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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Zeuli, Leicht Lead 2014 Linebacking Corps; Staff Seeks Impact Outside
September 08, 2014 | Football
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In the center of the Princeton defense, there is comfort — at least for the coaching staff. Senior returners Garrit Leicht and Mike Zeuli will anchor the linebacking corps for Princeton this season, and both played prominent roles in the 2013 championship effort.
Outside, there is hope — but no proven track record yet.
GoPrincetonTigers.com continues to preview the Tiger defense by looking at the linebacker position.
WHO'S BACK?
The senior duo of Garrit Leicht and co-captain Mike Zeuli return with 133 combined tackles from the 2013 championship season. Leicht stays as the starter at the middle linebacker position, and he will have an even greater responsibility in the run game following the heavy graduation losses on the defensive line.
Zeuli has been a defensive anchor throughout his career, though he takes over his third different position as a starter this season. After starting at both safety and strong-side linebacker, Zeuli enters this season as a weak-side linebacker; the change is a minimal one for Zeuli, since he handled that position much of last season when Princeton went into nickel.
Zeuli's has both tangible and intangible impacts on the defense. He led the Tigers with 72 tackles during his 2013 All-Ivy season, and he loaded his state sheet with 4.5 sacks, five quarterback hurries and a pair of fumble recoveries. Beyond that, he is the emotional leader of the unit and a terror to any opposing player in the middle of the field.
As a freshman, Rohan Hylton made his presence felt in his first collegiate month, averaging more than one tackle for loss per game in his first three weeks. His increased physical gains, as well as the year of experience, will allow the coaching staff to use him in a variety of ways this season.
WHO'S GONE?
While the inside pair returns, a duo of rush linebacker specialists punctuated their careers with championship efforts. Jason Ray earned All-Ivy League honors after recording 12 tackles for loss and 60 overall; his 12-tackle performance at Harvard, including a touchdown-saving tackle in the final overtime, cemented his legacy. Classmate Elijah Mitchell ranked second on the team with 5.5 sacks, though it was his interception return for a touchdown at Penn that stood as his signature play.
Both players created havoc in the backfield, and the defensive staff needs to figure out who can do the same this year.
WHO COULD ALSO MAKE AN IMPACT?
Sophomore R.J. Paige may not have had the same impact as classmates Hylton and Dorian Williams last season, but he saw solid time and ended the season with seven tackles. He moves to the strong-side position, along with veteran Jimmy von Thron.
Princeton doesn't lack options at the rush linebacker spot, but it also doesn't know who — or what combination — will fill the void left by Ray and Mitchell. Junior Marcus Stroud will likely get the first look; the coaching staff has moved him around in his first two years, and it feels like this could be the spot to maximize his skills. Sophomores Birk Olson and Matthew Skowron are also in the mix here, though there is a strong group of freshmen who will fight for time.
Senior Luke Merrell has been a consistent reserve throughout his career, and he will back up Zeuli inside.
A FEW NUMBERS TO KNOW …
120 • The number of tackles for Mike Zeuli in his career. No other current Princeton defensive player has more than 90 in their career.
6 • Combined tackles for loss in the careers of both Jason Ray and Elijah Mitchell before the 2013 season. They combined for 17.5 in 10 games last season. This is a position where you can make an immediate impact with limited experience.
89.3 • Opponent's conversion percentage inside the red zone, the lowest mark in the Ivy League. Red zone defense has been a point of emphasis for Princeton this preseason.