North Carolina State University Athletics
Linebacker Spot Feels Like Home For Jamison
4/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tony Haynes
Prior to sending his team to the practice field for the first of 15 workouts about a month ago, NC State football coach Chuck Amato said that spring practice would be a time for experimentation.
Apparently, one of the Pack's biggest experiments this spring was a rousing success.
Not only did Brian Jamison make a fairly smooth transition from defensive end to inside linebacker, he looked good doing it.
"I think he's a natural there," Amato said. "He can add another runner and a hitter. He only weighs about 225, but he sees so much. He overruns a few things, but all linebackers do that."
Edrick Smith's departure from the program left Dantonio Burnette as the only inside linebacker with any significant experience. Jamison, a senior from Swedesboro, N.J., received a few practice reps at the strongside linebacker spot last season soon after senior starter Clayton White went down with an arm injury. But his primary role was as a pass rushing defensive end. From his end position, Jamison actually led the team with 5.5 sacks. He also caused three fumbles in an 8-4 season that ended with a thrilling come from behind victory over Minnesota in the MicronPC.com Bowl.
Now, as me makes the move from defensive end to linebacker, Jamison will have to adjust to standing on two feet before the snap instead of being down in a three-point stance. He will also have coverage responsibilities against the pass.
"I love it," Jamison said, "and I feel like this is where I should be. I see everything so much quicker and it seems like I end up in the right spot at the right time. The most difficult thing to adjust to were the pass drops. I went from rushing the quarterback on the defensive line where I never went back in pass coverage. But now that spring practice is over, I know all the plays and I feel comfortable."
Among other things, middle linebackers must be able to plug inside running plays, which is exactly why Jamison wants to add 10 more pounds to his frame during the off-season. From a speed and quickness standpoint, he is already faster than most of the other inside linebackers the Pack has featured in recent years.
"Brian Jamison can be a great linebacker," said NC State outside linebacker Levar Fisher, who was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year last season. "As long as he can stay disciplined and listen to the coaches, the sky will be the limit for him. He brings a whole lot more speed to that position. I feel very comfortable with him in there."
