March 28, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Replacing a guy like All-American Mike Hull is no small feat, but the future of the linebacker position is in great hands thanks to increased depth and a corps of versatile athletes.
With more depth at each position than in recent seasons, Linebacker U hasn't skipped a beat during the first week of spring ball.
Returning junior starters Brandon Bell and Nyeem Wartman highlight a group looking to make a big impact on the Nittany Lion defense in 2015.
"We have more depth, and that's the special part about it," Wartman said. "We have more guys who can get on the field and play."
In addition to Bell and Wartman, graduate senior Ben Kline returns after missing all of last season with an Achilles injury, and rising sophomore Jason Cabinda is back and primed for a bigger role than he had in his rookie campaign. Additionally, juniors Gary Wooten and Von Walker, along with sophomore Troy Reeder, are among a long list of guys battling for playing time. While each guy plays to his strengths, the unit is unique in that most of the personnel can fill a variety of the positions.
"I think with this group, you have a bunch of versatile guys," Wartman said. "You have Brandon (Bell), who can go out there and play in the field and then also come in the box and play with us as a `Will' or `Mike'. Then you have me, and I can play `Will' or `Mike'. (Ben) Kline can play `Will' and `Mike'. Gary (Wooten) can play `Will' or `Mike'. I think year's group is just a lot more versatile."
Head coach James Franklin often uses the "iron sharpens iron" mantra to talk about how one side of the ball can play a paramount role in the growth of the other side of the ball. The same can be true within a unit. With increased depth at linebacker comes increased competition for playing time.
"It pushes you because you know you have someone behind you," said Wartman. "Everybody wants to play, so there is going to be someone behind you. But you can learn from him. When you have quality competition, the first guy is learning from the second guy, the second guy is learning from the third guy and the third guy is learning from the first guy, just from watching film and practicing. You can learn from everyone. All together, the linebacker corps has more quality from top to bottom since I've been here."
Assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Pry is a big reason for the unit's seamless transition into spring ball following the graduation of Hull, who will go down as one of the program's all-time best. Pry expects a lot out of his players, but the mutual respect between the student-athletes and position coach creates an environment conducive to both learning and progress.
"He's the type of guy that when he talks to you, you know he is going to shoot you straight," said Kline.
"Coach Pry has this type of passion in his voice when we are on the field," Wartman said. "He is a serious guy, but at the same time, he is easy going. He's the type of guy who is going to demand your attention, but he's going to have fun. Guys aren't feeling pressure to be perfect. Guys know to do their job on the field. Don't think, just play. He's helped us all out a lot by telling us to just go out and play."
Pry and the linebackers are always on the same page. Sure it has a lot to do with the talent in place on the field, but the buy-in from players stems from Pry's ability to teach the unit and put the players in the best position to be successful within the framework of defensive coordinator Bob Shoop's scheme.
Another factor in the unit's ability to hit the ground running this spring is the return of Kline, who is a respected voice in the locker room and an undisputed leader of the unit.
"Ben brings a positive attitude and plays the way a Penn State player should play," Wartman said. "Even when he and I were fighting for the same spot and he got hurt, he still stood there on the sideline and cheered me on. And that had to be one of the hardest things to do. Then I remember when my playing time went down and he went in, I cheered him on. I just think he brings the team-first mentality. That's what this game is all about, team-first guys like Ben Kline."
It's been a long road for Kline to get back onto the field following a pair of injuries during the last two seasons, but he's excited to return and ready to go to work.
"It just feels good to get back out there with everybody, running around and playing some ball. It's been a lot of fun," Kline said.
Like Wartman, Kline is excited about the unit the Nittany Lions will put on the field at linebacker in the fall.
"We have a lot of guys who just work really hard," Kline said. "We have good depth, and everyone wants to work hard. We are young and athletic. The way Coach Pry has been coaching everyone up is awesome."
Granted there is a long way to go until the season commences on Sept. 5 at Temple, but Wartman said he feels like everyone on the roster is more comfortable within the framework of the daily routine, and it has carried over into productive meetings and practices this spring.
"It's another year. We all feel strong, faster and have more confidence," Wartman said. "As a defense, we have high standards for ourselves. Guys know that last year was good, but we want this year to be even better."