WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty's defensive line enters the 2026 season with an experienced leader, several promising young players and an opportunity to establish itself as one of the developing pieces of Chad Salisbury's first Hilltopper defense.

Senior Grant Neiswonger returns to anchor the group after a productive 2025 season. Neiswonger recorded 42 tackles, including five tackles for loss and a sack, while adding a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry in 11 games.

The 2026 roster lists Neiswonger as one of the Hilltoppers' returning defensive linemen, along with Kamar Perlote, Mohamed Touray and a group of younger players including Bryton Brown and Chris Thompson.

"Grant Neiswonger comes back," Salisbury said. "He's a good player for us. He had a good spring. He got hurt in the spring, but he's healthy again, and he's playing well. He's leading that group."

Neiswonger gives the Hilltoppers an important veteran presence up front, but Salisbury is particularly encouraged by what he has seen from two young players working at the nose position.

Freshmen Bryton Brown and Chris Thompson have emerged as pleasant surprises during the early stages of their collegiate careers. "Two really good young players, play at the nose, Bryton Brown and Chris Thompson, have been surprises as freshmen," Salisbury said.

Mohamed Touray is another player who has caught the coaching staff's attention. The Philadelphia native saw limited action a year ago but has taken a step forward heading into the 2026 season. "Mo Touray has been a nice surprise," Salisbury said. "Philadelphia kid that didn't play much last year."

The Hilltoppers also have a proven pass-rushing presence in Kamar Perlote, who transferred to West Liberty from Cal. "Kamar Perlote, good pass rusher, transferred from Cal last year in the spring," Salisbury said. The combination gives West Liberty several different pieces to work with along the defensive front, but Salisbury isn't overlooking the challenges that come with the position.

Depth remains an area of concern. "It's a position that I worry about," Salisbury said.

That makes managing the defensive line's workload particularly important. Salisbury said the defensive coaching staff has worked to make sure the Hilltoppers rotate their linemen effectively and keep players fresh throughout games. "Our defensive coaches have done a good job trying to sub it properly, make sure that the guys are fresh when they're in there," Salisbury said.

The physical demands of playing along the defensive front make depth especially important over the course of an entire season. Salisbury also identified defensive line as one of the positions that will continue to receive significant attention in recruiting. "That position, is a position in recruiting that is always of the utmost importance," Salisbury said.

Salisbury acknowledged that the transition into the new coaching staff came with some challenges along the defensive front, including losing several players through the transfer portal. "We got a little bit of a late start this year, lost a few in the portal when I got here," he said. But what the Hilltoppers have now has given Salisbury reason to be optimistic. He likes the young talent in the room and believes another recruiting class could help continue building the position. "I really, really like our young class," Salisbury said. "It's just might need another young class."

If that group can continue to develop and stay fresh, the defensive line could become an important building block for West Liberty's new defensive identity.




West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.