Vandal Football Preview - Linebackers

BREAKDOWN

The Idaho Vandal linebacker room lost veteran starter Fa’Avae Fa’Avae to graduation and Second-Team All-Big Sky performer Paul Moala to transfer. The losses left the Vandals with new faces at both inside linebacker positions. A few key transfers and accelerated grow of young players has given Defensive Coordinator and linebackers coach Rob Aurich confidence heading into the season. 

The key to improving the linebacking corps, and the defense as a whole, is stopping the run. It was the single-biggest indicator of wins and losses for the Vandals in 2022 and will again be vitally important. 

“The key role for our linebackers this season is going to be controlling the box and eliminating the run game,” Aurich said. “We were last season 7-0 in games that we won the rushing battle, 0-5 in the games we didn’t. So, I look for our linebackers to be physical, stout players and to make sure this run game is dominated by the Vandals.”

KEY RETURNERS

The one returner with starting experience in the group is Mathias Bertram, who transitioned to the outside/nickel position in the middle of the season after starting at safety in the first half of the year. This offseason, he put on weight and impressed with his leadership, being named a captain by his teammates. 

“Mathias Bertram, our star there at Sam, our nickel linebacker, was an 11-game starter for us at safety last year,” Aurich said. “He came down and start playing nickel toward the last half and he's really flourished. He's at a 10 pounds of body weight to him and so now he's got the ability to play out in space and play man but also set the edges do everything we need from him as a traditional outside linebacker.”

Isiah King missed much of last season with injuries and is healthy and will add depth to the linebacker room while being a key special teams player. He has been impressive in camp and will be a factor for the Vandals. 

“Isiah King, comes back from injury where he was hurt the majority of last year and he's a 6-2 rangy player who's really been one of our most physical players inside the box,” Aurich said. “You're going to see him playing Will and Sam for us on game days.”

The final key returner is redshirt freshman Dylan Layne. Like Bertram, Layne has put on significant weight, but more than his physical transformation is the work in the play book. His work has earned him the starting nod at the Will linebacker spot. 

“Dylan Layne is a kid that's flourished,” Aurich said. “The defense runs better when he's out there. He's a checks guy, gets everybody lined up and he's been a playmaker for us when we put him in that situation.”

TRANSFER

Aurich has had a relationship with Tre Thomas for the better part of a decade. Aurich recruited Thomas when he was at DII Bemidji State before the two teamed up at South Dakota. Thomas was a three-year starter for the Coyotes but grad transferred for his final season and couldn’t think of a better place to be than by his former position coach. 

At Idaho, he is switching from outside linebacker to the Mike linebacker spot where he is listed as the starter. It will be an opportunity to show off his athleticism. 

INCOMING FRESHMEN

The first recruit to step on campus made his head coach, and his head coach’s wife, very happy when he committed to join the Vandals. Jaxton Eck, turned down offers from other top-25 FCS programs to follow his father, head coach Jason Eck to Moscow, the city where he was born. 

He joined the team in January and jumped into the playbook. He also made big strides in the weight room and with spring ball under his belt, he fit right into the defense. 

True freshman Xe’Ree Alexander stepped onto campus in the summer to similar results. Both look like players who will contribute right away for the Vandals. 

“I’m extremely pleased with this incoming freshman class. It is the best I've been around,” Aurich said. “Jaxton Eck and Xe’ree Alexander. Their knowledge of the game is high for their age, and they've been really physical as tacklers and block shedders. You’re going to see them come in the game week one and contribute against Lamar.”

Another key freshman is Coeur d’ Alene native Zach Johnson, he looked to be on the same track as Eck and Alexander, but injuries slowed his progress during fall camp. 

“Zach has great speed four or five speed great length six two and he is a rangy player,” Aurich said.  “He had an ankle injury for most of camp, so he didn't get a chance to get all the reps we wanted to give him, but he's a bright, bright player who’s going to be here for a long time.”