West Chester's Linebackers Among The Best In The Country

EDITOR'S NOTE: Today's segment is the fifth in a short series that will preview the 2014 West Chester University Golden Rams football team. Today's segment will include the linebackers. A look at the defensive secondary will be featured on Friday.
 
WEST CHESTER, Pa. - There is no question that senior linebackers Ronell Williams and Mike Labor make up the best inside tandem in the country. Williams, an American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA) postseason All-America selection in 2012, was picked as a preseason All-American by both The Sporting News and D2Football.com. He has led the Golden Rams in tackles in each of his first three years on campus and is looking to become the first player in school history to lead the team all four years at the school. Labor registered over 100 tackles a year ago as well and has played in the shadow of Williams for much of his career. However, Zwaan recognizes that Labor is every bit as good as Williams, and the two feed off of one another. Together, they anchored a defense that ranked fifth overall in the PSAC and fourth in scoring defense in the conference.
 
With arguably the two best linebackers in the region returning to patrol the inside, West Chester is not worried about its linebacking corps. Ronell Williams and Mike Labor each registered over 100 tackles last year and combined for 22.5 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks and 3 interceptions. The duo seems to get better every passing year, and Zwaan expects them to be playing at an even higher level in 2014.
 
"We are hoping they are ready to take the next step," Zwaan said. "They have done that each year. They know the defense really well, and they challenge each other every day in practice. What we want from them this year are more caused turnovers. We want them intercepting more passes and forcing more fumbles."
 
Williams is the outspoken, unquestioned leader of the defensive unit. An AFCA postseason All-America selection after his sophomore year, Williams is again drawing the attention of the preseason committees as well as scouts alike. He has led the Golden Rams in tackles each of the past three seasons, and if he breaks the century mark in tackles again, he would be the first to do that all four years.
 
Williams recorded 110 stops in 2013, including 9.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He intercepted two passes, broke up three others and was credited with four QB hurries. He forced one fumble and recovered a fumble.
 
Labor worked his way through some injuries early on in his career, but really had a breakout year last fall. He won the confidence and respect of his teammates on the field and blossomed into the same type of linebacker as Williams. Zwaan believes there is no significant difference between the two and loves having both of them roaming around the pitch.
 
Labor posted 105 tackles, a team-leading 13 tackles for a loss that included 4.5 sacks. He intercepted a pass, broke up another, was credited with one QB hurry and also forced a fumble.
 
Playing that "shark" position is the one area that Zwaan and his defensive coordinator, Mike Furlong, have the most concern. Drew Formica, who finished sixth on the team in tackles a year ago with 63, is the top candidate to replace the departed Shawn Krautzel. Formica spelled Krautzel at that spot and showed tremendous potential.
 
"He is a linebacker playing safety," Zwaan said. "But, that is what that shark position is. Our concern is in his coverage. Though, he has made himself a better cover guy."
 
Behind Formica, will be Byron Cooper and Jeremy Irving. Both transferred into the program over a year ago and struggled to find playing time in 2013 after a pair of injuries cut short their seasons. Cooper blossomed on special teams, blocking a punt against New Haven in the season opener. He has the build of a linebacker with the athleticism and quickness of a defensive back.
 
Meanwhile, Irving brings a different approach to the position. Zwaan feels he can blitz off the edge and put some pressure on opponents that way. Irving will certainly play a larger role this year. It gives Zwaan some depth and some options at the shark position.
 
Sophomore Ralph Reeves will be pushing Williams and Labor for playing time this year. He is talented in his own right and could step in at a moment's notice. Add into the mix Culbreath, who may also be playing up front on the defensive line, and again, Zwaan has options available to him. Red-shirt freshman Kevin Duggan has shown steady improvement. He may be utilized on special teams as well as his familiar linebacker spot. Red-shirt freshman Dan Sherry makes the transition from defensive back to linebacker.
 
Sophomore Brandon Spatz, who tore his ACL in West Chester's win at Shippensburg, will red-shirt this fall while making the switch from defensive back to linebacker in 2015. Spatz was a nice surprise for the coaching staff last season, appearing in eight games before being sidelined the rest of the year with that injury.