There’s something pretty interesting about Paul Millard. The freshman quarterback walks around with a poise that defies his age, but this far defines his time at WVU. He tells Dana Holgorsen and Geno Smith he’ll be the starting quarterback. He’s kidding, of course, but it seems like he’s wired that way, too.

Consider this: He was asked why he felt fit to stay when Jeremy Johnson and Barry Brunetti and Brian Athey and others had not. Very good question and The point was those guys knew Geno wasn’t going anywhere and wasn’t going to be beaten, yet Millard had stayed even though he wasn’t going to be playing for two years.

Millard didn’t necessarily agree with that statement.

Then there’s his friendship with Smith. The established star says they are “good friends.” The freshman says it was he who first suggested they hang out and get to know one another. Maybe it’s inevitable they become friends, but this fast? And with Millard being so bold as to push for it? It doesn’t happen that way at that position in college. There are guys who share a spot or battle for a role and they can’t stand one another, sometimes because of the nature of their relationship.

Perhaps Smith and Millard watch film together and work out together and throw passes together, but Xbox and television and pizza and stuff like that? So soon? That’s kind of neat.

And that’s what has helped Millard feel so comfortable in a time that would not be as accommodating for many others.

Not long after Millard arrived at WVU, his father passed away. He returned home to be with his family — his mother and three brothers — and no one at WVU knew what was going to happen next. Shannon Dawson, the inside receiver’s coach, was recruiting Millard when he was coaching at Stephen F.  Austin and he knew Millard better than anyone at WVU then. He was worried Millard and what might come of him in that situation. “Put it this way,” Dawson said. “He made it easier on everyone else with the way he handled it.”

Millard called Dawson a day or two after the funeral and said he was ready to return to WVU and to get back to workouts and preparing for the season. Dawson reiterated Millard could take all the time he needed, but Millard was just as persistent he was ready to go again. Dawson wasn’t sure, but was nevertheless pleased with Millard’s attitude. Millard was just ready to begin the long journey back to normalcy.

When you look at it now and you believe Millard — his arm and his swagger and his ability — is good for WVU, you understand WVU was good for Millard.

“I think it’s extremely important to get back to work,” Dawson said. “Everyone who’s dealt with people dying close to them, the bottom, like is as sad as it might seem, life goes on. Everyone has to go back to work. Everyone has to go on with their lives.

“It’s hard to say when it’s your dad or one of your parents or a brother. People handle it different ways, but I think you’ve got to occupy your mind.”

Millard returned to the team and Smith never asked Millard about it until Millard opened up one day. Smith tried to lend advice, but also told Millard he knew he had a friend whenever he needed one.

It’s only progressed since then as Millard has become one of the Mountaineers.

“It’s definitely been hard being away from home and being away from my family, but I’ve definitely found some friendships on the team,” Millard said. “There’s a bunch of freshmen who’ve come in who are my age and in my class and meeting some more guys to hang out with has been good for me. I’ve gotten to know a lot of good people. It’s the best situation for me.”