The day West Virginia’s matchup with Oklahoma was canceled, the announcement of decision for next season fell into motion.
Student-athletes have the option to return to competition next season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have taken advantage, while others have opted for other opportunities.
Below, we look at the various Mountaineers who have played a role that are in the position to make such a decision.
Alonzo Addae, redshirt senior safety > Returning
Addae, who seemingly came out of nowhere to be among WVU’s top defensive contributors this season, sat out all of last season due to NCAA transfer rules. The nephew of cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae, Alonzo has announced his choice to return for yet another season with the Mountaineers.
That is a significant outcome for the 2021 defense.
Chase Behrndt, redshirt senior center > LEAVING
Behrndt took to Instagram soon after the game’s cancelation to say that he would not take advantage of the opportunity for an additional year of eligibility.
Behrndt, who often uses the phrase “How we doin?” in social media posts, is alluding to those references being gone and, thus, his departure from the program.
Dante Bonamico, senior safety > LEAVING
Bonamico, never one to put up big numbers but a strong leader and teammate during his time in Morgantown, announced on Instagram last week that he would not be returning next season.
Michael Brown, redshirt senior offensive guard > LEAVING
Brown, who has served as a starting offensive guard for the Mountaineers in each of the last three seasons, confirmed to WVSports.com that he would not be returning next season.
Tony Fields II, senior linebacker > LEAVING
Fields, who transferred to WVU for his senior season, led the Mountaineers’ defense in 2020. He is expected to be an NFL draft pick.
Osman Kamara, redshirt senior safety > LEAVING
Kamara won WVU’s Tommy Nickolich Award for the program’s top walk-on in 2020, but he very rarely saw the field. He totaled one tackle in 2020.
He announced his decision to leave on Dec. 12, saying that it was time “for me to hang up my cleats.”
Austin Kendall, redshirt senior quarterback > LEAVING
Kendall, who was the primary starter last season after transferring from Oklahoma, was quickly unseated by Jarret Doege and found himself buried on the depth chart.
Despite playing in one game in 2020, Kendall announced that he would not return.
Jake Long, redshirt senior defensive back > UNKNOWN
Long has not publicly declared his intentions.
Sean Mahone, redshirt senior defensive back > UNKNOWN
Mahone has not publicly declared his intentions.
Jeffery Pooler Jr., senior defensive end > UNKNOWN
Pooler has not publicly declared his intentions.
T.J. Simmons, redshirt senior wide receiver > LEAVING
The day that West Virginia’s game was canceled, Simmons shared that his last time in Milan Puskar Stadium was a “blast.”
Evan Staley, senior placekicker > STAYING
Staley served as the Mountaineers’ starting placekicker before suffering an injury against Kansas State on Halloween.
A day later, when he announced that he would be out for the remainder of the season, he tweeted that he would be the team’s biggest fan “until I am able to join them again.”
Darius Stills, senior defensive lineman > LEAVING
After a strong junior season, it appeared as if Stills would soon be playing on Sundays. He returned for his senior season but, as a likely NFL draft pick, it was never really a question that he would not take advantage of the extra season of eligibility.
Tyler Sumpter, redshirt senior punter > STAYING(?)
Sumpter is one of WVU’s many players who transferred to the school prior to this season. While he has not explicitly declared his intentions, he alluded to competing for a Big 12 Championship next season.
Dylan Tonkery, redshirt senior linebacker > UNKNOWN
Tonkery has not publicly declared his intentions.
Scottie Young, senior safety > STAYING
Like Fields, Young transferred to WVU after spending time at the University of Arizona. He did not receive a transfer waiver to be eligible in his first season in Morgantown, and he will return next season to play with the Mountaineers.
While Young has not explicitly stated his intentions, it seems awfully unlikely that he would leave after a year off. Also, he has posted some tweets alluding to next season.
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