Good morning Wazzu fans! I believe the saying this time of the year is "Hope springs eternal."
Usually when you hear that, it is about mid February to early March, and it revolves around the chatter that every baseball fan can dare to dream in Spring Training.
However, today that quote has brought me to our young and athletic core of Linebackers! It reminds me of the plethora of talent we have had at the position over the last decade, and hopes to give you a vision of the position moving forward. Yesterday, Sean brought you a glance at our Defensive Line, so continue reading for more on the Linebackers.
With the only departure from the position being Andy Mattingly, some might argue this is the most experienced, talented, deep position on our entire roster. Well, that is unless you have checked out this
preview. Without further ado, here are your Spring Ball 2009 Linebackers:
Starters
Alex Hoffman-Ellis (RS Jr), 6'1", 240 lbs: With all due respect to the Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun, I am going to officially dub AHE, as The Hebrew Hammer. After earning only one varsity letter in high school, AHE starred on the gridiron and track for Moorpark College before winding up in Pullman. According to our spies on campus, this lightening fast playmaker has beefed up quite a bit since November. Remember how quick he moved on that Pick 6 against SMU last year? I am very excited to watch him develop the next two years behind an improved DL. Should start every game at OLB, and I would be surprised if he doesn't earn All Conference Honors before leaving Pullman.
Myron Beck (RS Sr), 5'11", 210 lbs: The transfer from Glendale College, by way of Eastern Arizona University has been a mainstay the last two years since arriving on campus. Seems adept at playing either Outside LB position, and had the game tying Pick 6 against Southern Methodist last year.
Louis Bland (Jr), 5'10", 205 lbs: This undersized Junior is one of four Cougs out indefinitely for Spring Ball; Not to worry, last spring, 24 players sat out. Has been a playmaker since his first snap he took in 2008 against Cal. Should start every game in 2010, barring injury.
Darren Markle (RS Fr), 6'1", 225 lbs: The weight lifting champion from Boise should come in and get lots of snaps at MLB with Louis Bland out for all of the spring. Highly touted recruit should see lots of playing time this season, and will likely be a major STs contributor. World-class power lifter to boot.
Reserves
Mike Ledgerwood (Jr), 6'0", 225 lbs: The Pride of Riverview High School in Kennewick has been a solid contributor the past two seasons on defense and STs. Will likely get a lot of reps at OLB this Spring, but have a hard time imagining him holding off this guy come August.
Andre Barrington (RS Fr) 6'1", 220 lbs: I watched Barrington play in the 2009 King Holiday Hoopfest back when he starred on the hardwood at Federal Way HS. All I can say is that he is extremely athletic, and chisled! Cannot wait to watch him wreak havoc for the Cougs. Will have a hard time cracking the 2 Deep this season, but should get lots of reps this spring and hopefully will develop into a nice ST contributor for 2010.
Hallston Higgins (Sr) 5'11", 225 lbs: Has earned two Varsity letters since arriving in 2007. Don't see Hallston cracking the 2 Deep, but will provide experienced depth and be a contributor on Special Teams.
Sekope Kaufusi (RS Fr) 6'3", 240 lbs: I have been waiting to see this guy play since the moment he committed. Considered a "sleeper" coming out of high school, but Coach Wulff has raved about his abilities since he stepped foot on campus. Rumor has it he may put a hand down and join the big boys on the DLine. Pac 10 opponents, you have been officially warned about Sekope!
Final Thoughts: While we would be lucky to get any All Conference performers in 2010, I think that overall this will be the best group we have had since Derting, Davis and Dildine in 2005. As I said last week in my OLine preview, Coach Wulff & Co. are finally accumulating some excellent depth and LB is no exception to that; but I refuse to go out an make any crazy predictions for this group. Instead of earning your spot out of necessity (aka, lack of depth) we should start to see some real competition. When was the last time you could name a 2 Deep at any position on the WSU team where at least one player wasn't listed due to a complete lack of depth? The great thing about this depth is that it will allow our Punt/Punt Return and Kickoff/Kick Return to be filled with those third on the depth chart and other walk-ons. Since the Doba regime, our starters have played on STs and that equates to usually an extra 20 snaps per game. What would it have done for Andy Mattingly the last few years not to have played on STs? We will never know.
That is all for today, Go Cougs!
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