Brendan Ferns entered the West Virginia football program with a lot of expectations.

The highest rated prospect to sign with the Mountaineers last February, Ferns bypassed offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Alabama and a number of others to sign with Dana Holgorsen’s program.

One look at Ferns and he doesn’t look like a typical freshman standing 6-foot-2, 228-pounds but it’s another aspect of his game that has him moving up the depth chart at linebacker.

“He is very, very, very smart and once his feet catch up to his brain he’s going to be very good,” defensive coordinator Tony Gibson said.

From the first time he arrived on campus in early June, Ferns displayed a high football IQ while soaking up all of the information he could at the position. And that has only continued that during the grind of fall camp showing an understanding of what he needs to do in the meeting rooms as well as his responsibilities at the positon.

“He understands our scheme, understands how to leverage the ball and understands fronts,” Gibson said. “At this point I really like where he’s at.”

Ferns worked as the second team MIKE linebacker behind redshirt junior Al-Rasheed Benton during the scrimmage Saturday and was around the ball during his time on the field. It’s not a surprise to those that have watched him develop as Ferns has been running with that second team unit for the past week.

Gibson has already made it clear that Ferns is in line to see action this fall and while Benton is currently entrenched as the starter how much will be up to him.

“He’s long athletic and he can tackle,” Gibson said. “Every day you just see him getting better and better and better. He’s probably the one young kid that when the lights go on it won’t affect him.”

The starting MIKE linebacker Benton has served as a mentor of sorts for Ferns and has helped him understand that everybody has to go through a transition from high school to college football.

And while it’s a little scary at times it’s important to remember that it’s just football, a game he’s played for years.

“From the first day he was ready to learn the system and it’s worked well for him. He showed that interest in how he can help the defense and contribute,” he said.

And while it is his mental side that has impressed coaches and players the most he does bring things to the table with his long, lean frame. It’s something that even veterans have noticed.

“Physically he came in more ready than I was my freshman year. He makes a lot of physical plays and is gifted. It’s all coming together for him an he’ll be a really good player,” Benton said. “Trust me.”