Orlosky adjusting to college style, learning from Braun

It is extremely rare for a true freshman offensive lineman to be in a position to find playing time entering the season.

West Virginia offensive guard Tyler Orlosky has done exactly that.

The Cleveland native caught the attention of the Mountaineer coaching staff during fall camp and is currently finding reps with the second string.

Despite the success, adjusting to life on a college football line has been a difficult process.

"The biggest challenge is trying to forget what you learned in high school and try to apply what you’re learning here," Orlosky said. "I’m learning a different technique. It’s not what I’ve done in the past, which makes it a little difficult, but I’m getting it."

What’s the main difference between high school and college for Orlosky?

"It’s definitely more physical than high school," he said. "Guys are faster, bigger, more agile. You’re going against 22- and 23-year-old men, instead of 18-year-old boys. So it’s definitely something I have to get used to."

Orlosky, a four-star recruit according to Scout.com, has had the luxury of working with senior leader Jeff Braun.

"He’s the guy I watch when I’m not on the field," Orlosky said. "When I do something wrong, I always ask him what I did wrong. I want to get better."

Braun has started 26 games in his career and had to move from tackle to guard a season ago.

The veteran Braun took it upon himself to help the inexperienced freshman.

"It was more of him accepting me and helping me, more than it was me going to him," Orlosky said. "He’s done a great job helping me adjust. Hopefully he continues to do so."

Braun admits this line has meshed more as a group than any in his time in Morgantown.

And for a true freshman, Orlosky feels this makes his transition go a little more smoothly.

"I feel like we’ve really bonded. They let me come in as a freshman and have accepted me. It’s very comparable to high school," he said. "In high school, we were always with each other and had a lot of team chemistry. It just helps me, knowing I can turn to those guys for help."

The tips from Braun can’t be undervalued, but Orlosky admits the main catalyst for him improving is simply repetition.

"I’m a lot more comfortable now than I was the first day of camp. I didn’t really know what to do or where to line up at the beginning. I was kind of just going through motions," he said.

"Now, I’m getting reps and starting to take everything in."