These two latest WVU football transfer portal additions could help transform the defense.

In a huge move, WVU snagged Northwestern standout defensive backs Jaheem Joseph and Garnett Hollis Jr. to begin the week.

The West Virginia football team has kicked off the week with a bang — and it will likely result in a big change in on-field defensive production in 2024.

On Monday, former Northwestern defensive back Jaheem Joseph announced via X/Twitter that he was transferring to WVU for the 2024 season, adding a new face to a position group that struggled with depth last fall.

And he just so happens to be bringing company.

Defense back Garnett Hollis Jr., a teammate at Northwestern, declared on Tuesday that he will accompany his friend to Morgantown.

Even if Joseph and Hollis Jr. are not very well-known nationally, their participation in the program shouldn’t be disregarded.

With only 182.9 passing yards allowed during the regular season, Northwestern’s passing yard total at the end of the previous campaign placed them 15th in the country. They also tied for 25th place nationally in terms of total interceptions.

Conversely, West Virginia was less successful in stopping the pass. The Mountaineers tied for 52nd place in interceptions and a miserable 85th place nationally in passing yards allowed (237.4 per game).

Joseph and Hollis Jr. each saw action in all 13 games last season, contributing significantly to Northwestern’s formidable pass defense.

Throughout the season, Joseph recorded 24 tackles, one pass breakup, and three interceptions. His career at Northwestern came to an end in a spectacular way as he recorded two interceptions in a 14-7 bowl victory over Utah, a new Big 12 program.

Following the match, Joseph discussed how Northwestern’s defensive philosophy, led by first-year coach David Braun, helped him hone his ballhawking abilities.

According to Joseph, “eyes on the ball was always heavily stressed when bringing in (Braun’s) new system.” “Every Thursday before practice, we work on it in turnover circuit and practice drills.Our mentality is instilled with “find ball, get ball.”

In the meanwhile, Hollis Jr. finished the 2023 season with 49 tackles, three pass breakups, and one interception. When Northwestern defeated Purdue in the previous fall, Braun was all of compliments for Hollis Jr. and his teammates Rod Heard II and Bryce Gallagher.

Those are three names that (any NFL team) would not be crazy to have on their teams,” Braun said. “They embody what it looks like to play the game the right way.”

What may prove most valuable about the addition of Joseph and Hollis Jr. may be their experience. Each brings first-hand knowledge of what it takes to see playing time in the Big 10, one of the top-tier football conferences at the FBS level. Not only that, but they proved they know how to win at that level. Having those types of players could prove invaluable for the Mountaineer defense, allowing them to play a similar role as consensus All-American Beanie Bishop did this past fall.