Linebacker Preview: Watson, Kenney ready to lead Bulldogs
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The return of four-year starters Marquise Watson (Hillside, N.J.) and Patrick Kenney (Camarillo, Calif.) gives the Bryant University football team one of the top linebacker corps in the Northeast Conference this fall.
The Bryant University football team kicks off its 2016 season on Saturday, September 3 against Merrimack at Bulldog Stadium. Leading up to opening day, BryantBulldogs.com will take a position-by-position look at the Bulldogs.
Not listed on Bryant's initial recruit release in the spring of 2013, Watson and Kenney have combined to miss just one game over the last three years, serving as the backbone of the Bulldogs' defense. The duo has the chance to go down as two of best linebackers in program history, entering their senior seasons with 203 tackles and 198 tackles, respectively. Both Watson and Kenney, however, see that this could be a special year for the group.
"We are faster than we ever been at the position since I've been here," Watson said. "We are stronger and we can run. We have two four-year starters and a bunch who played a lot of football and that experience will make a difference because we have played in big games for the last three years."
"I'm very optimistic about this group of linebackers because we do have some younger players, but I think we have a very talented group of guys," Kenney said. "This group has the capability to make a lot of plays especially as the season progresses and we gain more confidence and game experience."
Last season, Watson appeared in all but one game, posting 71 tackles, 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for a loss. He enters his final season needing just 46 tackles to tie Jason Riffe for the most stops in program history. In addition to his duties at linebacker, Watson will also serve time as a lineman this season.
Kenney has appeared in all 34 games since he stepped foot onto campus in 2013 and is coming of his most productive year yet. He earned Second Team All-NEC honors after leading the Bulldogs with 85 tackles. Kenney, who also added two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception, played his best football of the year over the last four games of 2015, posting 10+ tackles in three of the final four games.
The Bulldogs will surround the dynamic duo with a heavy dose of underclassmen. Juniors Connor Russ (Middletown, R.I.) and Jake Wiswall (Great River, N.Y.) will be the eldest of a unit that will include sophomores Thomas Costigan (Stamford, Conn.), Josh Jefferson (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) and Richard Ukelegharanya (East Longmeadow, Mass.), and freshman Jesse Nemerowicz (Hudson, Mass.). Costigan had a stellar rookie season, posting 15 tackles, three sacks, five tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles. Russ saw time mainly on special teams, while Jefferson and Ukelegharanya didn't appear as rookies last season. Nemerowicz was a standout at Hudson High in Massachusetts, earning both offensive and defensive player of the year honors during his career.