West Virginia football: 3 most underrated Mountaineers heading into 2020

Few teams are successful without a player like junior linebacker Exree Loe. Although he won’t be a name called a dozen times on Saturdays, Loe’s impact is felt most on special teams where he’s been a mainstay the past two seasons.

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In 23 career games with the Mountaineers, 12 in 2019 and 11 in 2018, the Johnstown, Penn., native has tallied 47 total tackles (31 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries, two pass deflections, one sack and one forced fumbled. He contributes in every way imaginable.

And that’s what West Virginia will need in Neal Brown’s second season, a player who can make a play. Energy plays. A big third-down tackle. A shoe-string special teams stop that halts a big return. Loe can provide those types of plays for the Mountaineers.

A bigger role might’ve been expected by Loe following the 2019 season, but subsequent transfers have stalled that idea, one in particular. Arizona graduate transfer Tony Fields is expected to have a large role with the Mountaineers, having played in a similar system with the Wildcats the past couple seasons.

But if Loe is capable of flourishing in his role, there could be an entirely different feel surrounding the Mountaineers in 2020.