Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh Football Preview: Linebackers
8/12/2019 3:39:00 PM | Football
Throughout the month of August Lehighsports.com will be taking a position-by-position look at the 2019 Lehigh football team. The Mountain Hawks, under the direction of first-year head coach Tom Gilmore, opened preseason camp on August 1 and are preparing for the 2019 season-opener August 31 versus Saint Francis at Goodman Stadium.
We continue with a look at the linebackers.Â
The contributing faces changed periodically last season but the constant at linebacker for the Mountain Hawks has been Keith Woetzel who led Lehigh in tackles in each of the last two seasons. Woetzel recorded 89 tackles as a junior and added 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception, while playing through a broken thumb for most of the season.
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"Keith had a great year last season and was very impressive in the spring," Gilmore said. "He has the potential to be a very good linebacker in this league. He showed that last year and I'm expecting another big year from him."
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Junior Pete Haffner stepped in alongside Woetzel at the tail end of last season and finished with 48 tackles, earning a Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week award following his performance against Bucknell.
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The linebacking corps will be bolstered with the return of junior Nate Norris, who was tabbed for a prominent role last year before suffering a season-ending injury against Villanova.
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"Pete (Haffner) stepped up big last year when there were a lot of injuries at that position, and did a really good job," Gilmore said. He's one of those guys who is always doing the right thing. He's internally motivated. He takes a lot of pride in what he's doing.
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"Nate Norris is back after an injury last season," Gilmore continued. "Nate really impresses me as a guy who is willing to work as hard as he has to, not only to get himself on the field, but to play at a very high level. I've been really impressed with the progress that he's made from a physical standpoint. He's one of the strong, silent types. He doesn't say a whole lot, but he really brings it in everything he's doing. I'm looking forward to having him back healthy this year."
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Senior Jon Seighman made 50 tackles last season in 11 games and could provide depth at linebacker or as a safety. He played all over the field on defense during the spring.
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Providing additional depth at linebacker will be junior Alon Berkowitz and freshmen Stephon Bland, Jack Pilson, Rha Overstreet, Henry Houghton and Grayson Crozier.
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We continue with a look at the linebackers.Â
The contributing faces changed periodically last season but the constant at linebacker for the Mountain Hawks has been Keith Woetzel who led Lehigh in tackles in each of the last two seasons. Woetzel recorded 89 tackles as a junior and added 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception, while playing through a broken thumb for most of the season.
Â
"Keith had a great year last season and was very impressive in the spring," Gilmore said. "He has the potential to be a very good linebacker in this league. He showed that last year and I'm expecting another big year from him."
Â
Junior Pete Haffner stepped in alongside Woetzel at the tail end of last season and finished with 48 tackles, earning a Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week award following his performance against Bucknell.
Â
The linebacking corps will be bolstered with the return of junior Nate Norris, who was tabbed for a prominent role last year before suffering a season-ending injury against Villanova.
Â
"Pete (Haffner) stepped up big last year when there were a lot of injuries at that position, and did a really good job," Gilmore said. He's one of those guys who is always doing the right thing. He's internally motivated. He takes a lot of pride in what he's doing.
Â
"Nate Norris is back after an injury last season," Gilmore continued. "Nate really impresses me as a guy who is willing to work as hard as he has to, not only to get himself on the field, but to play at a very high level. I've been really impressed with the progress that he's made from a physical standpoint. He's one of the strong, silent types. He doesn't say a whole lot, but he really brings it in everything he's doing. I'm looking forward to having him back healthy this year."
Â
Senior Jon Seighman made 50 tackles last season in 11 games and could provide depth at linebacker or as a safety. He played all over the field on defense during the spring.
Â
Providing additional depth at linebacker will be junior Alon Berkowitz and freshmen Stephon Bland, Jack Pilson, Rha Overstreet, Henry Houghton and Grayson Crozier.
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