West Virginia signs former Michigan LB Michael Ferns

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Former Michigan linebacker Michael Ferns is transferring to West Virginia.

Coach Dana Holgorsen announced the signings of Ferns and defensive back Rasul Douglas on Friday.

The 6-foot-3 Ferns did not play this year as a freshman at Michigan, where he received his release to transfer after Brady Hoke was fired. A native of St. Clairsville, Ohio, Ferns will have to sit out the 2015 season due to NCAA transfer rules.

The 6-2 Douglas had 43 tackles and two interceptions this season at Nassau Community College in Garden City, New York.

Earlier this week the Mountaineers signed 6-5 defensive end Larry Jefferson from Itawamba Community College in Fulton, Mississippi, where he had 35 tackles this season.