Local Sports

WVU’s Brendan Ferns will miss the season due to torn ACL

St. C. grad suffers torn ACL in practice

 

MORGANTOWN -- During his prep career at St. Clairsville, Brendan Ferns missed exactly zero games because of injury. Actually, Ferns has never missed any athletic competition in his entire life.

The true freshman linebacker at West Virginia University was informed Tuesday that he'll miss the entire season after he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during a non-contact drill Monday.

Ferns underwent an MRI, which revealed the tear and will cause him to have surgery in the coming days. Mountaineers' head coach Dana Holgorsen announced the injury through a press release.

It had appeared as if Ferns was going to see a heavy workload this season. The freshman, who didn't announce his commitment to the Mountaineers until National Signing Day in February, had been working with the second-team defense and drawing high praise from defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.

Ferns' injury was another on the list of what's proven to be a costly summer for the Mountaineers, who are coming off an 8-5 season and a victory in the Cactus Bowl.

West Virginia has now lost four players for extended periods of time on the defensive side of the ball. He joins leading-returning tackler Dravon Askew-Henry and defensive lineman Jaleel Fields on the out-for-the-season list. Xavier Pegues could return later in the season, but is expected to be out at least until November. Askew-Henry also suffered a torn ACL.

Ferns chose West Virginia after receiving upwards of 50 scholarship offers thanks to a brilliant prep career with the Red Devils. As a senior, he was named Ohio's Division IV Defensive Player of the Year with more than 120 tackles. He was St. Clairsville's leading rusher (1,066 and 18 touchdowns), leading receiver (27 catches for 600 yards and four touchdowns) and leading tackler.

Though he'll miss the season, Ferns won't lose the season of college eligibility. He will take a redshirt and have four full seasons remaining.

Before the injury Ferns was one of three former area standouts challenging for action with the Mountaineers.

His older brother, Michael, is vying for time at fullback and is listed second on the depth chart behind Elijah Wellman. He's listed as a redshirt sophomore. He took a redshirt at the University of Michigan as a freshman and then transferred to WVU. He sat out last season, fulfilling his NCAA transfer requirement.

Union Local grad Colton McKivitz is currently listed as a co-starter at right tackle. He, too, sat out last season as a redshirt and earned WVU's Scout Team Player of the Year. He's also drawn high praise from the coaches, including both Holgorsen and offensive line coach Ron Crook.

The Mountaineers open their season on Sept. 3 against Missouri.