Alex Singleton (left) and Cole Moore return for 2014
Bobcat Summer School: A Look at the Linebackers
6/10/2014 9:30:00 AM | Football
Deep and talented, MSU's linebacker group anchors the Bobcat defense
A glance at the linebacker positions on Montana State's defensive depth chart gives Bobcat fans a reason for calm. Four players who have started during their careers, including at least one at each position, return. Experienced depth remains at each spot.
But you'll excuse Rob Ash for an uneasy feeling.
"We need to stay healthy," he says with an uneasy smile, just 12 months after surgery ended the season senior middle linebacker Na'a Moeakiola. Michael Foster's efforts in the middle notwithstanding – and he also missed time with a nagging injury – the Bobcat defense never recovered from that loss.
Moeakiola is back – "I feel great," he says of his then-injured shoulder – and leads a deep, experienced group of linebackers that anchor the Bobcat defense. Will linebacker Alex Singleton was on the short list of the most productive linebackers in the league last year as a junior, leading players at that position with 16.5 tackles-for-loss, finishing 12th in the league in tackles-per-game (9.2) and fifth with two fumbles forced and tied for fourth with three interceptions.
Singleton's classmate Cole Moore rounds out the trio of senior linebackers. The quietest of the three, Moore nonetheless joins Moeakiola as a team captain. He is equally proficient against the run and pass. "In our scheme, the Sam linebacker competes against a defensive back to stay on the field on third down," Ash said. "Cole has worked really, really hard to be able to stay on the field every down."
While remaining hopeful that the injury bug leaves his core group of linebackers alone this for the next six or seven months, it has already nibbled at MSU's depth. Promising freshman Blake Braun underwent surgery this month and will be lost for 2014. He returns in 2015 as a sophomore.
In Braun's absence during the spring, Mac Bignell "played really well and took a big step forward," Ash said. Wyatt Christensen's return from an injury that ended his 2013 season early, and the continued development of redshirt Monte Folsom remains important. But Rhett Young played very well when Foster battled injury last fall, as well.
"This is a group with tremendous ability and experience," Ash said. "It has a chance to be deep, too. We just need to stay healthy."
Linebackers at a Glance
Position Coach: Kane Ioane (11th year)
Returning Starters: Na'a Moeakiola (from 2012), Cole Moore, Alex Singleton
Other Returning Lettermen: Blake Braun, Wyatt Christensen, Fletcher Collins, Trevan Timmer, Rob Walsh, Rhett Young
Returning Redshirts: Mac Bignell, Monte Folsom, Trevan Timmer
Starter Lost: Michael Foster
Other Lettermen Lost: none
Incoming Freshmen: Grant Collins, Koni Dole, Toti Moeakiola, Eric Prevost
Returning Award Winners: Na'a Moeakiola (2012), Cole Moore and Alex Singleton (HM All-Big Sky)
Key Position Battle: With Na'a Moeakiola's fully recovered from a shoulder injury which cost him the 2013 season, there really isn't one. Starters Alex Singleton and Cole Moore flank Moeakiola, and the group's depth features veterans Rhett Young, Wyatt Christensen and Fletcher Collins. The loss of Blake Braun for the season settles things at the top two spots at each position.
Burning Question: It's a big one, and familiar - can the linebackers stay healthy?
Overview: Good health ensures Montana State the possibility of boasting the best starting linebacker trio in the FCS. Moeakiola has to be considered a player of the year candidate, Alex Singleton played at an All-Big Sky level regardless of the snub by league coaches in post-season voting last year, and Cole Moore has been rock solid for two years. Depth is a concern, and a newcomer may be pressed into action.
Depth Chart (Returners)
Will: 43-Alex Singleton (6-2/240/Sr), 11-Wyatt Christensen (5-11/215/So)
Mike: 2-Na'a Moeakiola (5-11/220/Sr), 58-Rhett Young (6-0/215/Jr)
Sam: 16-Cole Moore (6-2/220/Sr), 49-Mac Bignell (6-0/190/Fr), Trevan Timmer (6-0/202/Fr)
But you'll excuse Rob Ash for an uneasy feeling.
