MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Heading into the spring football schedule, there are many questions surrounding West Virginia’s quarterback position – both on offense and on defense.

Just as offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen is looking for the right candidate to replace Jarrett Brown under center, defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel is searching for the perfect fit to play quarterback for his defense at the middle linebacker position.

For four seasons, the Mountaineers have been able to go into the spring with Reed Williams set to man the mike spot, even if he ultimately was not able to play the entire season as originally planned.

This year, however, the Morefield native has finally used up all of his eligibility and left the defensive staff to hold open auditions for his replacement.

“It’d be nice if Reed had a sixth year, I guess, but we’ll have some guys who are hungry to be able to take over his role and run the defense,” says Casteel. “[We will] try to get these guys squared around and hopefully we can be aggressive and find the guy who can run the show for us.”

There are plenty of players on the roster willing to take over the position, and many who have already gotten starts along the unit when Williams missed time in the last two seasons. With the likes of Pat Lazear, Anthony Leonard and Najae Goode all returning for West Virginia, it is not a stretch the believe there will not be much of a drop off at middle linebacker.

Still, success at a position is not always just about athletic ability or experience suiting up and getting game action. Casteel says he’s not only looking for someone who can exhibit the qualities he needs physically, but also mentally. It all starts with the confidence that molds a defensive leader.

“I think the more confident a young guy is in knowing what he’s doing, the more he can assume a leadership role,” he says. “I think that may be tough for a young guy who hasn’t been in that role, but once their confidence builds and they start making some plays and making the right calls, that’ll grow in them.”

What he is certain of is that right in front of his linebackers is an extremely talented player who has shown all the intangible qualities he looks for at any position on the defense. That player is Chris Neild, and Casteel says he could use quite a few others who approached every day like his nose guard.

“He is a leader,” says Casteel. “If you talk to anyone in our program, whether it be a coach or a player, that guy does everything right both on the field and off the field.

“It’s easy if you have a bunch of Chris Neilds. Chris Neild makes coaching easy.”

Neild also makes playing a bit simpler for those who man the position directly behind him, which just so happens to be the same position Casteel is searching to solidify throughout spring drills.

“Our linebackers will be in a fistfight trying to be the mike behind him because he’ll make a good football player out of a mike linebacker,” says Casteel.

So perhaps the secret to finding the right player for middle linebacker is no secret at all. Just make sure the guy up front is playing some spectacular defense and taking on double teams like he’s supposed to and let the chips fall where they may. Whatever the process is, Casteel is confident they will find the man for the job.

“We’ll find them. Hopefully we’ll have two or three of them and not just one.”