But no unit has taken a greater hit due to graduation than the linebacker core.
Former Illinois LB T.J. Neal may be the answer the Mountaineers need moving forward.
Neal, who has one more year of eligibility, recently announced his intention to transfer.
He was a starter for two seasons with the Illini, who compiled an 11-14 record over that span. Neal was the team’s second-leading tackler last season with 109 tackles.
He isn’t the first Illinois linebacker to declare to leave the school as LaKeith Walls and B.J. Bellow also have intentions of departing the program.