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Wildcats' D-linemen corps ready for action / McBride’s 13 linemen all to see significant time
http://www.standard.net/live/sports/181504/
JASEN ASAY
Standard-Examiner staff
OGDEN -- It's not surprising that there are 13 total eligible defensive linemen on Weber State's roster. After all, Wildcat coach Ron McBride is fond of having great depth on both the offensive and defensive lines.
But what is surprising is how many of those 13 Wildcat defensive linemen will contribute to the defense on the field this season.
"All of them," McBride said following Thursday's practice.
Yeah, but how many of them will get substantial playing time?
"All of them," McBride repeated. "They all have the chance to contribute."
The list includes four seniors, three sophomores and an eyebrow-raising six freshmen.
The Wildcats return preseason all-conference honorees in senior Kevin Linehan and sophomore Ryan Eastman, and will also rely on the experience of seniors Brighton Barkdull, Joe Larson and Christian Gibson.
Linehan and Barkdull, who will line up as the ends, are looked at as the leaders and have earned that notoriety.
"They're tested guys who have been playing and have been in the system," Larson said. "They're hard workers. They're always in the weight room and their maxes are always at the top of all the lifts."
While McBride is excited for all the newcomers to have an impact, he's particularly looking forward to what could come from the "three Hawaiian freshmen."
Defensive end Bijon Mostoufi and nose tackles Maiah Faatoafe and Adam Sagapolutele-White are all expected to follow in the footsteps of Eastman, who is also from Hawaii and stepped in right away last season to play a big role in WSU's success. Fellow freshmen Demetri Enesi, Trevor Pletcher and Danny Mullarkey could also have to chance to contribute.
"Those three guys (from Hawaii), plus the others, are probably going to have something to say about what we're doing this year," McBride said.
Eastman knows what his new teammates from the Aloha State are experiencing, having played as a true freshman on his way to earning all-conference honorable mention last season. The young veteran admits to looking after the three and expects to see them succeed.
"I just hope the best for them," Eastman said. "They want to learn, they're good athletes and good football players."
The defensive line points to a few goals it hopes to accomplish this season. The first is to hold the opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing. Second is to get pressure on the quarterback in an effort to disrupt the passing game. Third is to keep the opponents offensive line off WSU's linebackers.
The way to accomplishing those objectives is by following the words of a new voice. Larson said that new defensive line coach Ionke Breckterfield preaches "cancel run on the way to pass," and by following that advice the Wildcats can do their job.
Plus, having 13 sets of legs rotating on and off the field should keep the players fresh.
"We've got a lot of guys who want to play, and can play," Eastman said. "I'm excited to have all the young guys come in and play right away."
So the question lingers as to just how good this defensive line can be.
McBride said the answer will come quickly as the Wildcats open the season on Sept. 5 at Wyoming, followed by a trip to Colorado State the next week.
"Everything has to be proven," McBride said. "It doesn't matter what you do in practice here, all that matters is what you do in game time, so we'll see how they handle it."
http://www.standard.net/live/sports/181504/
JASEN ASAY
Standard-Examiner staff
OGDEN -- It's not surprising that there are 13 total eligible defensive linemen on Weber State's roster. After all, Wildcat coach Ron McBride is fond of having great depth on both the offensive and defensive lines.
But what is surprising is how many of those 13 Wildcat defensive linemen will contribute to the defense on the field this season.
"All of them," McBride said following Thursday's practice.
Yeah, but how many of them will get substantial playing time?
"All of them," McBride repeated. "They all have the chance to contribute."
The list includes four seniors, three sophomores and an eyebrow-raising six freshmen.
The Wildcats return preseason all-conference honorees in senior Kevin Linehan and sophomore Ryan Eastman, and will also rely on the experience of seniors Brighton Barkdull, Joe Larson and Christian Gibson.
Linehan and Barkdull, who will line up as the ends, are looked at as the leaders and have earned that notoriety.
"They're tested guys who have been playing and have been in the system," Larson said. "They're hard workers. They're always in the weight room and their maxes are always at the top of all the lifts."
While McBride is excited for all the newcomers to have an impact, he's particularly looking forward to what could come from the "three Hawaiian freshmen."
Defensive end Bijon Mostoufi and nose tackles Maiah Faatoafe and Adam Sagapolutele-White are all expected to follow in the footsteps of Eastman, who is also from Hawaii and stepped in right away last season to play a big role in WSU's success. Fellow freshmen Demetri Enesi, Trevor Pletcher and Danny Mullarkey could also have to chance to contribute.
"Those three guys (from Hawaii), plus the others, are probably going to have something to say about what we're doing this year," McBride said.
Eastman knows what his new teammates from the Aloha State are experiencing, having played as a true freshman on his way to earning all-conference honorable mention last season. The young veteran admits to looking after the three and expects to see them succeed.
"I just hope the best for them," Eastman said. "They want to learn, they're good athletes and good football players."
The defensive line points to a few goals it hopes to accomplish this season. The first is to hold the opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing. Second is to get pressure on the quarterback in an effort to disrupt the passing game. Third is to keep the opponents offensive line off WSU's linebackers.
The way to accomplishing those objectives is by following the words of a new voice. Larson said that new defensive line coach Ionke Breckterfield preaches "cancel run on the way to pass," and by following that advice the Wildcats can do their job.
Plus, having 13 sets of legs rotating on and off the field should keep the players fresh.
"We've got a lot of guys who want to play, and can play," Eastman said. "I'm excited to have all the young guys come in and play right away."
So the question lingers as to just how good this defensive line can be.
McBride said the answer will come quickly as the Wildcats open the season on Sept. 5 at Wyoming, followed by a trip to Colorado State the next week.
"Everything has to be proven," McBride said. "It doesn't matter what you do in practice here, all that matters is what you do in game time, so we'll see how they handle it."
