WVU Sports Hall of Fame

Inducted: 2009

Written by Bryan Messerly

One of the greatest defensive players in Mountaineer football history, Aaron Beasley was a three-year starter and a first team All-America cornerback at WVU from 1992-95.

A Pottstown, Pa., native, Beasley was a consensus All-American in 1995 after leading the nation with a school-record 10 interceptions. He was a first team All-American by Football News, Walter Camp, American Football Coaches’ Association, UPI and College Sports. A unanimous all-BIG EAST first-team selection, Beasley was a Jim Thorpe semifinalist and one of 15 semifinalists for the Football News’ Defensive Player of the Year award. For his career, Beasley tallied 19 interceptions, second-most in school history. Three of those picks were returned for touchdowns. He had 38 passes broken up, including a then-school record 18 his senior season.

He appeared in 43 career games, making 36 consecutive starts and tallying 143 tackles, including 97 solo. A sociology and anthropology major and member of WVU’s Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll, Beasley was a member of the 1994 Sugar Bowl and 1995 Carquest Bowl teams.

Beasley was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1996 NFL Draft with the 63rd overall pick and played for the squad until 2001. He then spent two seasons with the New York Jets and played the 2004 season with the Atlanta Falcons.

For his professional career, Beasley played in 121 games, 105 as a starter, and recorded 362 tackles and 24 interceptions.

Beasley currently resides in Pasadena, Md., with his wife, Umme, (formerly Umme Salim, WVU gymnast) and their three daughters – Amirah, Dahlia and Layla.