Panic or depression may seem like perfectly logical reactions to the news that linebacker David Long won’t be back for his senior season at West Virginia. Long declared for the NFL Draft on Sunday morning, leaving a unit that’s tied with Tulane for 74th nationally in total defense without its best player next season.
But even without Long, it can be argued that West Virginia’s outlook on defense in 2019 will be sunnier than it is for an offense replacing far more NFL talent.
For starters, West Virginia’s starting linebackers may end up being a trio of players who either did not or barely played in 2018. Brendan Ferns has had an injury-plagued career, but the former 4-star recruit remains the third-highest rated player that Dana Holgorsen has ever signed. Ferns should be the team’s starting Mike linebacker if his knee agrees to the proposition.
Outside linebacker Quondarius Qualls, who also tore his ACL this spring, was a step behind Ferns when it came to getting close to full speed by the end of the season. But he should also be ready for next season, theoretically strengthening the secondary by allowing JoVanni Stewart to play at one of WVU’s three safety spots.
The other outside linebacker spot should be filled by Alabama transfer VanDarius Cowan, who sat out this season due to NCAA rules. The former 4-star recruit played seven games off the bench in his freshman season before a bar fight ended his tenure with the Crimson Tide.
Up front, the Mountaineers lose a trio of seniors in Kenny Bigelow, Jabril Robinson and Ezekiel Rose. All three transferred to West Virginia from elsewhere, so the Mountaineers are in the market for at least one graduate transfer who will be able to play right away. Regardless of who that search turns out, there is already a strong homegrown base to work with thanks to the Stills brothers.
Darius, a junior-to-be, had the most athletic play by any player on West Virginia’s defense in the Camping World Bowl with his chase-down sack of Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey. Dante, a sophomore-to-be, is coming off a season in which The Athletic named him a freshman all-American despite being a rotational player.
Robinson, who knows a thing or two about good defensive line play after playing at Clemson before his graduate transfer to West Virginia, is fired up for the futures of both.
“I definitely see both of those guys being heckuva players next year and the following years,” Robinson said. “As many years as they’ll be here. Dante Stills is a long and athletic monster. Darius is as well. As long as they gain the knowledge from Coach Gibby [Tony Gibson] and Coach [Bruce] Tall, the sky is the limit for them.”
Though West Virginia’s pass defense had its struggles in the three-game losing streak to end the season, everyone but Dravon Askew-Henry and Toyous Avery is returning for the Mountaineers in the back end of the defense. WVU is also adding an impact junior college transfer at cornerback in Dreshun Miller.
The Mountaineers ranked seventh in the Big 12 in pass defense, but were 20th nationally with 15 interceptions.
Long’s intensity and on-field intelligence are irreplaceable, and it is there where West Virginia will struggle to find a new leader next season. But WVU’s defensive cupboard will not be bare without him.