Aug. 18, 2010

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BEAUMONT - Lamar University linebackers Jonathan Ekpe (Cape Vincent, NY) and Asim Hicks (Newark, NJ) have a lot in common.

Both football players originally come from the Northeast. Both played two seasons at Dean College in Franklin, Mass. Both are roughly six-feet tall and weigh in at 210 pounds. And, both are the only linebackers at Lamar that have any previous playing experience at the college level.

Ekpe has been on the Lamar campus for a year as a 2009 signee by Head Coach Ray Woodard and his staff. Hicks signed this past spring and is starting his first training camp with the Cardinals. Linebackers coach Craig McGallion is pleased with what he has seen so far in camp.

"Asim is a good addition and Ekpe is doing what I thought he could do," said McGallion. "Both players can run for days and bring a great deal of intensity to the defense."

In most defensive formations Lamar will run, there will only be two linebackers on the field. While Hicks and Ekpe are slated to start right now, McGallion is expecting his five other linebackers, all new to the college game, to improve and fight for time.

"Right now the key is being fundamentally sound," noted McGallion. "We are having to break some of the old habits of the older guys, and teach our system to the younger players. Several of them will be pressed into action."

Lamar will have the services of Jestin White (Houston), William Jones (Beaumont), James Washington (Houston), Joseph Viator (Orange) and Blake Peveto (Orange), as well. McGallion will lean heavily on this group to perform several different functions on defense.

"We are the backbone of the defense," McGallion said. "We are an attacking defense and our linebackers like that, but we still have to be able to drop back into coverage. We're going to blitz, but our no. 1 priority is to stop the run.

"We are a little undersized, but we have a lot of quickness and are very aggressive." Ekpe has put himself out as one of the leaders, not just for the linebacker corps, but for the entire defense.

"Since first getting here, I was feeling things out and seeing where I fit in," said Ekpe. "But now I take myself as a leader on the team. The younger guys can come to me and Asim and ask questions about anything, and we try to help."

Ekpe has been impressed with the entire defense this camp and sees the Cardinals improving every day.

"The defensive line play is getting so good, and that is allowing us to fill the gaps and cause chaos," said Ekpe. "The key for us is to be consistent and make the plays we're supposed to make.

"Coach McGallion expects the best from us, and if we put in the work we can be some of the best in the (Southland) conference."

Lamar began its first true two-a-days Wednesday and the next three weeks will be key to Lamar getting ready, not just for the opener at McNeese State, but for the entire season.

Not everything will be working in the team's favor, though. The Texas heat continues to play a major factor in camp, and for a guy from New York, that can be tough.

"It's much hotter here than I'm used to and that can take a toll on you," said Ekpe. "We're getting used to it, but sometimes it tears you apart."

Even with the heat, McGallion has like the effort of his Cardinals. "Never once have we taken a lazy step," said McGallion. "We have given great effort even in the heat and the guys are attentive and trying to get better.

"Competition is what gets you better. We have been competing against each other and now we're ready to see somebody else."

No matter the pain or wear, Ekpe knows the best is yet to come.

"Tough days never last, tough guys do."