Former Southern Cal defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow joins the West Virginia Mountaineers

Dana Holgorsen and company didn’t waste any time finding what they believe is a suitable replacement for the departing Lamonte McDougle - or at least a piece to the puzzle. Former USC Trojans defensive tackle Kenny Bigelow has announced he will join the West Virginia Mountaineers this season as a graduate transfer.

Bigelow was granted a sixth season of eligibility after two separate ACL injuries led to him missing the 2014 and 2016 football seasons for the Trojans. Bigelow played as a reserve defensive tackle during the 2015 season, and saw action in 13 games. In 2017, Bigelow played sparingly through the first half of the season before deciding to retire from football. He transitioned to a role on the USC staff midway through the year, helping mentor some of the Trojans’ younger talent. He applied for and was granted his sixth year of eligibility in November, and announced he would transfer to a different school.

Bigelow attended Eastern Christian Academy, where he was teammates with former Mountaineers Daikiel Shorts and Wendell Smallwood. Bigelow was rated a five-star prospect in the 2013 recruiting class, and was the No. 1 rated defensive tackle in the class. He was recruited to Southern Cal by current LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron, and will now be the highest rated recruit to ever sign with the Mountaineers.