The transfer portal does take players away, but it does also give them in return. That felt like the case on Tuesday as hours after the West Virginia Mountaineers saw linebacker Ben Bogle enter the transfer portal, the Mountaineers picked up a strong replacement at the position through the portal as Illinois linebacker Malachi Hood committed to the WVU football.
Hood joins the Mountaineers after a four-season stint with the Fighting Illini, and will have at least one seasonofligibility remaining in Morgantown – but potentially two if a medical redshirt is approved. Hood played in 25 games for Illinois over the past two seasons, and during his junior campaign in 2025, he tallied 44 tackles and one sack and was honored as an All-Big Ten Academic selection.