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West Virginia Football: Top 5 breakout candidates for 2017

By Andrew Miller

MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 03: Daikiel Shorts
MORGANTOWN, WV - DECEMBER 03: Daikiel Shorts /
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LUBBOCK, TX – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Dana Holgorsen of the West Virginia Mountaineers on the sidelines during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on October 15, 2016 at AT&T Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Dana Holgorsen of the West Virginia Mountaineers on the sidelines during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on October 15, 2016 at AT&T Jones Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

The West Virginia defensive line has some rebuilding to do after losing their three sack leaders from a season ago. Noble Nwachukwu is the biggest loss of all. The other losses are Darrien Howard and Justin Arndt.

Adam Shuler is the next man up at defensive end. He’ll start with fellow defensive end, sophomore Reese Donahue. Shuler got some playing time in 2016, racking up 2.0 tackles for loss. The pass rush is an important part of the West Virginia defense.

Someone will have to step up on the defensive line with so much inexperience. Junior Jaleel Fields should start at nose tackle with Jalen Harvey getting some reps.

Shuler could be the sack leader for West Virginia this year. Leaders will emerge on this defense and Shuler showed last year he can take on a larger role.

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