MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – In his first formal interview since being carted off the field at TCU early in the 2023 season, WVU linebacker Trey Lathan opened up about his recovery and journey to get back on the field.

Lathan candidly spoke with the media after spring practice on Friday, expressing dealing with such a serious injury, surgery and a long recovery process was one of the toughest things he’s had to deal with in his young life. But while Lathan’s had to get through trying times, the experience helped him keep life and football in proper perspective.

“Football is my life, but I learned my life isn’t over. It put it in perspective.. during those 5-6 months I had to really focus on my life and getting it back on track.”

Going back to his recovery process, Lathan revealed he “ditched the crutches” only three days after surgery. Lathan now feels 100% back to his old self and is not worried about any mental obstacles once he gets back out there in a game.

With his injury and that fateful night in Fort Worth, Tex now behind him, Lathan is full focused on helping West Virginia’s 2024 defense, much the same way he was contributing in 2023 before his season was cut short. And Lathan is confident this year’s defense will be even better.

“This year our defense is more hungry. Since I’ve been here I think this is the best defense we’ve had. We just try to go out there and beat the offense every day. We are very competitive,” said the redshirt sophomore out of Goulds, Fla.

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