Replacing Leighton by committee: Boise State seeks more linebacker production
No one expected a single Boise State linebacker to replace all that Leighton Vander Esch provided — it would have been nice, sure, but not that plausible.
Instead, what was expected, and what has taken shape, is a rotation that has included about a dozen Broncos who in theory can be utilized in various situations to maximum advantage.
The Broncos’ depth chart has listed six different players at weakside linebacker, three at middle and three at strongside/nickel.
“It’s been awesome, great to be able to have depth and be able to have fresh guys out there all the time,” sophomore Riley Whimpey said. “... To be able to see not only one of us be successful, but from each one that goes out and plays.”
This week, redshirt freshman Zeke Noa appeared for the first time on the depth chart as a backup to Whimpey on the weakside, along with senior Blake Whitlock. Previously, sophomore Bruno DeRose and senior Tony Lashley were on there. Most of them can also play in the middle, too.
“Where can you put guys that will give them the best opportunity to help the defense ... that’s what we’re trying to get done,” Boise State defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said.
Junior middle linebacker Tyson Maeva had a monster game last Saturday at Wyoming, with 10 tackles (two for loss), including a sack. That propelled him to a tie for third on the team with 16 tackles this season, along with cornerback Jalen Walker. Safeties DeAndre Pierce and Kekoa Nawahine lead the team with 23 and 21, respectively.
Vander Esch’s 141 tackles, four sacks and three interceptions would not be easily replaced, and everyone knew it. Maeva and sophomore strongside linebacker Desmond Williams have the unit’s only sacks so far. Lashley had an interception in the season opener.
“We’ve been able to play a fair amount of linebackers and rotate guys through, but we’d like to see the production out of those guys increase a little bit more,” Avalos said. “I think as we get settled in here, get a steady flow of situational football, who is playing, and how we’re playing, that’ll happen.”
So don’t be surprised if it’s a by-committee approach to stopping offenses the rest of the way, from the athletic Williams to the strong Noa to the able run-stopping Benton Wickersham.
In three of coach Bryan Harsin’s first four seasons, a linebacker had at least 100 tackles. It might not happen this season, but the coaches say it won’t be from a lack of quality at the position.
“It’s great if you have a Leighton, because he can change your defense so much with all the things he can do,” Avalos said during fall camp. “But we have a lot of guys in the mix, and if we’re smart about playing them to their strengths, we can still have a really strong group.”
SAN DIEGO STATE AT BOISE STATE
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Albertsons Stadium (36,387, FieldTurf)
TV: ESPNU (Mike Couzens, Kirk Morrison); CableOne ch. 136/1136, DirecTV ch. 208, Dish Network ch. 141
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/KTIK 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: BSU 3-1, 1-0 (beat Wyoming 34-14 on Saturday); San Diego State 3-1, 0-0 (beat Eastern Michigan 23-20 in OT on Sept. 22)
Series: Boise State leads 3-2 (won 31-17 at SDSU on Oct. 14, 2017)
Vegas line: Boise State by 14
Weather: Mid-50s, mostly cloudy
Tickets: $54 to $89; stop by the ticket office on the west side of Albertsons Stadium, visit BroncoSports.com/tickets or call 208-426-4737. Boise State reported that fewer than 1,500 tickets remain as of Wednesday afternoon.
This story was originally published October 3, 2018 at 5:27 PM.