Cal Poly Football Position Preview: Linebackers
8/15/2024 3:47:00 PM | Football
The linebacking crew for Cal Poly brings back seven guys from last year’s roster, including four who started several games, allowing the Mustangs to have experience and depth at the position.
The players who are back who were key contributors at linebacker last year are Ethan Calvert, who in just six games before getting hurt was tied for fourth on the team in tackles with 37. Je’kob Jones, who was tied with Calvert with 37 tackles in addition to five tackles for loss, is also back.
Kenny Olson, who amassed 36 tackles and an interception in nine games and at one point during the season was ranked as the top linebacker in all of FCS by PFF.com, returns to serve a big role. Longtime contributor Judaea Moon is back for his fourth full season despite first coming to Cal Poly in 2019. In seven games last year, Moon had 16 tackles and two tackles for loss.
All that experience and guys who have been contributors over the past few seasons have head coach Paul Wulff excited about the group.
Our overall speed at the position from top to bottom is much greater than we’ve had in previous years and just our experience back I do like the direction the group is headed right now.Paul Wulff, Head Coach
Gallery: Linebackers Fall Camp 2024
Adding to the group are six newcomers and two guys who redshirted last season. They are comprised of five true freshmen and one transfer.
The transfer, Mikey D’Amato is a sophomore who played last season at Saddleback Community College where he had 67 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions in 10 games. D’Amato was originally a Montana State commit.
“Between the guys we got coming back and the talent level that some of these newcomers bring, we expect a higher level of execution and some maturity on the football field,” Wulff added.
Leading the linebacking crew from the coaching side is a new face to the program in Kevin Clune. Clune is no stranger to coaching however with several decades of experience at several institutions under his belt coaching the defensive side of the ball.
“He’s been a defensive coordinator in the PAC-12, Mountain West and brings a tremendous amount of experience and success,” Wulff said. “Very fortunate to have him and I think he’s going to provide a lot of wisdom and experience to the group.”
