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Starter says 4-star freshman Ferns didn’t arrive feeling entitled

Related Topics: Freshman, Linebacker

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Upon enrolling in June, Brendan Ferns had the recruiting services, not to mention most West Virginia fans, convinced he would become the program’s next great linebacker.

Then came the part that mattered more: Convincing his new teammates.

West Virginia freshman linebacker Brendan Ferns watches during Tuesday’s first preseason practice.

Al-Rasheed Benton, the promising junior who commands WVU’s middle linebacker spot this season, began a cautious appraisal.

“I took a couple days to feel him out, see what kind of person he is,” Benton said. “A lot of guys like that come in and feel like it’s something they already earned, something they deserve.