Breaking down the linebacker room
The Bearcats are looking to replace two starters in the linebacker room after seeing Darrian Beavers and Joel Dublanko head off to the NFL, who were the heart and soul of that linebacker room a season ago. However, the Bearcats got a huge splash in the transfer portal as they were able to bring in a guy like Ivan Pace, whose brother Deshawn, is looking to make a huge impact this season after jumping on the scene in 2021 where he finished 6th in the AAC with 94 tackles and a team high four interceptions a season ago. Who else should they keep an eye on heading into the 2022 season, within that linebacker room.
Wil Huber– Huber, is looking to take control of that linebacker room, as the 6-foot-5 graduate linebacker saw a lot of action in 2021 predominantly on third downs, but the 6th year linebacker knew what was at sake when he made his decision to come back for his extra year of eligibility. Huber was able to learn and really become great friends with guys like Darrian Beavers, and Joel Dublanko who both saw their rise to the NFL, Huber looks to be the next linebacker that hopes to make the transition to the NFL in the near future.
Ivan Pace- Ivan, is the brother of Deshawn Pace, who had a stellar career at Miami(OH) where he finished with 125 tackles a season ago for the RedHawks, is looking to bring some more weapons to the Bearcats defense as we have seen early on what Ivan is capable of doing, as he brings a high football IQ to the linebacker room, but also has the ability to get after the quarterback in the backfield, as he once finished a game with six sacks for those who didn’t know. Pace gives the Bearcats a legimate weapon on defense to mix along with guys like Jaheim Thomas, Wil Huber, Ty Van Fossen, Deshawn Pace and it will be very curious to see what happens out there in week one versus Arkansas.
Jaheim Thomas– Thomas, broke onto the scene in 2021 during his sophomore campaign where he finished with 23 tackles, including a career high seven tackles versus UCF. Thomas, a 6-foot-4, 245 pound linebacker is having a great fall camp and is really starting to remind me of a guy like Darrian Beavers a little bit, as Thomas, just like the Pace Brother’s are always seeming to be around the ball making tackles. Thomas can be used in multiple different ways due to his size and athleticism, but Thomas also has that speed where he can come right out of nowhere and create some game changing momentum when you need it, and it will be very exciting to see how Mike Tressel utilizes him within that Bearcat defense.
The No. 23 Bearcats will be back to wrap up camp this week, before returning to Nippert Stadium as they will look to take on No. 19 ranked Arkansas in just under three weeks when they travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas in a battle of two Top 25 teams after the first AP Preseason Poll was released earlier today. We won’t know who will be under center yet for the Bearcats however, but whether it’s Ben Bryant or Evan Prater under center they will have a task at hand versus a very solid Arkansas team, as the Bearcats have had their fair share of taste in the SEC the last two seasons, where their only two losses have come to Georgia and Alabama. The Bearcats are looking to get a huge win on the road to kick off the 2022 season as they look to repeat as back-to-back-to-back AAC Champions.
