Senior linebacker Kellen Pruitt knows that at any time a younger player can challenge a veteran for a position. There will always be a competition whether a coach announces it or not.

Syracuse football head coach Greg Robinson instilled that principle this spring. He told the team that every position was open. He guaranteed no playing time.

Robinson’s words carried even more weight for Pruitt’s position of linebacker. The coaching staff shuffled two starters from last year to new positions and with a third starter sitting out practice, the competition has been intense. At least eight different players are competing for significant playing time at just three positions.

‘Everybody wants to play and everybody feels like they can play,’ Pruitt said. ‘It’s always a competition every day you go out there.’

Junior Kelvin Smith moved from strong-side linebacker to middle linebacker for spring practice. Pruitt moved from the weak-side to the strong-side position Smith vacated.

Those position changes were fine except Syracuse already had a middle linebacker – Jerry Mackey. The junior started 11 of 12 games last season and led SU in tackles with 106. He added two sacks, the most of any linebacker.

Mackey underwent off-season shoulder surgery and has been unable to practice this spring. When he observes Orange practices at Coyne Field, Mackey sees Smith manning his position and he’s unable to challenge his teammate.

‘It’s probably pretty difficult to sit out and see somebody who’s in your position that you started,’ Pruitt said. ‘Jerry’s going to get out there and try as hard to get back on the field.’

If Mackey recovers fully, it’s possible Smith will return to outside linebacker. But there is also a chance Smith will start the season in the middle while Mackey is relegated to backup status. That would leave the weak-side position open for a first-time starter.

‘It’s a good, healthy competition,’ said Steve Russ, linebackers coach. ‘If you’re going to have a good defense, you’ve got to have competition. You’ve got to have guys pushing for starts. That means you’re going to develop great backup people as well.’

So far, the coaching staff hasn’t tipped off who’s leading the linebacker derby. Each player has earned the normal praise for ‘competing hard’ and learning the new defense which asks the linebackers to be more aggressive and utilize speed.

Russ did not call for a set rotation or trio of starters by the end of spring practice. He simply wants each player to progress each day.

‘They’re all working hard,’ Russ said. ‘I don’t want to single anyone out. They’re all trying to get better in their own way.’

The competition is expected to continue into preseason camp when Mackey returns to practice. While Mackey and Smith might battle at middle linebacker, Pruitt, in his final year, faces a slew of younger challengers at outside linebacker.

Pruitt said there is a greater responsibility to cover the tight end at his new position on the strong side. He has to play more physical and read the tight end better.

‘It’s a big challenge,’ Pruitt said. ‘It’s a chance to get better at another position.’

Sophomore Vincenzo Giruzzi and junior Jamar Atkinson are challenging Pruitt for the starting spot. Both Giruzzi and Atkinson have great speed but Pruitt has a slight height advantage.

At weak-side linebacker, senior Tommy Harris, junior Luke Cain and redshirt freshman Jake Flaherty are in the mix, assuming a player like Smith or Atkinson isn’t moved there.

Cain filled in when Pruitt was injured for three games last year, recording 24 tackles in 10 games. Harris was active for all 12 games last year but saw limited action and has never started. Harris has impressed Pruitt thus far in practice.

‘Tommy’s been doing pretty good,’ Pruitt said. ‘He knows football because he’s been in so many different positions.’

Like his coaching staff, Pruitt didn’t venture a guess at who will start at linebacker this fall. It’s probably because he’s been too busy trying to secure one of those spots himself.

‘We’re all trying to get our own positions right now,’ Pruitt said. ‘Any given time your position can be taken. You’ve got to go hard all the time.’

Published on April 12, 2005 at 12:00 pm