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West Virginia Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 03: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first half of the game at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia defeated Missouri 26-11. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 03: Justin Crawford #25 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first half of the game at Milan Puskar Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Morgantown, West Virginia. West Virginia defeated Missouri 26-11. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 26: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes for yards as linebacker David Long #11 of the West Virginia Mountaineers pursues in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. The West Virginia Mountaineers won 49-19 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – NOVEMBER 26: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones rushes for yards as linebacker David Long #11 of the West Virginia Mountaineers pursues in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. The West Virginia Mountaineers won 49-19 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

Starting middle linebacker: Al-Rasheed Benton
Backup: Brendan Ferns

When you take a quick look at the linebacker spots, it’s clear that this might be the strength of the team. While the Mountaineers need to find a way to improve against the run, bringing back the second-leading tackler from last season in the middle is crucial. Al-Rasheed Benton is returning as the middle linebacker starter as a senior following an 80-tackle campaign in 2016. He added an interception and tackle for loss.

Redshirt freshman Brendan Ferns was a top recruit in the 2016 class and made the move from outside linebacker. He could be a solid contributor in the middle and is the heir apparent to the throne.

Related Story: West Virginia Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

Starting outside linebackers: David Long, Xavier Preston
Backups: Adam Hensley, Dylan Tonkery

The other returning linebacker in the 3-3-5 scheme is sophomore David Long. He had an outstanding freshman season, putting up 63 tackles, 4.5 for loss and two sacks, but didn’t quite get the recognition he deserved. He will be an All-Big 12 candidate by the end of the 2017 season and is an untouchable starter. Senior Xavier Preston is the presumed starter on the other side. He played sparingly in 2016.

Two young guys will be adding depth to the outside linebacker positions as sophomore Adam Hensley will be in the two-deep as well as redshirt freshman Dylan Tonkery. Is the youth in the No. 2 spots concerning? Possible, but the starters more than make up for it.

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