Some players earn respect long before they ever step onto a college field. Wes Lyons was one of those players.

A standout at Woodland Hills High School, Lyons developed into one of the top wide receivers in Western Pennsylvania before taking his talents to West Virginia University. At WVU, he became part of a proud tradition of Mountaineer football, representing both his hometown and the state on one of college football’s biggest stages.

His journey wasn’t just about catches and touchdowns. It was about perseverance, growth, and embracing the expectations that come with wearing the Old Gold and Blue.

In this edition of WVU Brotherhood, Wes Lyons reflects on his football journey, the lessons he learned, and what it meant to represent both Woodland Hills and West Virginia.

 

Q: Woodland Hills has produced some legendary athletes. What was different about the culture there that prepared so many players for college football?

A: Woodland Hills had a culture built around competition, toughness, and accountability. You practiced every day against players who were capable of playing at the next level, so you couldn’t afford to take a rep off. The expectations were high, and the coaches prepared us mentally and physically to compete beyond high school. By the time many of us reached college, we were already comfortable being challenged.

 

Q: Before social media and recruiting rankings became what they are today, how did you build your reputation as one of Western Pennsylvania’s top receivers?

A: Woodland Hills had already built a nationally respected football program before I got there. The players who came before me helped create that reputation, which brought college coaches through our doors. Once they were there, it was my job to prove I belonged. I was fortunate to benefit from the foundation those players built, and I wanted to continue that legacy for the next generation.

 

Q: As a wide receiver, what separated your game from everyone else’s? Was it route running, football IQ, physicality, or something people didn’t notice?

A: My combination of size, physicality, and football IQ separated me. At 6 foot 8, I obviously had a physical advantage, but height alone doesn’t make you a great receiver. I understood how to use my body, create leverage, and make difficult catches. I was also willing to block and do the things that didn’t always show up in the statistics.

 

Q: Every receiver remembers the quarterback they trusted most. What made that connection special, and how important is chemistry to playing the position?

A: Chemistry is everything. A receiver and quarterback have to see the game the same way. The best connections come when the quarterback trusts that you will be where you’re supposed to be, and you trust that he will give you an opportunity to make a play. That relationship is developed through repetition, communication, and spending time together away from game day.

 

Q: Who was the toughest defensive back you ever lined up against in high school or college, and what made that matchup so difficult?

A: On paper, I’d have to say Darrelle Revis. He was one of the best defensive backs I ever competed against. At the high school and college level a lot of teams played zone coverage, so you didn’t always get those true one on one battles that fans imagine.

 

Q: If Woodland Hills held an all-time pickup game with every era of players, and you had the first pick, who are you taking?

A: I’m taking my brother, Devon Lyons. At the high school level, he was a mismatch every time he stepped on the field. He was 6 foot 4, around 220 pounds, built like an NFL receiver before he ever got to college. He was incredibly physical, and it felt like every time he touched the football, he scored. I think he found the end zone on nearly 70 percent of his touches. That’s hard to pass up.

 

Q: What’s one thing fans never truly understand about playing wide receiver at the Division I level?

A: People don’t always understand how detailed the position is. It isn’t just running fast and catching the football. You have to understand coverages, defensive leverage, route adjustments, blocking assignments, and timing. Sometimes you may be open, but the quarterback’s progression goes somewhere else. You still have to run every route with discipline because your job may be creating an opportunity for someone else.

 

Q: Was there ever a moment at WVU when you realized, “I belong here,” after seeing the speed and talent of college football?

A: There was definitely an adjustment period because the speed and talent were different from high school. But once I began making plays in practice against Division I defenders, I realized I belonged. That confidence didn’t come from one moment as much as it came from consistently competing and seeing that I could hold my own.

 

Q: Looking back, was there a game where you felt you played your best even if the stats didn’t reflect it? Why does that game stand out?

A: My freshman year against Syracuse stands out. NFL scouts were there to evaluate a Syracuse senior who eventually became a first round draft pick, but after the game one of the Colts scouts waited to speak with me. He told me he was impressed not just by my catches, but by how I blocked and competed in every aspect of the game. That meant a lot because it showed they were evaluating the complete player, not just the stat sheet.

 

Q: How much pride did you take in representing Woodland Hills every time you put on a WVU uniform? Did you feel like you were carrying your hometown with you?

A: I took a tremendous amount of pride in it. Woodland Hills and Western Pennsylvania have a strong football tradition, and I always understood that I was representing more than myself. Every time I put on the WVU uniform, I carried my family, my community, my coaches, and everyone who helped me reach that point.

 

Q: What’s one lesson a coach taught you that had nothing to do with football but has helped you throughout life?

A: One of the most important lessons was that talent may open a door, but discipline and consistency determine how long you stay in the room. That lesson has applied to every part of my life, from football to business, leadership, and building organizations in the community.

 

Q: If today’s version of NIL and the transfer portal existed during your recruiting days, do you think your journey would’ve looked different? Why or why not?

A: It probably would have created more options. Players today have greater control over their opportunities, their brand, and their ability to find the right situation. At the same time, having too many options can make it harder to remain patient through adversity. My journey taught me how to stay committed, compete, and grow even when everything didn’t happen immediately.

 

Q: Football teaches discipline, but what part of the game taught you the most about life once your playing career was over?

A: Football taught me how to handle adversity. You can prepare correctly, work hard, and still experience injuries, losses, or situations outside of your control. When my playing career ended, I had to redefine myself and find a new purpose. Football taught me that one chapter ending doesn’t mean your story is over.

 

Q: When people discuss the history of Woodland Hills football, where do you think that program’s greatness really comes from?

A: The greatness comes from the community, the tradition, and the expectation that every generation has a responsibility to represent the program the right way. Younger players grew up watching older players succeed, and that gave them something tangible to chase. Once you became part of the program, you understood that the standard had already been established.

 

Q: What teammate from Woodland Hills or WVU do you think deserves more recognition than they receive today?

A: There are honestly too many to name. I’ve played with a lot of talented guys who absolutely had the ability to play at the next level but didn’t have the grades, discipline, or circumstances line up for them. I don’t want to single anyone out because there are so many. But if you’re one of those guys reading this, you know who you are.

 

Q: If you could sit down with your 17 year old self before signing with WVU, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give yourself?

A: I would tell myself to enjoy the journey and not become overly focused on the destination. As a young athlete, you’re always thinking about the next scholarship, the next game, the next level, or the NFL. I would remind myself to appreciate the relationships, the locker room, and the moments that you don’t realize are special until they’re gone.

 

Q: How do you define success now compared to how you defined it as a young athlete chasing scholarships and playing time?

A: As a young athlete, success was connected to accomplishments such as scholarships, statistics, playing time, and reaching the NFL. Today, I define success by impact. It’s about being present for my family, creating opportunities for others, building something meaningful, and using my experiences to help the next generation.

 

Q: When you look back at your football journey, from Woodland Hills to WVU, what are you most grateful for that people on the outside would probably never know?

A: I’m most grateful for the relationships. Football introduced me to lifelong friends, mentors, coaches, and teammates who helped shape the man I am today. The games eventually end, but those relationships and the lessons we shared have lasted a lifetime.