Football 8/23/2019 8:35:00 AM Chris Brannick

Linebackers Bring Physicality To The Bronchos

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma football team preview is midway through the defensive side of the ball, with the linebackers up for a closer look.

"This is another group that we need to work on who is going to fit together and what is the best group that needs to be on the field," UCO head football coach Nick Bobeck said. "We've got some guys with experience and we've got some new guys that are pretty talented. There's no question this is a good, solid group of athletes. And the depth will help us too, being able to play multiple guys throughout the game."

UCO is also reloading at the linebacker position as it is in some other areas on defense, but it still features a group of returners – six total and three that played a season ago. Add four newcomers to the mix and the Bronchos are geared up for another strong season defensively.

Bryan Burns, Jeremiah Hill, and Dillon Hall each played significant snaps last fall, and each will play a key role this season. Hall led the charge with 54 tackles, two and a half behind the line, and one sack. Burns followed that with 36 tackles and Hill had 16 stops. Hill also recovered a pair of fumbles.

Marlo Hughes Jr., Jason Harris, and Christian Maloy all sat out last season as redshirts but will also fight for time on the field this fall.

Drequan Brown, Isaiah Feaster, Jack Onarecker, and Isaiah Major are all newcomers that will contend for time. Brown and Feaster are transfers that should see more reps. Onarecker and Major are be true freshman.

The size is there. The ability is there. The depth is there. Central Oklahoma made huge strides on defense a year ago – including three consecutive shutouts in late October and early November – and through two and a half weeks of camp, looks to now maintain that level of play.

The Bronchos open the 2019 season Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. inside Wantland Stadium against Pittsburg State. Tickets are available now. Call (405) 974-2140 and order yours today.

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Players Mentioned

#30 Bryan Burns: LB; 6' 0"; Senior

#40 Dillon Hall: LB; 6' 0"; Senior

#35 Jason Harris: LB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#36 Jeremiah Hill: LB; 6' 1"; Senior

#41 Christian Maloy: LB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

#20 Isaiah Major: LB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#28 Isaiah Feaster: LB; 5' 11"; Junior

#22 Drequan Brown: LB; 6' 2"; Senior

#38 Jack Onarecker: LB; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#30 Bryan Burns
: 6' 0"; Senior
: LB

#40 Dillon Hall
: 6' 0"; Senior
: LB

#35 Jason Harris
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: LB

#36 Jeremiah Hill
: 6' 1"; Senior
: LB

#41 Christian Maloy
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: LB

#20 Isaiah Major
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: LB

#28 Isaiah Feaster
: 5' 11"; Junior
: LB

#22 Drequan Brown
: 6' 2"; Senior
: LB

#38 Jack Onarecker
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: LB