By Mitch Vingle
MORGANTOWN - Sometimes in reporting you'll find that story within a story.
In this case, though, there's that story within a story within a story.
If you're a WVU football fan, you know the news story: Justin Arndt will probably start at Sam (strong-side linebacker) because Xavier Preston is out of the opener for disciplinary reasons.
You might even know the back-story on Arndt. He was a walk-on from Martinsburg High, where his team won Class AAA state titles his junior and senior seasons. He was lightly regarded as a prospect, yet won the Tommy Nickolich Award for his scout team work and given a scholarship in the spring of 2015.
But wait, there's more.
Just talk to the kid and you'll see what I mean.
This guy represents WVU, the state and, specifically, Martinsburg in every way. He's an ambassador. He's a team leader. And he's a Bulldog.
Now a redshirt senior, Arndt took some time and reflected on the journey the other day. Remember, he held offers from schools like Shepherd and Fairmont (he says he probably would have gone to FSU if not WVU), but chose the more difficult route. ("I really didn't want to go D-II," he said.)
Yet it wasn't easy.
"I'd probably say the hardest part was that first spring," he said. "I was like, 'Geez, I really hate this. I don't like this.' But I talked to family and friends, who gave me good advice."
The worst part?
"Just watching," Arndt said. "You don't get many opportunities, so you're not out there much. There are so many kids on defense and everyone is competing for a spot. You don't always get many reps to start with."
He said you "make the most of what you get."
And sometimes, just sometimes, the hard work pays off. Arndt has played in every game the last two seasons and played in nine as a redshirt freshman. Now, he's not only a serious contributor, but a mentor.
"A walk-on asked me the other day, 'Does it get better?' I said, 'Yeah, but it takes time. I was there in your spot. Just keep the mindset that you'll make it.'"
That linebacker was Jonah Campbell of Morgantown, brother to redshirt freshman linebacker Shea.
"I tell them just to work hard day in and day out," Arndt said. "You might not see the light at the end of the tunnel now, but it takes time - like everything. Sometimes it takes longer."
He went on.
"In the beginning you can't worry about the depth chart. It's all about you as an individual and proving yourself through the scout team. Give it what you have and make the best of it."
Of course, sometimes there are other obstacles to hurdle. Arndt had his smallish 5-foot-11 frame.
"It gives me a chip on my shoulder," Arndt said. "People don't think I can do what I do. But I have speed. I have intelligence. I try to use those to my advantage. I know some matchups won't go in my favor, but I try to be ahead of the play and see it before it starts. That helps a lot."
Also, WVU's 3-3-5 defense relies more on speed and is a little more forgiving in regard to size.
"At Sam, it's all about making plays, so you're only as good as the people in front of you," Arndt said. "If they play well, it helps us play well. Make plays in space. You don't want to miss tackles."
He said he believes the Mountaineer defense will surprise many because of one trait.
"Our work ethic," Arndt said. "In the defensive backfield, we've all been shadows to guys who got drafted [into the NFL]. And we want to make names for ourselves like those guys did. We've been working three and four years now."
Oh, and about being picked to finish seventh in the Big 12? Arndt doesn't believe that for a second. Maybe because of his upbringing.
"You go to Martinsburg and they don't know anything about preseason rankings," he said. "They think we're No. 1 no matter what. They believe in us and we believe in us."
Spoken like a true Bulldog.
Contact Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827 or mitchvingle@wvgazettemail.com. Follow him on Twitter @MitchVingle.