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West Virginia football: 5 surprise contributors who’ll boost Mountaineers in 2018

By Phil Poling

MORGANTOWN, WV - SEPTEMBER 03: West Virginia Mountaineers players celebrate after the game against the Missouri Tigers 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: West Virginia Mountaineers players celebrate after the game against the Missouri Tigers 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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DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 26: Zack Moss #2 of the Utah Utes runs the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl on December 26, 2017 at Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – DECEMBER 26: Zack Moss #2 of the Utah Utes runs the ball against the West Virginia Mountaineers during Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl on December 26, 2017 at Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

4. Charlie Benton, Linebacker | Redshirt Sophomore

The lone projected-starter on our list is JUCO transfer Charlie Benton. He enrolled at WVU in January and made the change from safety to linebacker after some departures and injuries within the program.

More: Can David Long lead the Mountaineer defense in 2018?

Benton, listed at 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, is expected to compete with Shea Campbell and Adam Hensley for the starting job as the Sam linebacker. Dylan Tonkery is taking over the Mike linebacker position for Al-Rasheed Benton, and David Long, Jr. will lead the Mountaineers from his Will position.

Benton last played at Butler Community College in Kansas where he was named an All-KJCCC Second Team performer. Playing for coach Tim Schaffner, Benton ranked third on the team in tackles and produced in a number of ways, racking up 10 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and an interception.

Spending the entire spring semester in Morgantown improves Benton’s chances of excelling this season, especially with the lack of veteran leadership at the linebacker position. Neither Benton nor Campbell have played at the D-1 level, but they’ll have to adjust on the fly when the season arrives.

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