MORGANTOWN — WVU had two more names enter the NCAA Transfer Portal on Tuesday morning in offensive lineman Parker Moorer and linebacker VanDarius Cowan.
With the regular season finished, the Mountaineers (6-6, 4-5 Big 12) are beginning to see an expected transition with their roster with the new rules that allow players to transfer without penalty. Players across the country are entering the portal, and WVU is no exception.
Moorer was penciled in as the starting right tackle to start this season, but the redshirt-sophomore was ultimately benched in favor of true freshman Wyatt Milum. Parker still appeared in several packages, lining up as a tight end in jumbo sets.
“It has been an honor and privilege to have spent the last three years as a Mountaineer! I am appreciative for the opportunity that WVU provided me to become a student-athlete,” Moorer tweeted. “With serious consideration and the support of my family, I have made the decision to pursue a new path with my remaining three years of eligibility and have officially entered into the NCAA transfer portal.”
Cowan, who originally signed with Alabama as part of the 2017 recruiting cycles, transferred to WVU in 2018 and sat out that season because of previous NCAA rules. The last three years, he’s provided depth at the Bandit linebacker spot, finishing with 38 tackles and four sacks the last three seasons.
Cowan’s last appearance was at Kansas State on Nov. 13 when he was ejected for targeting in the first quarter. He did not dress the last two games against Texas and Kansas.
“I have put a lot of thought into this and I have made the difficult decision to end my journey at WVU and enter the transfer portal,” Cowan tweeted.
Since the start of fall camp in August, nine scholarship players have entered the transfer portal — Cowan, Moorer, wide receiver Sam Brown, defensive tackle Darel Middleton, safety Kerry Martin, running back A’Varius Sparrow, linebacker James Thomas, linebacker Devell Washington and linebacker Eddie Watkins.
The Mountaineers did receive a commitment from Clemson running back transfer Lyn-J Dixon, who played the last four years for the Tigers. He finished with 1,420 yards and 13 touchdowns.
“I made the decision to transfer to continue to move forward in my career and better my opportunities in the future. I have enjoyed my time with the Clemson Tigers,” Dixon said on Instagram. “However, I am thankful to announce that I will continue my college and athletic career at West Virginia University!”
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