The Aggie front seven ready to go
One thing that will certainly not be lacking from the Aggies’ defensive line and linebackers in 2008 will be experience as the front seven returns a total of 13 lettermen from last season’s team, including five starters.
Returning at linebacker will be senior Jake Hutton and junior Paul Igboeli. Hutton, a 2007 second team All-Western Athletic Conference selection led the team in tackles last season with 102. Igboeli returns this season after finishing 2007 second on the team behind Hutton in tackles with 95.
“Team chemistry obviously is a lot better,” Hutton said. “Experience on the field makes it easier. You play faster, make more big plays, and it’s not just me and Paul.”
Outside of Hutton and Igboeli, the Aggies have five other linebackers returning who were lettermen in 2007, two of who have been assigned to new positions this spring. Would-be returning starter De’von Hall has been moved to play safety in 2008 while Derrick Cumbee has been moved to running back. The remaining three lettermen returning to linebacker are senior Daryl Fields, and sophomores Kyle Gallagher and Jordan Glass.
When asked who appeared as the front runner to step in to Hall’s vacated starting spot, defensive coordinator Mark Johnson said, “The same guy who started the last five games last year, Kyle Gallagher.”
Gallagher is returning after seeing significant playing time as a true freshman last season. He finished sixth on the team in total tackles with 47 and had three games of recording 10 tackles or more. Gallagher also forced two fumbles on the year, second only to Carl Singleton’s four forced fumbles in 2007.
“He’s a super tough kid,” Johnson said. “He’s a different breed. Just trust me on that.”
The defensive line will see it’s own reshaping in 2008. Despite the graduations of Frank Maile, who was voted the team’s defensive MVP in 2007, as well as last season’s sack leader in Carl Singleton, the Aggie D-line will return a total of six lettermen. The key player returning from that 2007 unit will be senior Ben Calderwood.
Calderwood, who returns after a solid junior season in which he recorded 41 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, will be moving in from defensive end to defensive tackle in 2008.
Asked if Calderwood’s move to the inside was permanent, Johnson said, “He’ll work inside and outside. He’s one of the best tackles we have.”
Calderwood will join another returning starter in junior Alan Bishop on the interior of the defensive line. On top of the players the Aggies already have returning will be two junior college transfers in Casey Davis and Magnum Mauga, both of who will look to make significant contributions at defensive tackle.
With Singleton graduating and Calderwood moving to the interior, both of the starting defensive end positions have been open for competition this spring. Johnson said the current front-runners to fill those positions are junior Darby Golden and sophomore Nate Royster. Golden finished 2007 with 18 total tackles, one sack, and one pass breakup in a reserve role. Royster finished with six tackles and one fumble recovery.
One thing that every one of the players have outside of Davis and Mauga is their own fair share of experience playing Division-I football, a claim that couldn’t be made for as many players prior to last season.
“It’ll give us a lot more depth,” Johnson said. “You’d like to have five tackles and five ends that you can play with.”
Hutton agrees that the experience both on the field and in practice will help the front seven operate better as an overall unit in 2007.
“Even the guys that haven’t started that many games, they know their assignment really well,” Hutton said. “Play hard. Do your assignment. Make tackles. Don’t miss tackles.”
-matt.sonn@aggiemail.usu.edu