WKU Football: UofL Linebacker Staples Transfers To WKU
Just a few hours after we heard news broke that WKU would be adding a former 4-star linebacker from UGA, Western Kentucky Football got…
Just a few hours after we heard news broke that WKU would be adding a former 4-star linebacker from UGA, Western Kentucky Football got more good news as Louisville Linebacker Malik Staples announced that he would be grad transferring to the Hill.
Staples has graduated from Louisville and will be immediately eligible for Tyson Helton’s program. Originally a three-star athlete out of Suwanee, Georgia, Staples played sparingly during his three-year career in Louisville. He started out as a linebacker in 2016 and appeared in 13 games, mainly on special teams as he garnered 5 tackles. In 2017 he appeared in just 7 games totally 4 tackles.
Last season Staples was moved to running back and didn’t appear in any games during Louisville’s dumpster fire 2018 season. During the season he was suspended for the Kentucky game by the interim staff after Bobby Petrino’s dismissal. Staples did participate in Louisville’s spring practice as the new staff moved him back to the defense but he didn’t gell with them and announced he was leaving the program.
Staples is 6–1 228 pounds and will instantly help a linebacking unit that lost linebackers Masai Whyte & Ben Holt. We know that he’ll be immediately eligible (not sure about Hunter yet). While generally unproven on the field he’ll bring much-needed depth and competition and help hopefully help cover Eli Brown’s foot injury.
Tyson Helton keeps upgrading the talent level on WKU’s roster as he’s now gained transfer commitments from Arkansas, Georgia & Louisville over the past 4 months. The good vibes continue as we’re just 89 days away from the season kickoff opener against Central Arkansas.