From Kingston to Morgantown: The Football Journey of WVU Defensive Lineman Asani Redwood.
Until about five years ago, West Virginia defensive lineman Asani Redwood had little knowledge of football, largely because he didn’t grow up in the U.S. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, he moved to the States as a high school sophomore at age 15, having primarily played soccer and having only watched American football on TV.
“I didn’t know much—I always thought if I came to America, I’d be a receiver,” he said recently.
His journey to football began with his father’s efforts to bring him and his brother to live in the U.S. After arriving, Redwood considered using his soccer skills as a placekicker but ultimately decided to join the wrestling team instead, missing his sophomore football season. He tried football in his junior year after experiencing a growth spurt.
“By then, I was about 6’2, 205-210 pounds,” Redwood recalled. He described the challenges of his initial training: “Two weeks in, I told my dad I wanted to quit because everyone else was so smooth in drills, and I was struggling.” His father encouraged him to persevere, which turned out to be wise advice. By mid-season, Redwood earned varsity playing time alongside standout players like Travis Hunter and Sam Horn, drawing attention from college coaches.
West Virginia’s coaching staff noticed him through his high school coach, Lenny Gregory, who had connections with defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley. Redwood’s talent quickly shone through, leading to early offers and a deepening love for the game.
Lesley recognized Redwood’s potential despite his inexperience: “How high is his ceiling? Is he a schematic fit? Do we have the time to develop him?” Redwood checked all the boxes, and Lesley believed his best football was ahead.
Now a redshirt sophomore, Redwood has become an essential part of WVU’s defensive line, recording six tackles in four games this season. He still reflects on how football has transformed his life, often discussing it with his father: “Sometimes I still can’t believe it. I try to give my all to make my dad proud and show Coach Neal Brown my appreciation.”
