ERIE, Pa. - Beginning last week, we began showcasing a position-by-position outlook for the Mercyhurst College football team leading up to its season opener against Notre Dame College at Tullio Field on September 3. We begin our second - and final - week of positional outlooks with a peek at the linebacking corps.



The heart of the Mercyhurst defense last season took a major hit due to graduation. Gone are three-time All-PSAC West selection and CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honoree Bryan Boyce, as well as two-time All-PSAC West choice, Tim Herbener. The duo finished first and second on the team, respectively, in tackles, combining for 98 solo and 77 assisted stops. Throw in a combined 30 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks, four interceptions, and three fumble recoveries and their value to the team becomes even more pronounced.

But, enter senior Ian Wild (6-0, 215, Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin), who moves over from the Laker position this season to play at outside linebacker. Wild was the recipient of the 2010-11 Pete Nevins PSAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He was a two-sport athlete last year for the Lakers, having been an integral part of both the PSAC Champion football team and the National Champion men's lacrosse team.

Wild started all 13 games on defense, finishing third on the team in total tackles with 79 and had five or more stops in 11 of the 13 games. He also forced a team-high three fumbles. In 2010 alone, Wild was an All-PSAC West First Team selection, a CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team member, a CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team member, a Daktronics Super Region I First Team selection, a Don Hansen Football Gazette Super Region I First-Team selection, a member of the ECAC Division II Football All-Star Team, and was a Don Hansen Football Gazette Second Team All-American. Wild was also a 2009 All-PSAC West Second Team selection and a 2009 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Region Second Team member.

Wild then helped Mercyhurst win its first-ever national championship in men's lacrosse in the spring. Wild scored four goals, including the game-winner, in the 9-8 win over #5 Adelphi to claim the Most Outstanding Player Award in the championship game. Wild was also the NCAA men's lacrosse recipient of the Elite 88 Award.

Also, enter senior Kevin Williams (6-0, 196, Valley Stream, N.Y./Holy Cross), who finished last season with 67 total tackles and eight tackles for a loss. He started every game last season for the first time in his career. Williams also earned his first career touchdown with a 28-yard interception
return in the PSAC Championship.

Williams has 123 career tackles entering his senior campaign.

At the inside linebacker position, redshirt junior Nick Jackson (Randolph, N.Y./Randolph Central) appears to have the inside track. Jackson, who transferred from PSAC-rival Edinboro, had 22 tackles in 12 games last season for the Lakers.

Vying for significant playing time are sophomore Terry Gettings (6-3, 195, Rochester, Pa./Rochester), redshirt freshmen Pat Behm (6-3, 190, Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston), Ross Deglau (6-3, 200, Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic), and Bobby Haraczy (6-0, 200, Mars, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic). Also, keep an eye on incoming freshmen Garrett Wild (6-0, 205, Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and Niko Otto (6-2, 210, Bloomingdale, Ohio/Indian Creek).

2011 Camp Roster: Linebackers

Jesse Ambuster (6-0, 220, Fr., New Castle, Pa. / New Castle)
Jeremy Baronner (6-0, 230, Fr., Erie, Pa. / McDowell)
Pat Behm (6-3, 190, R-Fr., Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston)
Ross Deglau (6-3, 200, R-Fr., Greensburg, Pa. / Greensburg Central Catholic)
Terry Gettings (6-4, 210, So., Rochester, Pa. / Rochester)
Bobby Haraczy (6-0, 200, R-Fr., Mars, Pa. / Pittsburgh Central Catholic) 
Nick Jackson (6-0, 220, R-Jr., Randolph, N.Y. / Edinboro)
Aaron McGee (6-0, 210, Fr., Pittsburgh, Pa. / Montour)
Niko Otto (6-2, 215, Fr., Bloomingdale, Ohio / Indian Creek)
Marco Palermo (6-0, 230, Fr., Middletown, Pa. / Lower Dauphin)
Zach Sloan (6-4, 220, Fr., West Sunbury, Pa. / Moniteau)
Ian Weaver (5-10, 165, Fr., Punxsutawney, Pa. / Punxsutawney)
Ian Wild (6-0, 215, Sr., Pittsburgh, Pa. / Baldwin)  
Kevin Williams (6-0, 205, Sr., Valley Stream, N.Y. / Holy Cross)
Steve Yarbough (6-2, 210, R-Fr., Beachwood, Ohio / Beachwood) 
  
We will resume our position-by-position look at the football team tomorrow, when we focus on the running backs.

Position-By-Position Outlook Schedule

Monday, August 15 - Wide Receivers
Tuesday, August 16 - Defensive Line
Wednesday, August 17 - Quarterbacks
Thursday, August 18 - Defensive Backs
Friday, August 19 - Offensive Line
Monday, August 22 - Linebackers
Tuesday, August 23 - Running Backs
Wednesday, August 24 - Special Teams
Thursday, August 25 - Tight Ends
Friday, August 26 - Coaching Staff