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ORLANDO, Fla.--The worst kept secret coming out of the Camping World Bowl was the one surrounding the fate of redshirt junior linebacker David Long Jr.
On Saturday the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year made it official -- he would not be returning to West Virginia for his senior season and would opt to enter the upcoming NFL Draft.
"I would like to thank Coach (Dana) Holgorsen and Coach (Tony) Gibson for giving me a chance that not many people get," Long said via the internet. "Thank you for staying on me and coaching me to be the best player and person I can be. I am very grateful for everything.
"With that being said I have talked with family and prayed over it, numerous times and I have decided to forgo my senior year and enter the 2019 NFL Draft. This has been my dream since I was young, and I thank everyone that has supported me along the way. I will continue to represent this great state and program wherever I go."
Long was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press, Walter Camp, The Football Foundation and The Athletic.
After redshirting as a true freshman in 2015, the 2018 Butkus Award semifinalist amassed 252 tackles in his three seasons for WVU. His 40 tackles for loss tie him for the third most in WVU history.
A fourth-year junior, the Cincinnati native has already earned his bachelor's degree.
His departure opens the door for St. Clairsville native Brendan Ferns to break into the starting lineup during spring drills.
Ferns, who missed all but the final four games of the regular season and WVU's bowl game against Syracuse, came out of last year's spring drills as one of the top two linebackers at the middle linebacker position.
Also looking to take over for Long will be redshirt senior Quondarius Qualls -- like Ferns -- is coming back from an injury which kept him out of the Mountaineers' depth chart until November.
Veteran defensive coordinator Tony Gibson will also regain the services of Bridgeport native Dylan Tonkery, who finished with 22 tackles (10 solo) in only five games this past season, and Alabama transfer VanDarius Cowan.
"As I have said all year, David Long is one of the best, if not the best linebacker, in the nation," WVU coach Dana Holgorsen said. "He has been a leader for our team on and off the field for several years and he is prepared to take that next step. We are proud of David and what he has meant to this program, especially that he is leaving here with his degree. We wish David the best for future success in all he does."