Hey guys, just hoping to spark some discussion during the off season. We are going to be talking about young players that haven't seen much playing time, but have a lot of upside in 2016. I'm starting with the linebacker squad, because this seems to be the position which will have the most youth/turmoil/adversity this 2016 season.
These men have a huge opportunity to leave their mark at EWU throughout the rest of their football career. Huge leadership opportunities with Jake Gall retiring. There will be one lone senior linebacker on the team. Let's hope he can stay healthy.
1. Alek Kacmarcik, Sophomore:
2015 Stats:
Games Played: 9
Tackles: 64
TFL: 4
Sacks: 2
Interceptions: 1
Alek is a player whom I feel didn't get nearly the discussion he warranted. Alek is fast for his size and specializes in reading plays. At the beginning of the season, Alek was listed as the starter over Jake Gall. Was this due to Jake Gall's injury, or was Alek legitimately competing with Jake, a highly touted EWU defender as a freshman? I can't remember, but what I can remember is seeing Alek during Spring 2015 being one of the loan bright spots on our defense during Spring scrimmages.
With Jake Gall leaving, Alek is likely to fill his role at strong side linebacker. I expect Alek to be the next cornerstone of our linebacker crew starting in 2016.
Ketner Kupp, true sophomore
2015 Stats:
Games Played: 11
Tackles: 19
Tackles for Loss: 1
Interceptions: 1
Possibly the most exciting recruit of 2015. Could Ketner live up to the Kupp reputation? That has yet to be seen, but Ketner managed to play as a true freshman while Cooper did not. (Disclaimer: Our WR corps was much deeper than the LB crew). Ketner also had a lot more success in high school, being a three year starter with a two star (?) label.
Although Ketner played as a true freshman, it seemed like a kind of a waste, for he seemed to sit permanently on the bench, recording on 19 tackles. From what I saw of Ketner (not a lot) he isn't speedy, but can lay a big hit and cause a lot of disruption. A typical middle linebacker type.
Kurt Calhoun Sophomore
2015 Stats:
Games Played: 8
Tackles: 18
TFL: 2.5
Kurt was a solid football player for Zillah his senior year, putting up five straight 200 yard games in a row. Only one word I can say for this guy: Power. He is a freight train and when he gets moving, get out of the way. A lot like Ketner, Kurt thrives in disruption. I expect Kurt to become a key part of our blitz package, because he is elusive, powerful, and fantastic at rushing the passer. Once Kurt has some time to put bulk up and put some more weight behind his hits, he will be a player who can really shut down the middle.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Did I miss anyone? If there are any young linebackers you noticed who merit discussion, put them up! What do you expect of these three players?
Coming into the season I am predicting the following depth chart.
Strongside linebacker:
Alek Kacmarcik
Kody Beckering
Middle Linebacker:
Miquiyah Zamorah
Kurt Kalhoun
Ketner Kupp
Rover:
John Kriefels
(?)
These men have a huge opportunity to leave their mark at EWU throughout the rest of their football career. Huge leadership opportunities with Jake Gall retiring. There will be one lone senior linebacker on the team. Let's hope he can stay healthy.
1. Alek Kacmarcik, Sophomore:
2015 Stats:
Games Played: 9
Tackles: 64
TFL: 4
Sacks: 2
Interceptions: 1
Alek is a player whom I feel didn't get nearly the discussion he warranted. Alek is fast for his size and specializes in reading plays. At the beginning of the season, Alek was listed as the starter over Jake Gall. Was this due to Jake Gall's injury, or was Alek legitimately competing with Jake, a highly touted EWU defender as a freshman? I can't remember, but what I can remember is seeing Alek during Spring 2015 being one of the loan bright spots on our defense during Spring scrimmages.
With Jake Gall leaving, Alek is likely to fill his role at strong side linebacker. I expect Alek to be the next cornerstone of our linebacker crew starting in 2016.
Ketner Kupp, true sophomore
2015 Stats:
Games Played: 11
Tackles: 19
Tackles for Loss: 1
Interceptions: 1
Possibly the most exciting recruit of 2015. Could Ketner live up to the Kupp reputation? That has yet to be seen, but Ketner managed to play as a true freshman while Cooper did not. (Disclaimer: Our WR corps was much deeper than the LB crew). Ketner also had a lot more success in high school, being a three year starter with a two star (?) label.
Although Ketner played as a true freshman, it seemed like a kind of a waste, for he seemed to sit permanently on the bench, recording on 19 tackles. From what I saw of Ketner (not a lot) he isn't speedy, but can lay a big hit and cause a lot of disruption. A typical middle linebacker type.
Kurt Calhoun Sophomore
2015 Stats:
Games Played: 8
Tackles: 18
TFL: 2.5
Kurt was a solid football player for Zillah his senior year, putting up five straight 200 yard games in a row. Only one word I can say for this guy: Power. He is a freight train and when he gets moving, get out of the way. A lot like Ketner, Kurt thrives in disruption. I expect Kurt to become a key part of our blitz package, because he is elusive, powerful, and fantastic at rushing the passer. Once Kurt has some time to put bulk up and put some more weight behind his hits, he will be a player who can really shut down the middle.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Did I miss anyone? If there are any young linebackers you noticed who merit discussion, put them up! What do you expect of these three players?
Coming into the season I am predicting the following depth chart.
Strongside linebacker:
Alek Kacmarcik
Kody Beckering
Middle Linebacker:
Miquiyah Zamorah
Kurt Kalhoun
Ketner Kupp
Rover:
John Kriefels
(?)
