Some bonds don’t end when the final whistle blows. They last a lifetime.

That’s what the WVU Brotherhood is all about.

Throughout this series, I’ve had the opportunity to reconnect with former Mountaineers who proudly represented West Virginia University, and today I’m excited to feature former defensive back Jermaine Thaxton.

A native of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Thaxton was part of the Mountaineer football program during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, starting at defensive back. Those teams helped lay the foundation for an exciting era of WVU football, and like so many former players, Jermaine understands what it truly means to wear the Flying WV.

In this Q&A, he reflects on his journey to Morgantown, the memories that still stand out more than two decades later, the lessons football taught him, and why being a Mountaineer remains a lifelong source of pride.

Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer.

 

Q: Take me back to your recruitment. What made West Virginia University the right place for you, and why did you choose the Mountaineers over your other options?

Jermaine Thaxton: Pretty much every school in the Big East recruited me. I initially gave a verbal commitment to Rutgers University but later committed to West Virginia. I chose WVU because it wasn’t too far from home, they played in a great athletic conference, and we were regularly on national television.

 

Q: You arrived at WVU in the early 2000s. What was the atmosphere around the football program like, and what stands out most from those years?

Jermaine Thaxton: I arrived in the early summer of 2000. The program was already buzzing because of the work the classes before us had put in. Legendary coaches, great players, an unbelievable school atmosphere, you couldn’t miss it.

 

Q: What did it mean to wear the WVU helmet every Saturday, knowing you were representing not only the university but the entire state of West Virginia?

Jermaine Thaxton: I’m an athlete and a competitor. Whatever uniform I put on, I’m going to give my best for that team or program. When you play for a high-profile Division I program like WVU, you can’t help but feel proud every time you put that helmet on.

 

Q: Who were the coaches and teammates that had the biggest impact on your life, both on and off the field?

Jermaine Thaxton: The coaches who impacted me the most were Don Nehlen, Todd Graham, Bill Kirlav, and Coach Ford. As far as teammates, it’s a long list, and that includes athletes from other sports as well.

 

Q: Every player has one game they’ll never forget. Which game stands out the most from your WVU career, and why?

Jermaine Thaxton: I actually have three. The first was having two interceptions in our 40-0 win over Rutgers. The second was upsetting Virginia Tech on my birthday. The third was beating Pitt. All three happened during the 2002 season.

 

Q: What made the early-2000s Mountaineer athletic community so unique? Did athletes from different sports build friendships and support one another?

Jermaine Thaxton: During my time at WVU in the early 2000s, all of the athletes mingled together. We built relationships with athletes from men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, baseball, gymnastics, track and field, you name it. It really was one big athletic family.

 

Q: College football has changed dramatically with NIL and the transfer portal. As someone who played in a different era, what’s your perspective on where the game is today?

Jermaine Thaxton: First, I want to congratulate the young men who are getting the bag. When we played, we weren’t even allowed to have jobs. We lived off a monthly stipend of around $1,400. As far as the transfer portal goes, to each his or her own. Good luck building relationships because that’s a big part of the college experience.

 

Q: If you could sit down with your WVU self, what advice would you give that young Jermaine Thaxton?

Jermaine Thaxton: I’d tell myself to pay more attention to the game, watch more film, and definitely hit the weight room harder.

 

Q: What does being part of the WVU Brotherhood still mean to you all these years later?

Jermaine Thaxton: It’s a brotherhood that stands the test of time. You may not talk every day like you did in college, but when you do, it’s like no time has passed. I can call just about any teammate or friend I had at WVU more than 20 years ago, and they’d answer. Blood, sweat, hard work, and dedication—that’s what we put in together as a team.

 

Q: What message would you leave for young athletes who dream of one day putting on a Mountaineer uniform?

Jermaine Thaxton: Take advantage of every opportunity that West Virginia University can and will provide for you.