That guy still frightens me. West Virginia linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton is one my of very favorites to talk to — of course — but also one of those guys I would not want to see when I look across the line of scrimmage, which I suppose is the point.

He’s one of three returning starters on defense, and that total grows if and when you consider Dravon Askew-Henry started for three seasons before last summer’s ACL injury.

The free safety keeps the roof on the defense. The spur safety, where 220-pound Kyzir White returns, is the most involved position. The weak side linebacker is where tackling machine David Long starts. Those are all important jobs, so while the Mountaineers are indeed replacing any starters, they’re nevertheless all right when it comes to experience in key positions.

And then there’s Benton.

He’s a big piece of it all, because the middle linebacker is in charge of so much. He’s literally in the middle of everything and everyone, and he’s part of the most important partnership on defense with the nose guard, a relationship we’ve explored before.

Benton will miss Darrien Howard, who only had the most prolific season for a nose guard in WVU’s 3-3-5, and he’s getting used to three replacements: Jaleel Fields, Xavier Pegues and Jalen Harvey.

“They’re all different, but one thing I love about it is I understand how all of them play and they understand how I play when they get in there,” Benton said. “It doesn’t matter who rotates in or rotates out. They all contribute and make plays. That’s going to be the biggest thing for this defense.”

WVU planned to use Fields last season behind Howard, and Benton recognizes Fields’ reliability.

“He’s good at controlling the gap,” Benton said. “If he’s supposed to be in the ‘A’ gap, he’s going to be in the ‘A’ gap, and you will not be able to run through there.”

Pegues was thought to be a defensive end when he arrived, but at 6-foot-2 and 289 pounds, he can handle himself inside.

“Raw strength, man,” Benton said. “He’s one of those guys who can dominate the center. I haven’t seen much from the spring where you can single-block him, because he’s so strong. He’s able to get off the block and make plays in the backfield. He demands double teams.”

Harvey was recruited to play the position, and the 6-2, 340-pounder had 11 1/2 tackles for a loss and five sacks in two junior college seasons.

“He moves fast, a lot faster than you’d think,” Benton said. “He uses his hands really well and gets off blocks quickly. He can penetrate and clog the running lanes, because he’s so quick.”