"We need to stay healthy," he says with an uneasy smile, just 12 months after surgery ended the season senior middle linebacker Na'a Moeakiola. Michael Foster's efforts in the middle notwithstanding – and he also missed time with a nagging injury – the Bobcat defense never recovered from that loss.
Moeakiola is back – "I feel great," he says of his then-injured shoulder – and leads a deep, experienced group of linebackers that anchor the Bobcat defense. Will linebacker Alex Singleton was on the short list of the most productive linebackers in the league last year as a junior, leading players at that position with 16.5 tackles-for-loss, finishing 12th in the league in tackles-per-game (9.2) and fifth with two fumbles forced and tied for fourth with three interceptions.
Singleton's classmate Cole Moore rounds out the trio of senior linebackers. The quietest of the three, Moore nonetheless joins Moeakiola as a team captain. He is equally proficient against the run and pass. "In our scheme, the Sam linebacker competes against a defensive back to stay on the field on third down," Ash said. "Cole has worked really, really hard to be able to stay on the field every down."
While remaining hopeful that the injury bug leaves his core group of linebackers alone this for the next six or seven months, it has already nibbled at MSU's depth. Promising freshman Blake Braun underwent surgery this month and will be lost for 2014. He returns in 2015 as a sophomore.
In Braun's absence during the spring, Mac Bignell "played really well and took a big step forward," Ash said. Wyatt Christensen's return from an injury that ended his 2013 season early, and the continued development of redshirt Monte Folsom remains important. But Rhett Young played very well when Foster battled injury last fall, as well.
"This is a group with tremendous ability and experience," Ash said. "It has a chance to be deep, too. We just need to stay healthy."
Linebackers at a Glance
Position Coach: Kane Ioane (11th year)
Returning Starters: Na'a Moeakiola (from 2012), Cole Moore, Alex Singleton
Other Returning Lettermen: Blake Braun, Wyatt Christensen, Fletcher Collins, Trevan Timmer, Rob Walsh, Rhett Young
Returning Redshirts: Mac Bignell, Monte Folsom, Trevan Timmer
Starter Lost: Michael Foster
Other Lettermen Lost: none
Incoming Freshmen: Grant Collins, Koni Dole, Toti Moeakiola, Eric Prevost
Returning Award Winners: Na'a Moeakiola (2012), Cole Moore and Alex Singleton (HM All-Big Sky)
Key Position Battle: With Na'a Moeakiola's fully recovered from a shoulder injury which cost him the 2013 season, there really isn't one. Starters Alex Singleton and Cole Moore flank Moeakiola, and the group's depth features veterans Rhett Young, Wyatt Christensen and Fletcher Collins. The loss of Blake Braun for the season settles things at the top two spots at each position.
Burning Question: It's a big one, and familiar - can the linebackers stay healthy?
Overview: Good health ensures Montana State the possibility of boasting the best starting linebacker trio in the FCS. Moeakiola has to be considered a player of the year candidate, Alex Singleton played at an All-Big Sky level regardless of the snub by league coaches in post-season voting last year, and Cole Moore has been rock solid for two years. Depth is a concern, and a newcomer may be pressed into action.
Depth Chart (Returners)
Will: 43-Alex Singleton (6-2/240/Sr), 11-Wyatt Christensen (5-11/215/So)
Mike: 2-Na'a Moeakiola (5-11/220/Sr), 58-Rhett Young (6-0/215/Jr)
Sam: 16-Cole Moore (6-2/220/Sr), 49-Mac Bignell (6-0/190/Fr), Trevan Timmer (6-0/202/Fr)
Thursday, July 31
Monday, May 19
Wednesday, May 03
Wednesday, May 03
