Position Preview: Linebackers
This is part two of our position preview. In the first installment we talked about the cornerbacks with Coach Dan Jackson. Today we are looking at the linebackers with Coach Jimmy Rogers who has now been with the Jacks since 2013 as the linebackers coach.
The Jacks return freshmen All-American Christian Rozeboom but lose multi-year contributors Jesse Bobbit, Dallas Brown, and Cody Hazelett. The Jacks also lost potential starter Jake Harms to an accumulation of injuries during spring ball. Rogers shared that this is an incredibly deep and talented bunch. What they are lacking in game experience will quickly be erased at the start of the season. He is excited for their potential as a group because they are young, hungry, and talented.
#2 Christian Rozeboom returns for his Sophomore season and as a preseason all MVFC selection. Rozeboom was a finalist for nearly every freshmen award and was on every major freshman All-American team. Rozeboom benefitted last year being flanked by his senior teammates. However, he was still a play-maker for the Jacks registering 132 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. These numbers are simply unheard of for freshmen. Now that he is the veteran of the group, he will be asked to help his teammates diagnose what is coming at them. Now that Rozeboom has his position mastered, Rogers wants him to focus on understanding what everyone else's piece of the puzzle may be.
#53 Dalton Cox is back for his junior year. Jackrabbit fans have come to appreciate Dalton's effort on special teams the past few years. If a big hit is made, he is usually in the middle of it. This year he will provide depth for the MLB and WLB position.
#31 Eric Kleinschmit will battle it out for the WLB position during his junior season. Kleinschmit has been a core special teams player for a few seasons but will now be asked to perform as a play-maker on defense. Kleinschmit is a former walk-on who has paid his dues. Rogers shared that last year Bobbit was only able to practice about a quarter of the time because of injuries. Kleinscmit received all of the practice reps that Bobbit missed. This experience could prove valuable if he moves into a starting role.
#32 Kyle Tuttle joins the active roster after a redshirt season. He will battle with Kleinschmit for playing time at the WLB. Tuttle has great size, 6'3 215lbs. He has unlimited potential but it is about performing in practice and maximizing his opportunities during the games.
#13 Noah Urbanek is a true freshman from Kearney, Nebraska and will compete with Kleinschmit and Tuttle for playing time. Noah has been up in Brookings all summer working to understand the defensive concept. Noah's highlight tape is pretty impressive as he makes big play after big play. The biggest thing working against Noah is experience. It may take him a while, but he should see the field this fall.
#12 Logan Backhaus is another redshirt freshman that will bolster the Jackrabbit defense. Backhaus will lineup as the Sam Linebacker. Coach Rogers shared that Backhaus is extremely smart and picks things up very quickly. Backhaus stood out in spring ball for being in the right spot and making the right reads.
#7 Seven Wilson joins the Jackrabbits as a true freshman from Kansas City. Seven is a thumper. He is extremely fast and likes to hit people. Rogers shared that Seven is also on campus this summer and is working hard to learn the concepts. Wilson has all sorts of potential and could be a rock for the Jackrabbit defense for the next four years.
#39 Bobby Zavagno, #45 Jessup Workman, and #46 Preston Tetzlaff are back for another year ready to compete, add depth, and provide excellent effort on special teams. #16 Brandon Thomas and #48 Jeremy Christner moved to the linebacker room and will provide depth and special teams effort to the Jackrabbit squad while they learn the ropes of their new position. #47 Levi Brown is a true freshman who has tremendous potential and reminds Coach Rogers of Derek Domino.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
The Jacks return freshmen All-American Christian Rozeboom but lose multi-year contributors Jesse Bobbit, Dallas Brown, and Cody Hazelett. The Jacks also lost potential starter Jake Harms to an accumulation of injuries during spring ball. Rogers shared that this is an incredibly deep and talented bunch. What they are lacking in game experience will quickly be erased at the start of the season. He is excited for their potential as a group because they are young, hungry, and talented.
#53 Dalton Cox is back for his junior year. Jackrabbit fans have come to appreciate Dalton's effort on special teams the past few years. If a big hit is made, he is usually in the middle of it. This year he will provide depth for the MLB and WLB position.
#31 Eric Kleinschmit will battle it out for the WLB position during his junior season. Kleinschmit has been a core special teams player for a few seasons but will now be asked to perform as a play-maker on defense. Kleinschmit is a former walk-on who has paid his dues. Rogers shared that last year Bobbit was only able to practice about a quarter of the time because of injuries. Kleinscmit received all of the practice reps that Bobbit missed. This experience could prove valuable if he moves into a starting role.
#32 Kyle Tuttle joins the active roster after a redshirt season. He will battle with Kleinschmit for playing time at the WLB. Tuttle has great size, 6'3 215lbs. He has unlimited potential but it is about performing in practice and maximizing his opportunities during the games.
#13 Noah Urbanek is a true freshman from Kearney, Nebraska and will compete with Kleinschmit and Tuttle for playing time. Noah has been up in Brookings all summer working to understand the defensive concept. Noah's highlight tape is pretty impressive as he makes big play after big play. The biggest thing working against Noah is experience. It may take him a while, but he should see the field this fall.
#12 Logan Backhaus is another redshirt freshman that will bolster the Jackrabbit defense. Backhaus will lineup as the Sam Linebacker. Coach Rogers shared that Backhaus is extremely smart and picks things up very quickly. Backhaus stood out in spring ball for being in the right spot and making the right reads.
#7 Seven Wilson joins the Jackrabbits as a true freshman from Kansas City. Seven is a thumper. He is extremely fast and likes to hit people. Rogers shared that Seven is also on campus this summer and is working hard to learn the concepts. Wilson has all sorts of potential and could be a rock for the Jackrabbit defense for the next four years.
#39 Bobby Zavagno, #45 Jessup Workman, and #46 Preston Tetzlaff are back for another year ready to compete, add depth, and provide excellent effort on special teams. #16 Brandon Thomas and #48 Jeremy Christner moved to the linebacker room and will provide depth and special teams effort to the Jackrabbit squad while they learn the ropes of their new position. #47 Levi Brown is a true freshman who has tremendous potential and reminds Coach Rogers of Derek Domino.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
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