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The speed of college football was totally different than what he had seen in high school, when he was a two-time All-Gazette defensive first team selection at Whitman and Wheaton Highs, and he was expected to help the team as a special teamer and linebacker right away. Lazear was one of six true freshmen to see playing time for the Mountaineers last season, amassing 13 tackles, primarily on special teams.

"It took a while to get a feel for the game speed," Lazear said. "I knew that they wanted me to play right away, and I was happy to be able to do what I was able to do when I got on the field, but I would have liked to do a little more. Defense here is nothing like it was in high school."

In fact, Lazear said it took him more than just last fall to figure out what his coaches wanted him to do. Most of his tackles he chalked up to sheer athleticism, and when he was on the field at linebacker, he just tried not to make mistakes. But by the start of practice last spring, something had clicked.

"I think I started to understand what it is they wanted me to do out there," Lazear said. "I feel like I have been progressing pretty steadily, but I would not say that I am totally there yet. I know what is expected of me, though."

Now that he is a sophomore, what is expected of Lazear is more. In spring practice, he was moved from the strong side to middle linebacker, splitting time with Anthony Leonard behind two-year starter Reed Williams.

Because of an injury to his shoulder, Williams sat out spring practices, giving Lazear a chance to work out with the first team, which will come in handy. Williams is expected to miss the season opener against Villanova and possibly a few more games, giving Lazear the opportunity to step into the starting lineup.

He's already liking his new position a little more than he initially thought.

"The Mike [middle linebacker] position is more instinctual," Lazear said. "I think I fit in better a little bit there. I am going to try and do the best that I can. I am hoping that Reed Williams will be out there, and I can look to him for some help, but I am preparing to step in and start."

That was not the only offseason change Lazear had to deal with. Rich Rodriguez, the head coach during Lazear's recruitment to West Virginia and during his first season, bolted at the end of the season, taking over the helm at the University of Michigan.

The change could have been more bracing, but Bill Stewart, who guided the Mountaineers in their Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma as the interim head coach, was permanently named to the position. Lazear's position coach, Jeff Casteel, returned to Stewart's staff, as well.

"On that front, nothing has really changed for me," Lazear said. "Everything feels the same."

Yet in many ways, things are very different for Lazear at West Virginia. A member of the Athletic Director's academic honor roll last year, Lazear has put to rest the controversy that surrounded his recruitment.

As a junior at Whitman, Lazear was arrested, along with four other students, in connection with the attempted armed robbery of a Smoothie King store in Bethesda. Lazear was forced to transfer to Wheaton for his senior year, and afterwards pled guilty, served 10 days in jail and received a 10-year suspended sentence.

While other offers from Division I schools dried up, West Virginia's remained. Now in Morgantown, Lazear is putting the past behind him and looking forward to the future.

"I would not say that I am successful yet," he said. "There is a lot more work to do. We'll see how much when the first game rolls around."