MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The eligibility freeze announced by the NCAA in August meant the 2020 school year across all sports did not count against athletes, but with football scholarship limits as well as bigger roster sizes in comparison to other sports, it was no guarantee seniors would take advantage.
Many thought it was a no-brainer for seniors to return in 2021, but as the regular season abruptly came to an end for WVU with the cancellation of the Oklahoma game — and Senior Day, as a result — it seems most of the senior class is moving on.
“We may have a few (seniors return),” head coach Neal Brown said. “I’m not putting a lot of pressure on them. I don’t think it’s the right time during the season. We talked about the option and what that means, what it looks like, all those types of things, during the bye week, but I’m not putting pressure on them.”
Brown mentioned scholarship numbers, including the incoming 2021 high school class, were in a good spot for the Mountaineers. But with 20 seniors listed on the roster, if all decided to come back next season, it would likely put a strain on the scholarship limit and many would have to pay their own way through school.
Scholarship limits aside, many seniors are graduating or have already graduated, so beginning life after football is a priority over one more go-around. Others have pro aspirations and will enter the NFL draft, including defensive lineman Darius Stills and linebacker Tony Fields II.
“Even though the NCAA has granted everyone a free year of eligibility, I would like to announce that I will not be taking that extra year of eligibility and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft,” Stills tweeted. “I will be finishing my career here at West Virginia with the bowl game.”
Stills has 79 tackles, 24 1/2 tackles for loss and 11 1/2 sacks in his career.
While the bowl destination has yet to be announced for the Mountaineers, Stills said he will play in it, while Fields opted to end his one-year stint with the program.
“My short time in Almost Heaven has been unforgettable. Sadly, due to COVID-19, I didn’t get the full fan experience at Milan Puskar Stadium,” Fields tweeted. “Nonetheless, every Saturday, the energy felt was always incredible. Thank you, Mountaineer fans, for your endless support this year. Thank you to Coach Brown, Coach (Jahmile) Addae, Coach (Jeff) Koonz, and Coach (Jordan) Lesley for the opportunity and for pushing me to be the best me each day. To my teammates, thank you guys for welcoming me and being ready to compete every day. It indeed was a fun season full of memories that will last forever. With that being said, after talking with my family, I have decided not to participate in the bowl game and prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft.”
Fields led the team in tackles with 79, including three for a loss and a sack.
Wide receiver T.J. Simmons and offensive lineman Michael Brown posted messages thanking WVU fans for their support, with Simmons saying, “Didn’t get a senior night at Milan but I can say my last time there was a blast. I love you West Virginia.”
Neal Brown said he urged seniors to walk during Senior Day even if they weren’t sure what they wanted to do. Without the pregame ceremony, WVU’s social media team shared a quote from seniors, including: Stills, Fields, Simmons, Michael Brown, long-snapper Kyle Poland, quarterback Austin Kendall, defensive end Jeffery Pooler, linebacker Jake Abbott, safety Sean Mahone, linebacker Dylan Tonkery, safety Jake Long, safety Osman Kamara, running back Lorenzo Dorr, offensive lineman Zach Davis, safety Dante Bonamico, linebacker Charlie Benton, safety Alonzo Addae and offensive lineman Chase Behrndt.
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