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FREE: GBK 2017 Spring Camp Update: OLB (Mike Linebackers)

Senior Scott Washle looks to take over at the Mike OLB spot
Senior Scott Washle looks to take over at the Mike OLB spot (Danny Wild)

On March 10th, GoBlackKnights.com submitted our pre-spring projected two-deep on both offense and defense.

- 2017 Army Football Spring Depth Chart

- GBK: 2017 Army Spring Football Camp Central Recap (Free)

Well, the Army Black Knights have logged in 10 spring practices, with Friday’s scrimmage onboard and April 15th’s Annual Black & Gold Spring Game on the horizon.

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So, GBK takes a look at how things on unfolding relative to personnel and the two-deep on both sides of the ball, starting with the defense.

Which players have stepped up, which players have moved positions, which incoming freshmen could conceivably makes some noise upon their arrival this summer and more.

GBK had an opportunity converse with defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, along with our own observations regarding the Black Knights’ defensive personnel, so let’s take a look with just five practices remaining for the spring session.

So, let’s now move to the other outside linebacker and more specifically, at the MIKE position.

OLB (Mike):

From our pre-spring two deep through the spring football camp, there hasn’t been much that has changed relative to personnel, but let’s see where we are right now.

We had seasoned veteran Scott Washle penciled in at the No. 1 spot on our depth and that is exactly where he has been running throughout the spring. This will the Washle’s first season as a starter and he is one of the most respected players on the team.

Behind Washle has been sophomore Cole Christiansen, who has a bright future in the program.

“Scott’s done a great job as a leader and as a veteran.” declared Bateman. “We are trying to get him a bunch of reps but at the same time be cognizant that he is an older kid and how much he has been in the frey of the 2nd kid a lot.”

“Cole is really coming along and we are excited about him. I think that he is going to be a really good player for us,” the defensive coordinator added.

SUMMARY: When it comes to size with these to players, Christiansen is smaller, where he is tipping the scale in the 220ish range, and the next step for him to get better would be to get a little bigger going forward. What he does bring to the table is that he is a runner and a hitter.

He gives us some stuff inside that we haven’t had I think. He’s going to play a lot in the nickel and dime stuff ... he has a lot of value there. When it comes to size, Washle chimes in at approximately 240 pounds

NOTABLES: The team is back on the field today, with a full scrimmage, as the team was in full pads on Tuesday and helmets/shoulder pads on Wednesday. Head Coach Jeff Monken is managing it whereby the team is not having three full day practices in a row and it appears to be working out well, as the team continues to look brisk and fresh out there.

Next Up - Defensive End

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