Michael Jobman
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
CHANGING THINGS UP: Michael Jobman Brings Size, Skill to Middle of MSU D
3/30/2018 4:01:00 PM | Football
The sophomore's move to inside linebacker adds to defense's length, range
An interesting element of any spring practice session throughout college football is the intersection of ability and opportunity, and evaluating players that stand at those crossroads. Below is a look at one Bobcat looking to grab playing time at a new position with his performance this spring.
BOZEMAN, Montana – Position changes occur in college football for different reasons. In the case of Michael Jobman transitioning from Montana State's Buck end spot to the Mike linebacker, it was part of a simple formula for head coach Jeff Choate.
"When you look at the good players we have in the front seven," Choate said, "(Jobman's move) helps us get our best 11 (defensive) players on the field. And it looks like it's a good move for Michael, too."
Jobman saw considerable action at Buck, a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position, partially due to injuries. He responded well, logging 15 tackles, and the 6-4 Huntley, Montana, native provides Choate the coveted characteristic of "really good length, a really rangy player" in the middle of the defense. But the move may not have occurred without a pair of additions to the defense.
"In Michael's situation, having Bryce Sterk at Buck and Jacob (Hadley) at Buck lets us take a guy who played a lot last year and move him inside," Choate said. "Michael has really good length and he moves well. That's part of the rationale (for the move) is to build depth in positions where you may be lacking and provide opportunities who might be buried in the depth chart at one position but show ability."
The transition has suited the sophomore. "The difference is the view of the field," Jobman said. "Everything was in front of me at Buck, and things happened a lot faster. Now at linebacker I've got to get used to seeing the whole field and taking a second to see what's in front of me and make reads. I'm getting more and more comfortable. It's a process and I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm enjoying it."
* * * * *
Choate announced two personnel moves on Wednesday. Facing a string of class conflicts when the fall semester begins in August, reserve quarterback Brady McChesney retired from the program. An engineering major, McChesney "has been a really important part of our team in ways that don't show up on stat lines or in sound bites," Choate said. He also announced the senior receiver Jabarri Johnson suffered a knee injury that leaves his status in the fall in question.
#GoCatsGo
BOZEMAN, Montana – Position changes occur in college football for different reasons. In the case of Michael Jobman transitioning from Montana State's Buck end spot to the Mike linebacker, it was part of a simple formula for head coach Jeff Choate.
"When you look at the good players we have in the front seven," Choate said, "(Jobman's move) helps us get our best 11 (defensive) players on the field. And it looks like it's a good move for Michael, too."
Jobman saw considerable action at Buck, a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position, partially due to injuries. He responded well, logging 15 tackles, and the 6-4 Huntley, Montana, native provides Choate the coveted characteristic of "really good length, a really rangy player" in the middle of the defense. But the move may not have occurred without a pair of additions to the defense.
"In Michael's situation, having Bryce Sterk at Buck and Jacob (Hadley) at Buck lets us take a guy who played a lot last year and move him inside," Choate said. "Michael has really good length and he moves well. That's part of the rationale (for the move) is to build depth in positions where you may be lacking and provide opportunities who might be buried in the depth chart at one position but show ability."
The transition has suited the sophomore. "The difference is the view of the field," Jobman said. "Everything was in front of me at Buck, and things happened a lot faster. Now at linebacker I've got to get used to seeing the whole field and taking a second to see what's in front of me and make reads. I'm getting more and more comfortable. It's a process and I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm enjoying it."
* * * * *
Choate announced two personnel moves on Wednesday. Facing a string of class conflicts when the fall semester begins in August, reserve quarterback Brady McChesney retired from the program. An engineering major, McChesney "has been a really important part of our team in ways that don't show up on stat lines or in sound bites," Choate said. He also announced the senior receiver Jabarri Johnson suffered a knee injury that leaves his status in the fall in question.
#GoCatsGo
Players Mentioned
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