One final position to cover – linebacker. The linebacker starting 3 returns intact from the last season but its depth and looking to the future that will be the long-term task here. As a starting 3 this LB corps is probably one of the better, if not the best, units in the Big Sky. However this season these LBs are going to be tested and relied upon even more. Last year the LB’s had the support of an experienced and senior-heavy D-line. This year the D-line is breaking in 3 new starters and this year’s DT’s are lighter this year than we’ve seen in quite a few recent years.
Starters
OLB – Herbert Gamboa
MLB – Jeremiah Kose
OLB – Kendrick Van Ackeren
Backups
OLB – Connor Lebsock
MLB – Connor Strahm
OLB – Alex Thomas
Depth
Zach Vis, Josh Buss, Shane Cochran, Gage Smith, David Fa’atuise, Dante Olson, Cy Sirmon
(side note, surprised to not see Richtmeyer on the roster – he had a strong spring camp)
------------------
The starters as I said are a known quantity – what I’d like to see from this group is more forced turnovers while remaining strong with their tackling. KVA forced 1 int / 1 fumble, Kose had 2 ints, and Gamboa forced 1 fumble. That’s just 5 forced turnovers for the whole season. When you add in fumble recoveries it’s also worth pointing out though that KVA had 3, Kose 1, and Gamboa 1. However when you step back – this group forced just 5 turnovers last year. The last dynamic trio we had as seniors (Tripp, Coyle, JP) forced 14 turnovers as a group. This LB corps should set similar goals – keep up the efficiency but add in more takeaways.
I really like the starting group, Kose is a big enforcer and surprisingly quick and smart on the field. KVA and Gamboa are both much faster and agile than many other OLB’s we’ve had before and we saw the improvement in pass coverage from the LB’s immediately last year. Remember that these two plus Lebsock are all converted safeties. The four seniors of the LB corps represent the primary experience and leadership of the defense. These guys will be looked upon to be the leaders of the “darkside”.
The depth I’m taking a bit of a guess at with MLB and one spot at OLB. Schye is a DE this year or I’d think he’d be the backup here and I thought I read that Strahm is moving to the middle. Of the younger corps Thomas, Cochran, Vis, and Buss all showed some flashes of the future this spring, Thomas stood out to me. Without Addison Owen on the team anymore either there’s going to be some opportunity for 1 or 2 of our RS-frosh LBs to get in on the mix. These guys are young and show it – issues in pass coverage from time to time but then would come back with a tremendous stop or interception. This year will be key for this group to mature as our starting 3 plus Lebsock all are seniors.
I’m going to guess that our 3 true freshman will probably be red shirted however Fa’atuise is an interesting prospect, I can’t help but wonder if Strahm isn’t looked at the be the backup mike-backer then Fa’atuise may get a look for the backup job right away.
Starters
OLB – Herbert Gamboa
MLB – Jeremiah Kose
OLB – Kendrick Van Ackeren
Backups
OLB – Connor Lebsock
MLB – Connor Strahm
OLB – Alex Thomas
Depth
Zach Vis, Josh Buss, Shane Cochran, Gage Smith, David Fa’atuise, Dante Olson, Cy Sirmon
(side note, surprised to not see Richtmeyer on the roster – he had a strong spring camp)
------------------
The starters as I said are a known quantity – what I’d like to see from this group is more forced turnovers while remaining strong with their tackling. KVA forced 1 int / 1 fumble, Kose had 2 ints, and Gamboa forced 1 fumble. That’s just 5 forced turnovers for the whole season. When you add in fumble recoveries it’s also worth pointing out though that KVA had 3, Kose 1, and Gamboa 1. However when you step back – this group forced just 5 turnovers last year. The last dynamic trio we had as seniors (Tripp, Coyle, JP) forced 14 turnovers as a group. This LB corps should set similar goals – keep up the efficiency but add in more takeaways.
I really like the starting group, Kose is a big enforcer and surprisingly quick and smart on the field. KVA and Gamboa are both much faster and agile than many other OLB’s we’ve had before and we saw the improvement in pass coverage from the LB’s immediately last year. Remember that these two plus Lebsock are all converted safeties. The four seniors of the LB corps represent the primary experience and leadership of the defense. These guys will be looked upon to be the leaders of the “darkside”.
The depth I’m taking a bit of a guess at with MLB and one spot at OLB. Schye is a DE this year or I’d think he’d be the backup here and I thought I read that Strahm is moving to the middle. Of the younger corps Thomas, Cochran, Vis, and Buss all showed some flashes of the future this spring, Thomas stood out to me. Without Addison Owen on the team anymore either there’s going to be some opportunity for 1 or 2 of our RS-frosh LBs to get in on the mix. These guys are young and show it – issues in pass coverage from time to time but then would come back with a tremendous stop or interception. This year will be key for this group to mature as our starting 3 plus Lebsock all are seniors.
I’m going to guess that our 3 true freshman will probably be red shirted however Fa’atuise is an interesting prospect, I can’t help but wonder if Strahm isn’t looked at the be the backup mike-backer then Fa’atuise may get a look for the backup job right away.
