foundation for the youth to follow. I have been blessed to have a great career at West Virginia, which has allowed me to be in position to have an opportunity to play at the next level and pursue my dreams. I am extremely grateful for that.
"However," he added, "there is still unfinished business. With that being said I am returning to play my senior year. In pursuit of closing this chapter with one more Country Road!"
Chandler-Semedo led West Virginia with a career-best 110 tackles during the 2021 season. Sixty-eight of those were solo tackles to go with three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions.
In 42 career games, he has produced 246 tackles, 7½ tackles for loss, six pass breakups, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.He is currently tied with linebacker Ray Marshall for 44th in career tackles at WVU.
Soon after Chandler-Semedo's announcement, Stills took to Twitter with a three-word statement: "RUN IT BACK."
Stills earned All-Big 12 First Team honors from the coaches and the media after producing a team-best seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Fairmont Senior High product is already one of the most prolific pass-rushing defensive linemen in school history.
His 19 career sacks move him into a tie with Darryl Talley and Renaldo Turnbull for sixth all-time, and just Julian Miller (26) sits ahead of him among defensive lineman.
West Virginia's four other sack specialists ahead of Stills – Canute Curtis (35), his father, Gary Stills (26), Bruce Irvin (23) and Steve Hathaway (20) – were all standup players.
Dante also sits third in school history with 44 career tackles for loss and needs just six to pass Miller's 49 from 2007-11.
Stills had a sack and two TFLs in West Virginia's bowl game loss to Minnesota last week. Overall, Stills shows 111 tackles, four forced fumbles, three pass breakups and an interception in 47 career games and will be an All-American candidate in 2022.
WVU's defense allowed 23.8 points, 138.5 rushing yards and 350.1 total yards per game in 2021.
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