Photo courtesy of BlueGoldNews.com Braden Siders will be counted on heavily in WVU’s pass rush this season.

MORGANTOWN — The start of basketball season doesn’t isn’t until November, but West Virginia University’s athletic department is spending far too much time on the court these days.

No, not the basketball court. That’s a different arena than the federal court which is hearing the lawsuits from WVU football recruits pass rusher Jimmori Robinson, wide receiver Jeff Weimer, running back Tye Edwards and safety Justin Harrington, who sued the NCAA in an attempt to obtain eligibility waivers for the rapidly approaching season.

Earlier this week the pass rusher, Robinson, saw his attempt to add other year to his resume sacked when an NCAA lawyer revealed that the transfer from University of Texas San Antonio had not completed his class work at his previous school and was academically ineligible to play this season, making his lawsuit a moot point.

This, you might say, was PUNishment enough, but in reality it truly threw the Mountaineers for a loss, as they had recruited Robinson with the belief that he could develop into their top pass rusher.

Last year he ranked seventh in the NCAA in sacks with the six ahead of him now trying to earn a living on NFL rosters.

Of the many areas in which WVU was in need, this was among the most important for the Mountaineers recorded only 20 sacks in 13 games last season to rank 108th among the 133 teams NCAA Division 1.

That’s only three sacks more than the 17 Canute Curtis had himself while setting the school single-season record in 1996.

WVU, of course, isn’t just going to punt on its plans to provide pressure on the quarterback this season, that being a key component of new defensive coordinator Zac Alley’s aggressive defense, so it elevates the importance of Wyoming transfer Braden Siders, who compiled 14 sacks in three years as a defensive end for the Cowboys.

Siders transferred to WVU, joining a high school teammate, Chase Wilson, who also transferred in from Colorado State, reuniting them, Alley would hope, as “Bash Brothers” on his defense.

Siders has been moved into the Bandit position which is described as part defensive end, part linebacker, part safety … oh, yeah, and there’s also some coverage like a corner.

Physically, Siders fit the mold. He’s 6-2, 238 pounds and is known as a hitter. Not a JJ Wetherholt kind of hitter but more a Karl Joseph type of hitter.

“He plays really hard,” Rodriguez said a while ago in media session. “He’s an athletic guy who is really intelligent. He’s one of those really good pass rushers who is also probably going to be a really good special teams’ guy, too. We added five or six guys since spring ball to get after the quarterback.”

It was the kind of defense Alley promised to bring to WVU when he was hired that got Siders to WVU. He originally committed to play at Arizona but thought the fit was better with the Mountaineers.

“I mean, the competition level,” Siders said. “I’d say the biggest thing is I just kind of needed a reset. I was in Wyoming for five years. I kind of needed to change.”

You can’t find out how good you are until you challenge the best and now Siders has an opportunity to do that.

WVU defensive assistant Jeff Casteel isn’t asking for miracles out of his bandit room, but will take them if they are there.

“It’ll be nice if the guys all get 10 sacks apiece, but it’s just affecting the quarterback,” Casteel said. “If we can affect the quarterback, turn the ball in when we’re supposed to turn the ball in, that’s what our guys have to do. We’re talking about trying to be physical every play, knocking people back.”

That’s just what Siders has been looking for.

“(Coach Casteel) has been amazing,” he said. “He wants us to get off the block and run to the ball. That’s what it comes down to.

“I’m so thankful,” he continued. “He’s what you want. Old school, in my opinion, is the way to be sometimes. There are times when he puts his arm around you, and then there are others when he’s screaming, and spit is going everywhere.

“It’s the best of both worlds.”