The Jackrabbit linebacker room lost a ton of production mainly due to graduation but returns players who the previous coaching staff hyped up for years but due to experienced and talented upper classmen above them, rarely saw the field. However, the path to more playing time is now clear. I for one, am excited to see these guys finally get their shot. For the first time in over a decade, the linebacker room will not be led or influenced by Jimmy Rogers. Zane Busekist steps into the role as linebacker coach after spending the last two seasons at Boise State as a defensive line coach. Busekist said he was a bit nervous coming into this room because there were no seniors or guys who had played significant snaps. However, he said that the guys in the room have been great. They all have a ton of practice reps and special teams reps but now they all get the chance to be “the guy” at the position.
Mike and Will Linebackers
Busekist shared that the Mike and Will position will be really interchangeable in this defense and that the best two out Joe Ollman, Cullen McShane, Bryce Johnson, and Matt Goehring will be the starters. Coach Busekist also shared that he anticipates rotating in a similar way as to what SDSU has done in previous years. He said weekly matchups, game situations, and if someone gets hot will dictate a lot of the playing time.
#11 Joe Ollman (6’1, 225, JR) was recently voted by his teammates as a captain. He is an awesome story as the former walk-on has worked his tail off to become the player he now is. In 2024 he had 15 total tackles filling in for Adam Bock. He played really well against SIU after Bock was ejected on the first defensive snap of the game. Busekist said that Ollman is the leader of the group and that everyone looks up to him. He credits him with having great scheme knowledge and said that he has no limitations.
Also in contention to start at either spot is #5 Cullen McShane (6-2, 230, JR). McShane is a player who coaches have spoken highly of for years because of his athleticism and physical talent. He had 13 total tackles last season and a huge blocked punt. Busekist said that he is the most physical guy in the room and brings a great mentality to the group. Busekist has complete confidence in him at either position.
#33 Bryce Johnson (6-3, 215, JR) is a pre-med student that brings some real book smarts to the room. He too can play either Mike or Will. He is very mature in how he takes care of his body according to Busekist and attacks his prehab and rehab as good as anyone. He has great length and can set an edge and really get after it. He had 6 total tackles in a reserve role.
USF transfer #9 Matt Goehring (6-1, 220, JR) joins the group after being earning All-NSIC second team recognition the past two years. He had 4 INTs and 59 total tackles last season for USF. Busekist credits him with coming in and working really hard and putting his best foot forward. Busekist said that he brings a good energy to the room and that he is really pushing to see lots of time on the field this fall.
Local product #45 Boden Schiller (6-1, 200, RFR) has made some HUGE strides since January according to Busekist. Boden attacked the weight room and transformed his body. Busekist believes he is going to be a dude and will push these older guys for playing time this year. He believes Boden will be one of the best special teams players this year as a core four type of guy. He can play either Mike or Will but is focusing in on Will for now.
The Jacks brought in a terrific group of freshmen. #44 Casey Larson (6’2, 205, FR) is from Washington (the state not the school) and followed Coach Dan Jackson to SDSU after originally committing to Idaho. Busekist believes his future is at the MIKE and said that he is coming in with a good understanding of the little details that it takes to be a great middle linebacker. Busekist said that he has a big frame and can really run!
#39 Beau Bakken (6’4, 215, FR), #42 Brady Kurt (6’2, 190, FR), #41 Spencer Wientjes (6’0, 215, FR) are very talented players with bright futures who will just take a little longer to see the field. Bakken is making a big transition from 9 to 11 man football. He’s doing a great job and just gaining confidence as he goes along. Kurt is a high character kid that is an absolute student of the game. He’s great in the classroom and the next step is to transfer it to the practice field. Wientjes runs really well and is growing in the meeting room and making sure he is taking care of himself outside of practice.
Sam Linebacker
At the SAM spot is #28 Chase Van Tol (6-1, 200, SO) who seemingly just made plays every time he was on the field in 2024. He ended the season with 35 total tackles and 3 TFL. Van Tol has been hyped for the past two seasons by the previous coaching staff. They believed that he would be the next great Jackrabbit linebacker. Busekist thinks that Van Tol is one of the best overall football players on the team. Busekist said that he is an awesome kid, works hard, and can play on an island. I asked Busekist if Van Tol was ready for the expectations and he said that Chase is 100% ready for the spotlight. He said the next step is for Chase to take on a leadership role for the defense.
#47 Kytan Fyfe (6’2, 210, JR) and #17 Ernest Blackshire Jr. (6-2, 200, JR) are working hard to earn the next spot. Fyfe played last season and had a forced fumble and tackle against YSU. Busekist said that he is cross-trained at both the Will and Sam spot. He has a good frame and is great in zone while becoming more comfortable with his man coverage skills. Blackshire brings a wealth of experience from Dupage Junior College where he played safety, cornerback, and linebacker. This experience of playing all over the field is exactly why SDSU recruited him. Busekist said that EJ has been learning the defensive scheme and has brought a great energy to the room.
#20 Graham Eben (6’1, 200, RFR), #48 Jack Nash (6’1, 185, RFR), and #4 Andrew “AP” Price (5’11, 200, FR) are all competing for that next spot. Eben transferred in from Iowa and is moved to linebacker midway through spring after starting at safety. He has good knowledge of the scheme but the fulltime move to linebacker will really help him focus on learning just the sam spot. Expectations are high for Graham! Nash had a really good spring and is adding weight. Besides adding weight, Jack’s focus is on just being consistent every day. AP brings a lot of physicality to the position even though he doesn’t have the same type of length. Busekist thinks he has a really bright future at SDSU and appreciates that AP is doing everything asked of him.
Go Jacks!
Matt
