:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60812807/usa_today_9691184.0.jpg)
According to Allan Taylor of WV MetroNews, freshman tight end Mike O’Laughlin has suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entire 2018 season.
#WVU freshman tight end Mike O'Laughlin out with torn ACL. Expecting to hear more from Holgorsen today. https://t.co/TlGbVnRGZS pic.twitter.com/s10J9MgWoE
— Allan Taylor (@GAllanTaylor) August 12, 2018
O’Laughlin, who was part of a tight-knit 2018 recruiting class, will have surgery and redshirt in 2018. Mike stands 6’-5” and caught 109 passes for almost 1,900 yards and 19 touchdowns over his final two high school seasons. O’Laughlin would have been behind Miami Hurricanes transfer Jovani Haskins so it’s not certain he would have seen playing time in 2018 but this injury guarantees he won’t.
The unfortunate part of football are injuries and for West Virginia this is just another blow. Quondarius Qualls and Brendan Ferns also suffered ACL injuries. Qualls was standing out according to reports and given the time of the injury, could be back late in the season. Ferns, a heralded prospects in 2016 has suffered a significant knee injury three straight seasons.
UPDATE: Chris Anderson of EerSports.com is reporting that freshman wide receiver Dillon Spalding has suffered an ankle injury and will also be out for the season.