With the 2006 season opener at San Diego State only a few days away, UTEP assistant coach Tim Duffie has a pretty good read on what the Miners have at the linebacker position this fall.
He also understands what they don't have -- specifically Thomas Howard, last year's starter at the SAM slot who was chosen by Oakland in the second round of the NFL Draft.
But Duffie likes this year's contingent, and doesn't think UTEP will miss Howard quite as much as one might expect.
"After we lost Thomas, I thought, 'What are we going to do?', because he did so many things well," Duffie said. "It almost takes two or three guys to replace him. But I don't think we have a void at the SAM position after losing a second round draft pick."
Duffie coached the UTEP linebackers in 2004 and 2005, then was assigned to coach defensive ends this fall. But when defensive coordinator Tim Hundley was forced to miss the first week of drills while recovering from neck surgery, Duffie returned to his old post.
UTEP is set at the MIKE and WILL spots with a pair 100-tackle performers returning in Troy Collavo and Jeremy Jones.
Collavo had 112 stops a year ago. Jones ranked third in Conference USA and 14th in the NCAA, averaging 10.8 tackles per game (130 total). Collavo and Jones tied for the team lead with 14.5 tackles for losses.
Both are leaders, albeit in different ways. Jones is vocal, and Collavo is quiet.
"Troy has really given us a big turn in his play, being a fifth-year senior," Duffie said. "He went through shoulder surgery in the spring, but he's 100 percent taking on blocks and running to the ball. Jeremy is coming off a great year last year. He's probably the biggest critic of himself, and he's aware of the things he needs to fix. He's working hard to improve, and that will give him a great opportunity to play at the next level."
Two redshirt freshmen -- Landon Goodwell and Alan Kirkland -- will back up Collavo. Goodwell was an All-CIF, All-Southern Section and All-Area pick as a senior at Rio Hondo Prep School in West Covina, Calif. Kirkland was a two-time All-District 15-5A selection at Leander High in Cedar Park, Texas.
"Landon has done everything we've asked him to do with changing his body and getting more physical," Duffie said. "Alan has been battling a couple of neck injuries since the spring, but he understands everything we're doing defensively. The future is very bright for Alan."
Listed behind Jones in the two-deep are his cousin, junior T.J. Monroe, and true freshman Aaron Sims. Monroe transferred to UTEP from Gavilan College in Gilroy, Calif. Sims was rated a top-100 player in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex as a senior at Denton High School.
"T.J. moved over from safety and had no contact during the spring due to injury," Duffie said. "He has been learning everything he can from Jeremy. He's going to give us a solid backup at the WILL position along with Aaron Sims, who just came in and ran with the opportunity to play early as a freshman. Aaron is a tremendous athlete who played safety in high school. He's physical, he can run and he can change directions."
Junior Emeri Spence was the leading candidate to take Howard's place as the starting SAM backer heading into the fall, but he will miss the San Diego State game after violating team rules. Seniors Josh Chamois and Jason McQuay have seized the opportunity to play in Spence's absence.
Chamois is on his third position at UTEP after previously toiling at running back and tight end. McQuay appeared in all 12 games as a reserve in 2005 after transferring from Victor Valley Junior College. He is versatile, capable of seeing action at all three linebacker spots.
"Right now Jason is the guy who's going to start the game, but both of those guys are going to play a lot," Duffie said. "Josh moved over from the offense in the spring and has really understood what we're trying to do quicker than we expected."
Adding depth at the SAM slot will be redshirt freshman Brian Wilkins, an All-League player and Orange County Top-25 selection as a senior at Tustin (Calif.) High School.
"Brian has prototype size and speed," Duffie said. "He's just maturing mentally and physically to this level. He will be a good Division I player when all is said and done."
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