Karl Joseph West Virginia returning
Karl Joseph was an All-Big 12 safety in 2014. (USATSI)

West Virginia appears to be well-stocked with experience on defense heading into 2015, especially with the reported return of safety Karl Joseph for his senior season.

Joseph was an All-Big 12 selection in 2014 at safety, his first year at the position after playing cornerback his first two seasons in Morgantown. The hard-hitting junior finished second on the team in tackles (92) with 4.5 tackles for loss, an interception and three forced fumbles. 

According to the Charleston Daily Mail, Joseph sent paperwork to the NFL Draft advisory board but has informed the team that he plans to return for one more year.

The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2015 NFL Draft is Jan. 15. 

West Virginia's defense will lose defensive end Shaq Riddick and linebacker Wes Tonkery but should have the rest of the starting lineup back for next season. Statistically, WVU ranked near the middle of the Big 12 for total defense (399.4 yards per game, 5.43 yards per play) but those numbers were lower than 2012 and 2013, seasons when the Mountaineers defense was doing more harm than good at times.