I’ve been tracking Tyler Anderson throughout the spring — and actually longer. He was a signing day story in 2009 when he decided to pursue his potential and walk on at WVU rather than take a scholarship at Bowling Green. People at Morgantown High told me the kid would play for WVU, as opposed to could.

Looks like everyone was right. He’s still a walk on, though that could be just a matter of time, and he’s made the most of the coaching changes and the fluid depth chart. He’s listed as the No. 1 defensive end but is really going to play the Buck linebacker position most of the time.

And why is that? How is it that a smallish defensive end and a walk on linebacker has such definitive plans?

Versatility, quickness and leverage are key ingredients for Holgorsen’s defensive staff as the Mountaineers head toward the speed drill that is Big 12 Conference football. Anderson isn’t worried about having to wrestle 300-pound offensive linemen … mostly because he won’t be put into that position very often.

“We’re going to blitz a lot, and try to bring in a fourth, or a fifth, or a sixth guy 80 percent of the time,” DeForest said. “What that does is hopefully get the ball out of the quarterback’s hand quicker.

“When you attack the quarterback, he has to react quicker, and hopefully that will give us the chance to create more turnovers.”