The linebacker position for the U football team has always been considered one if its strengths, and this year should be no different.
Even after suffering the loss of all-conference rover linebacker Sheldon Deckart and strong side linebacker Brooks Bahr, the Utes are still loaded at the linebacker position.
“You talk about Notre Dame, Ohio State…our top four linebackers are as good as a lot of teams,” U football coach Urban Meyer said. “That’s been the strength of Utah football, and that’s going to continue.”
The speed of this year’s group may even exceed that of last year’s unit, which was one of the main reasons the Utes had the No. 1 defense in the Mountain West Conference.
“Last year’s group was good, but I think we can be just as good and we may even be faster this year,” U middle linebacker Ray Holdcraft said.
This year, the Utes will start Holdcraft in the middle, with Zach Tune backing him up.
“I have gotten stronger, quicker and I am just excited for the season to start,” Holdcraft said.
Tune started four games in the middle last season, but will be suspended for one game for being charged with possession of marijuana in June.
The player with the most potential in the linebacking corps is probably sophomore Spencer Toone.
Toone came back from his LDS mission two years ago and redshirted last season. This year, his task is to fill the shoes of Deckart as the team’s starting rover.
His 4.51-second 40-yard dash is the fastest of any Ute linebacker. Toone has not had any game experience for two years, but on Thursday he will get a taste against Utah State.
“The coaches have prepared us well, but I know I will be really nervous for the first couple of plays. But I think after that I will be OK,” Toone said.
Even with his talent, his youth may hurt him in terms of experience-just don’t tell him that.
“The coaches have taught me well and I have learned my responsibilities,” Toone said. “I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m ready to play.”
On the strong side, junior Corey Dodds will start. When the team goes into nickel coverage, Dodds will move to defensive end.
In order to guarantee success on the defensive side, the U linebackers will have to do exactly what they have done in the past.
“We have to know our responsibilities,” Toone said. “The difference between a good player and a great player is [the great] one is in the right place at the right time. If we know our responsibilities, that will happen.”
The defense has been the team’s saving grace in the past and should remain the backbone of the Ute squad this year.
But along with the excitement of the new offense, Holdcraft can sense a different attitude on the team.
“We are much more together as a team this year than we were last year, and that helps a lot,” Holdcraft said. “I am very excited about this season.”
Even though the offense may put more points on the board than in recent seasons, that doesn’t mean the defense has to take any more risks then it has in the past.
“Our scheme will be the same because it has worked in the past,” Toone said.
With faster and stronger linebackers, expectations are huge, but, at the very least, the Utes shouldn’t be any worse than they were last season at the position.