Four players competing for two linebacker spots They went to elementary school and junior high together, then became standouts at rival high schools five minutes apart in the suburbs of St. Louis. Both named Matt, they were side-by-side on the 2007 Suburban West all-conference team.
Four years later and 860 miles east, Matt Warrick and Matt Brewer are still together as inside linebackers at Navy. The juniors are contending for starting slots with more experienced seniors — Caleb King and Max Blue.
Recommended Stories
It’s a nice problem for the Midshipmen.
“We feel good about four guys,” coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “In my mind, they’re all starters. During the course of the game, they’ll all be playing. None of us should flinch or blink. We’ve got great confidence in all four of them.”
Warrick (6-foot-2, 223) is the tallest and fastest. Blue is the smallest (6-0, 200) but most experienced. Brewer (6-0, 226) and King (6-0, 223) are nearly identical in size and demeanor.
“Brewer’s a stud,” Warrick said. “He’ll knock the crap out of anybody.”
Brewer played running back and linebacker at Lafayette High. Warrick was primarily a running back at Marquette High.
“His team was pretty good. My team not so much,” Warrick said. “But it’s a pretty cool rivalry. The schools play each other in the final game of the season every year.”
While Brewer was a linebacker at Navy from day one, Warrick was recruited to play slot back. But after a season buried on the depth chart behind smaller, shiftier players, Warrick was converted to a position that better suited his rangy frame.
“I had the speed, maybe not the moves,” Warrick said.
Warrick picked up the position quickly, working his way into the lineup late last season. In his first start against Army, Warrick made 13 tackles.
In the Mids’ first scrimmage this preseason, Warrick led Navy with eight tackles. In any other year, his significant upside would make him a starter. But the other linebackers are making a compelling case as well.
King has improved after losing 15 pounds and adding quickness. In Saturday’s scrimmage, King had a sack, a fumble recovery and a diving interception. In the spring game, King recovered a fumble for the winning touchdown.
“I don’t feel like I solidified anything, really,” King said. “We’ve got four guys who are real good. The way I see it in my mind, I’m behind.”
It appears that replacing last year’s most productive defender, Tyler Simmons (131 tackles), will be the job of more than one player.
“I feel like this year’s group is far ahead of last year’s,” King said. “Matt Brewer will punish anybody you put in front of him. Matt Warrick’s a freak of an athlete.”
And then there’s Blue, who started five times last year and continues a strong tradition of Navy linebackers from Texas, including 2009 starters Ross Pospisil, Tony Haberer and Ram Vela.
“You always want to be the starter,” Blue said. “We’re all working hard. The competition just makes us better.”
