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UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) has gone from walk on to key leader for the Bruins’ defense. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Often it’s his awareness in the seconds before the snap that has turned Carson Schwesinger from zero-star prospect to hero of the UCLA defense.
Scanning the players across the line of scrimmage, he examines body positioning and mannerisms that can provide a tipoff.
Does the offensive tackle place both hands on his thighs? It’s probably going to be a pass.
Does the quarterback lick his hands? He’s probably going to throw the ball.
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger tackles Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula while defensive back Bryan Addison runs forward on Oct. 5 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. (Gregory Fisher / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Does the running back stand a certain way? He’s probably going to take a handoff.
Down and distance enhance the likelihood of one play call over another. Schwesinger runs through the possibilities in his mind. Then he runs to where he thinks the play is going to develop.
“Once the play starts,” Schwesinger said, “you really only have one or two play options that are possible and then you react based off those.”
His instincts are usually right.
In the first five starts of his career, the redshirt junior linebacker has led the Bruins with double-digits tackles each game. Twelve against Louisiana State. Thirteen against Oregon. Fifteen against Penn State. Thirteen against Minnesota. Ten against Rutgers.
“He’s a heat-seeking missile,” fellow Bruins linebacker Kain Medrano said, “just going in there and causing havoc in any way he can.”
Along the way, the former walk-on has emerged as the Big Ten leader with 6.4 solo tackles per game as the Bruins (2-5 overall, 1-4 Big Ten) prepare to face Nebraska (5-3, 2-3) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. He’s also the first UCLA player to log double figures in tackles in five consecutive games since current Dallas…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/zero-stars-leading-big-ten-110033069.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-10-31 11:00:33
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