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(UWIRE) MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Out of the 941 total tackles recorded by the West Virginia University football defense in 2007, only 477.5 of those were recorded from players that will return in 2008.
In addition, 52.4 percent of those remaining tackles were made by WVU's returning linebackers, despite the unit losing its staple at middle linebacker -- Marc Magro.
But with Reed Williams and Mortty Ivy, WVU's top-two tacklers from last season, returning, it is likely that the Mountaineer defense will be set in the middle.
And with only four defensive starters (Quinton Andrews, Scooter Berry, Ivy and Williams) returning from the Mountaineers' 48-28 Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma on Jan. 2, that experience at the linebacker positions will be crucial during the summer months leading up to the season opener against Villanova on Aug. 30.
The veterans at linebacker have already helped create some consistency this spring -- something that will help the entire defense, which is replacing four starters in the secondary and two along the defensive line.
"We've had to go into spring practice with our heads high and know that we've got to work together, and that's the only way we are going to accomplish anything," Ivy said. "A lot of things happen when you lose guys like we did -- a lot of senior leaders.
"A lot of people look down on it, but we've got a couple guys who are seniors, and we've got a couple of guys that played as juniors, and they've just got to step up now."
Not only has the unit helped bring the defense together this spring, it has also gained greater depth as younger players have stepped up.
"I don't know that after 14 practices you can get all that well, but I think we have good chemistry, and I think we are having some leaders emerge," said WVU defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel. "I think that they are playing well together at times, and there are times when they are inconsistent, as well. It's a typical spring practice."
With Williams out this spring recovering from surgery, other players had the chance to gain experience alongside Ivy and JT Thomas.
"It's not really the depth, but it's the fact that a lot of players have played and know what they are doing," Ivy said. "We've got a lot of players who work hard at the linebacker position, and we will be alright."
Pat Lazear, a sophomore who recorded 14 tackles in his freshman season, has taken advantage of the extra playing time available because of Williams' injury.
Casteel called Lazear, along with Ivy and Thomas, the most consistent and impressive linebackers this spring.
