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Posted: Aug 04, 2018

Camp Preview: Linebackers

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With the Bryant University football team set to open camp on August 6, BryantBulldogs.com breaks down the Black and Gold position by position.  

Linebackers

Returning: Robert Brown (Palmetto Bay, Fla.), Gbatoh Browne (Providence, R.I.), Thomas Costigan (Stamford, Conn.), Josh Jefferson (Lindenhurst, N.Y.), James LoChirco (Everett, Mass.), Christian Martey (Centreville, Va.), Jesse Nemerowicz (Hudson, Mass.), Richard Ukele (East Longmeadow, Mass.), Jack Agnew (Washington Township, N.J.)

Newcomers: Joe Andreessen (Depew, N.Y.), Jack McNeil (Marshfield, Mass.), Derrius Perryman (Miami, Fla.), Ryan Saddler (Boca Raton, Fla.)

Position Coach: Kevin Kelly

Notes and Notables

  • Bryant lists 13 linebackers on its roster heading into August camp. Of the 13, nine are returning.
  • The linebacker position should be one of Bryant's most experienced positions heading into the season as the top five all return from last year.
  • In total, the Bulldogs welcome back 141 games of experience at the linebacker position.
  • Costigan highlights the group. The 2017 NEC and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, Costigan was named a STATS FCS Preseason All-American and is one of 25 players on the initial Buck Buchanan Award watch list, given to the best defensive player in the FCS.
  • Costigan made 103 tackles and added 11.5 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss last season.
  • Nemerowicz is another key returner for the Bulldogs. He missed the first five games of 2017 but still finished second on the team with 61 tackles (10.2 pg). Nemerowicz has 152 tackles in his first two seasons.
  • The quartet of Brown, Jefferson, Martey and Ukele came on strong for the Black and Gold last year.
  • Brown made 39 tackles and posted an interception, Jefferson was a stalwart on special teams, Martey had 47 tackles and Ukele posted 51 tackles, including a program-record tying 17 in the first game of 2017.
  • Andreessen was the Western New York Defensive Player of the Year, while McNeil, Perryman and Sadler were all standouts in high school.

Fun Fact

  • Costigan has posted 138 tackles (9.9 per game), 15 sacks, 25 tackles for a loss and forced seven fumbles over his last 14 games dating back to 2016.

The Bryant University football team begins its 20th season on September 1 vs. New Haven. Tickets are available at BryantBulldogs.com/Tickets.

Follow Bryant University football on Twitter and Instagram to get an inside look at the program.