West Virginia linebacker VanDarius Cowan was suspended for the first four games of the season due to NCAA eligibility issues, according to multiple reports Wednesday.
The Alabama transfer will miss the Mountaineers’ games against James Madison, Missouri, North Carolina State and Kansas. He could return Oct. 5 when Texas visits Morgantown.
West Virginia coach Neal Brown recently called the 6-foot-4, 235-pound sophomore his best natural pass rusher.
Cowan was a four-star member of the Crimson Tide’s 2017 recruiting class, and ranked as the nation’s No. 4 outside linebacker by the 247Sports Composite.
Alabama dismissed Cowan in July 2018 for violating team rules. He appeared in seven games and made two tackles as a freshman.
Cowan also ran into trouble off the field at Alabama. He was charged with third-degree assault following an incident at a Tuscaloosa bar in June 2018.
