4. Doug Nester
Kenova, W.Va native and Spring Valley High School alum Doug Nester started his football career playing for Virginia Tech, a bitter rival of WVU.
Nester, an offensive lineman, transferred to WVU in 2021 when then-head coach Neal Brown and staff 're-recruited' Nester after he decided to leave Virginia Tech. While at WVU, Nester played in 36 games for the Mountaineers. Nester was named to the All-Big 12 Conference Second Team (PFF College) in 2021 and was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Conference First Team for 2022 and 2023.
The former WVU standout spent his rookie NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and recently rerere-signed a contract with the organization.
5. Tony Fields II
After spending his first three seasons of college football, Tony Fields II transferred to WVU in 2020. Fields would become a crucial piece of the Mountaineer defense in his one season in Morgantown. The senior linebacker would finish first in the Big 12 and 27th nationally in tackles per game (9.8) in 2020.
Fields was also awarded the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year award for his one year as a Mountaineer, as well as being selected to the AP All-Big 12 First Team.
The former WVU linebacker was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.
Honorable Mentions:
Austin Kendall
Kendall, the former WVU quarterback, was a transfer from Oklahoma University and started nine games in one season with the Mountaineers.
Jarrett Doege
The former Mountaineer quarterback, Jarrett Doege, was a transfer from Bowling Green. Doege spent two seasons in Morgantown (2019-2020), starting in 13 games, and was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team (Pro Football Focus).