There is, however, a new order within West Virginia's football camp.

On Thursday, the Gazette learned the Mountaineer tailback position has a new shape.

With a little over two weeks remaining before WVU begins the season at home against Marshall, new head coach Dana Holgorsen has installed Andrew Buie No. 1 in the ongoing battle of true freshmen.

As featured in Thursday's Gazette, Buie is a 5-foot-9, 191-pound speedster from Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Fla.

Buie has been battling Vernard Roberts, named No. 1 coming out of spring drills, and Dustin Garrison of Pearland, Texas.

As it stands, however, Buie is at the top of the depth chart, while Garrison is No. 2 and Roberts No. 3.

"Buie has a lot of speed," Garrison said earlier this week. "He hits the hole really fast. Once he gets one-on-one with a 'backer, it's done. He has moves and the speed. His top speed is real fast. Defenders have angles on him and with those angles they still can't get to him. With that speed, it's really incredible."

At least for now, Buie has zoomed to the top of the depth chart.

In this space on Wednesday, you read about how Mountaineer defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel is seeking consistency within his very young unit.

He did, however, point to one projected starting newcomer that has "done a consistent job day in and out." That's strong-side linebacker Doug Rigg, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound sophomore from Oradell, N.J.

"I think I'm getting better and better every day," Rigg said. "I'm able to see things faster, react faster. I'm not thinking as much as I did last year. I'm mostly just focused on playing fast and staying low - fundamental stuff. I'm not worrying about plays because I can see [them] faster now."

It's easy to forget that players sometime have to adjust not only to college and the size and speed of the game, but to new schemes as well.

"I came from a 4-3 [defensive alignment] in high school and it took a much different mindset to adjust," Rigg said. "Playing in that type of defense then going to a 3-3-5 [is different]. You have to play into people, even when you don't want to. So you just have to get the mindset that I'm going down; I'm going to hit somebody every single play."

Last year, Rigg gained experience by playing in all 13 games and recording 14 tackles. He has perspective on how the rebuilding Mountaineer defense is faring.

"At first during camp, we were inconsistent,'' said the linebacker. "But we're starting to put it together now. We're realizing we're going to make mistakes because we're young, but the biggest thing is flying to the ball.

"If we get to the ball, run to it, that covers up a lot of mistakes. You won't even be able to tell if someone makes a mistake out there."

The makeup of the unit, however, is different.

"Last year's defense had a lot of experience,'' Rigg said. "[The players] really knew what it took. Us, now, we don't really know what it takes. We have a lot of new people filling in. The thing is, we have to practice as hard as if it were a game. We're going to be on the field for a long time.

"We will make mistakes. That's why effort is the most important thing for this team. We have a lot of speed and we have to use it."

Rigg smiled.

"I think we have as much, if not more, speed than last year's team. We're going to have to use that to our advantage."

Reach Mitch Vingle at              304-348-4827, mitchvin...@wvgazette.com or follow him at twitter.com/MitchVingle.