Linebacker VanDarius Cowan set to make West Virginia Debut

Today, former Alabama linebacker VanDarius Cowan will be set to make his long anticipated Mountaineer debut when West Virginia kicks off against Texas at 3:30 pm.  Cowan, a former consensus five star All-American recruit was dismissed from Alabama due to a “violation of team rules.”

According to the police report, Cowan was arrested and charged with third degree assault in June of 2018 following an altercation at a bar.

Since then, Cowan has done everything he’s needed to in order to get back on the field and although he is receiving high expectations from the fan base, the coaching staff is trying to be realistic. “I think our expectations have to be reasonable for him. In a lot of ways this will be his first college game. He’ll play some defense, he’ll play some special teams. He’s done a good job and look forward to him in a game setting,” Coach Brown noted. He also said that Cowan has been receiving reps with the first team defense during the bye week and this week leading up to the game.

With senior linebacker JoVanni Stewart opting to sit out this weeks game and contemplate a redshirt or transfer, defensive coordinator will need Cowan to help pick up the production from the linebacking corps.

There’s no doubt about Cowan’s talent, he has all the measurable and tools needed for success. At 6’4″ 230 lbs, he is the Mountaineers biggest linebacker and is something the team hasn’t had for years at the position. Be sure to keep an eye out for #32 on the defensive side today, there may be a time or two where he is breathing down the neck of Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

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