Figured we needed to get some LB love in here. Can't wait to start busting heads with Scott and Jimmy (if my guy is good to go. If not I'll fix it ASAP).
Name: Brick “Hit Stick” Newell
Year: Junior
Major (+Minor): Communications
Gender: Male
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
High School: Greater Latrobe High School
Position (+ Number): ILB (51)
Height / Weight: 6' 2” 231lbs
Biography: Brick grew up right next door to the training camp location for his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers. Seeing the his idols every single July so close and watching them destroy the competition on Sundays made him want wear the legendary hypocycloids as well one day. Brick made it a mission that he was gonna be the next great football player to come out of his little home town. At an early age he began training his body to make his high school's football team as a defensive end. After making his freshman team he was told he would need to adjust to a linebacker position. While he didn't like the idea of the move, his father began showing him film of some of the best linebackers the Steel City had ever produced. Brick's father worked in a steel mill during the glory years of the Steel Curtain and had recorded those games on an old Betamax recorder. Brick spent weeks watching old greats like Andy Russell, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert to see how they maneuvered on the field during plays.
His freshman year turned out to be quite a success all things considered. He led the team in tackles with 72 and tackles for loss with 20. Brick's sophomore year however would turn out a lot worse as a GPA problem would have him miss the first game of the season. While he would have been eligible to play the next game his father personally had him removed from the team entirely. While Brick was beyond angry at the choice he did see the purpose of his father's decision. His second year in high school was completely dedicated to getting his school work done and make it his number one priority. Making the varsity squad for his junior year, Brick went into the year with a 3.5 GPA and went on to lead his team to State as the captain of the defense. The year then after they repeated as champs and Brick graduated in the top ten in GPA with a 3.8 average.
During his recruitment process he received opportunities to go and play for other schools such as Penn State and Alabama, but was only given red shirt scholarships from major schools as well as being told he would need to move to safety due to his size. Sentinel State came in late, but offered the best opportunity. He was given a starting job as the team's Mike linebacker and he immediately committed to the school.
Brick gained his nickname for his tendency to lower the boom on tight ends coming across the middle and running backs sitting back waiting for a screen. He has the speed to cover running plays tackle to tackle and can keep his feet moving to push zone blocking schemes from opening holes so his defensive linemen can make the plays. He still has some work to do on his hands as he has only caught seven interceptions in his time at Sentinel State, but is considered to be one of the top zone cover linebackers in college. Doesn't have the speed to keep up with receivers one-on-one, but can at least make it a pain for them to get off the line. Does a film study to catch quarterback tendencies and will at times call an audible when the team isn't in a good scheme to face off against the next play.
Personality: Brick is a fun guy that enjoys a good night out on the town as much as the next guy, but doesn't really party too much around the campus. Always has a smile on his face it seems and loves throwing playful jabs at his teammates when he catches them doing something embarrassing. Takes his jabs with a laugh when he gets caught though, so he knows how to take his own medicine. Stays serious about his academics and keeps a 3.6 GPA up. Says that the Dean's list is his favorite award to put on his shelf as a joke. On the field he may be the biggest trash talker in the league and lets his opponent know when he made them look stupid. If a teammate makes a big play he will more than likely be the first guy going over to the guy and smacking his helmet around to show his appreciation for the effort and hustle. When someone starts getting into it with a teammate he is always ready to throw down. Sometimes known to give small cheap shots at the bottom of a pile as payback for a previous offense. And of course, he does it all with a smile.
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