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LEXINGTON, Va. – Throughout fall camp, VMI Athletics will do a Q&A session with the offensive and defensive position groups in addition to special teams.
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Today’s report is on the status of the linebackers and how they are preparing for the Idaho State season opener coming up next Saturday.
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First-year Linebackers Coach Guido Falbo provides his thoughts on Fall Camp and how the backers are coming along. Senior linebacker Henry Berling also gives his insight below.
1. How would you assess how Fall Camp has gone for the linebackers?
Coach Falbo: The linebackers have made tremendous progress. Since their summer workouts and the beginning of Fall Camp, they’ve made great strides and build on the veteran group as well as mixing in the younger guys to let them learn. We moved Riveros to outside linebacker which has been a tremendous move for him. We’re trying to get the best guys on the field, and he’s done a super job. Isaiah as a team captain does everything right. He’s a consummate professional and he shows up every day. He’s serious about being a great football player. Henry Berling has made big strides from the spring until now and has really come on. Cam Clinton is a force; he plays at a high level with high intensity and brings so much to that group. He’s a quiet leader. We’ve got Isaiah who is the rah-rah guy in the group. Camron Watkins has made huge strides to get into the two-deep as well.
2. With a spring and summer under their belt learning this defense, how have the backers improved over the past few months?
Coach Falbo: I commend them. They’ve really bought into our defense and trying to understand its intricacies. I’ve worked a long time with our defensive coordinator Jared Backus at Cornell, and we agree that the backers have shown they’re willing to do what it takes to function. Not just go out and be an average player but they’re committed to getting this thing turned around. They’re trying their best to be the best at their craft by spending extra time after practice or coming into the film room or coming into my office to ask questions or watching video on technique.
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3. How are the linebackers adjusting to their new assignments under Coach Backus’ system as opposed to what they’ve done the past few years?
Coach Falbo: They all kind of played different positions before. As coaches we’ve evaluated their film and determined who we want in each of our specific position groups. They have grown so much in what we’re asking them to do. Their IQ in our scheme has grown. In the spring they were just learning everything, but over the summer and throughout fall camp they’ve taken the next step and being great mentors to the new guys.
4. Which linebackers have improved the most over the summer and throughout fall camp?
Coach Falbo: All the freshmen have done a good job and have shown they want to buy into the system. It’s a long season, but there are two young guys in particular who have shown they can contribute not only with the defense but with special teams as well. One who stands out the most is Quinn Kennedy from Cleveland, Ohio. Football is in his family – his dad played at Villanova and his brother plays at Villanova; his sister is a track athlete at Princeton so he’s from a super athletic family and we’re so blessed to get him. He has made an impact on our group and is taking reps with our ones and our twos. If he stays on this path, he’s really going to help our team. Another one is Erick Roman from Rockford, Illinois. We got him really late in the process, but he is a throwback. He plays super hard and super-fast all the time. He’s a football junkie – he loves it. Another guy who came to us from the Naval Academy Prep School is Hunter Clark. He made the transition from being a quarterback and safety to being a linebacker. His best football is still ahead of him but he’s going to make an impact on our team.
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1. How would you assess how Fall Camp has gone for the linebackers?
Berling: I feel like all the linebackers as a whole have improved in all aspects of our games and gotten way closer as a position group.
2. With a spring and summer under your belt learning this defense, how have the backers improved over the past few months and understanding the defensive play calls?
Berling: We’ve all improved on block destruction and the defense as a whole knows the playbook well and is comfortable with it. Learning the playbook has been a lot easier too and understanding the coaching.
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3. How are your linebacker assignments different from what you experienced with the prior coaching staff?
Berling: With the prior staff I was playing an outside linebacker position now I’m strictly in the box as an inside backer. We focus on stopping the run first before looking to run on the outside for help or drop into coverage.
4. Which linebackers have improved the most over the summer and throughout fall camp?
Berling: I would say freshman Quinn Kennedy has improved and showed out the most over summer and throughout fall camp.
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