Veteran Big Ten Transfer LB Malachi Hood Picks WVU Football

Bringing physicality to the linebacker room, Illinois transfer Malachi Hood committed to join the WVU football roster on Tuesday night, per 247 Sports.

The addition of Hood, 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, provides West Virginia with a productive Power Four transfer with starting experience. Hood recorded 44 total tackles, 28 solo stops, a pass deflection, a sack and a forced fumble in 2025.

After jumping in the portal on the first day it opened on Jan. 2, Hood will jump from the Big Ten to the Big 12 with the possibility of two years of eligibility. Hood, who already has his degree, will have at least one more season left and would have two depending on the resolution of his attempt at a medical redshirt.

Considered a three-star recruit out of high school in Illinois, Hood started his college career with a redshirt year in 2022 and then missed all of 2023 after suffering a season-ending injury during training camp. Then, he made 14 tackles while appearing in 12 games in 2024 before experiencing a full role last season.

Find more coverage of WVU football recruiting at WV Sports Now.