MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Four-star inside linebacker recruit Darrien Howard, who missed West Virginia’s preseason camp while awaiting NCAA approval of online summer coursework, has been cleared to play and plans to arrive on campus Thursday.
Though sitting out the opening three weeks of practice probably portends a redshirt season for Howard, his admittance means WVU successfully brought in 100 percent of its February signing class.
WVU’s staff figured Howard was a solid bet to qualify, though some of that certainty dissipated after he became hung up with the NCAA and was unable to report with other freshmen July 31. As a source within the program said Wednesday, “You never know for sure.”
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds on national signing day, Howard told Rivals this summer that he had climbed above the 270-pound mark, raising the possibility he could shift to defensive end.