Montana Grizzlies position preview: Treasure State products leading UM’s linebacking corps

MISSOULA — Coming off of final yr’s efficiency, Montana’s protection is anticipated to be among the finest within the FCS once more this season. Included in that unit is a gaggle that all the time appears to reload, and that is the linebackers, who’re chock filled with homegrown expertise.

Main the best way for UM’s linebackers can be senior Patrick O’Connell, a Kalispell native who was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award a yr in the past.

Coming into this season, O’Connell was named the Huge Sky preseason Defensive Participant of the 12 months after his All-American marketing campaign a yr in the past, a season during which he completed with 105 whole tackles, 22 for loss, 14 sacks, 4 compelled fumbles and two fumble recoveries, one in every of which was returned for a landing.

He is joined by returning starter Marcus Welnel, who got here up with plenty of massive performs for the Grizzlies in his first main minutes in what was a breakout season for him. Welnel racked up 94 whole tackles, 12.5 for loss, eight sacks and three interceptions in 2021.

“There’s simply lots of expertise,” Welnel stated. “All of these guys who received All-American or all-conference honors. There’s lots of expertise, we have all performed collectively for thus lengthy with the COVID yr so it is simply going to be enjoyable to get another go at it and everyone knows how we play with one another, everyone knows how exhausting and bodily we play so it will be enjoyable.”

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Becoming a member of these two because the third starter at linebacker will seemingly be Anaconda native Braxton Hill, a junior who was a rotational participant a yr in the past however is now the subsequent in line for an expanded position as he goals to affix what’s been a string of gifted linebackers for the Grizzlies.

“It is a actually cool factor to have the ability to do,” stated Hill, who tallied 27 whole tackles, 3.5 for loss and two sacks in 2021. “Within the offseason, coach simply stated you want to get higher and you want to assault daily. There’s actually no purpose to look forward too far as a result of nothing’s actually occurred. Tried to have an excellent summer season lifting and working and simply attempt to come right here and be in form and assault observe each day.”

Hill’s mentality stays the identical in his recreation as he preps to affix the Grizzly starters.

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“Final yr, coming in you give it 100% (every time) you play,” Hill stated. “Somebody may go down, somebody may have a harm hamstring, helmet comes off, so you want to be prepared. I’d say I’ve the identical strategy simply making an attempt to get higher each day and simply making an attempt to be smarter from the neck up and somewhat extra bodily and play more durable than I did the day earlier than.”

Previous the starters, it is one other deep group on protection for Montana, with Levi Janacaro (15 whole tackles, blocked punt and landing), Michael Matthews (13 whole tackles, three for loss and 1.5 sacks), Tyler Flink (13 whole tackles), Ryan Tirrell (blocked punt) and extra are anticipated to fill out that place group.

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Linebacker has all the time been deep for the Griz, and it is a place with lots of Montana natives who made the change from different positions out of highschool and at the moment are seeing their work in school repay.

“I believe it exhibits how necessary teaching is,” O’Connell stated. “For them to belief guys from different positions to maneuver in and make performs is fairly necessary and you then received to have lots of confidence. I believe our group has lots of confidence to exit and make these performs that they belief us to make. That is probably the most necessary issues is confidence and simply rising your self and serving to others alongside the best way.”

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Griz linebackers on the 2022 roster by quantity

No. 10, Marcus Welnel, R-SR, 6-foot-1, 232 kilos, Helena, MT
No. 31, Geno Leonard, R-FR, 5-foot-11, 224 kilos, Missoula, MT
No. 33, Carson Rostad, SO, 6-foot-3, 221 kilos, Hamilton, MT
No. 34, Asher Croy, SO, 6-foot-0, 219 kilos, Bozeman, MT
No. 35, Braxton Hill, JR, 6-foot-2, 226 kilos, Anaconda, MT
No. 36, Levi Janacaro, R-JR, 6-foot-0, 237 kilos, Missoula, MT
No. 38, Marcus Evans, FR, 6-foot-0, 217 kilos, Helena, MT
No. 44, Ryan Tirrell, R-SO, 6-foot-2, 225 kilos, Missoula, MT
No. 45, Vincent Genatone, FR, 6-foot-1, 213 kilos, North Platte, NE
No. 46, Wyatt Wegener, R-FR, 6-foot-3, 228 kilos, Algona, IA
No. 49, Cooper Walton, FR, 6-foot-1, 216 kilos, Johnstown, CO
No. 52, Michael Matthews, R-SR, 6-foot-2, 221 kilos, Camas, WA
No. 54, Tyler Flink, R-JR, 5-foot-11, 225 kilos, Missoula, MT
No. 58, Patrick O’Connell, 6-foot-2, 230 kilos, Kalispell, MT