Hey Pipeline, Read the article and you will know what is Sam Fehoko is up to since they have not updated the Ttech website. He will start as a red shirt freshmen or have major playing time for Ttech.
Sika
Going into spring workouts, Victor Hunter's role on the 2008 Red Raiders seemed pretty clear: he would be Brian Duncan's primary backup at middle linebacker, and as such, would get his fair share of snaps when Duncan was winded, banged up, or when special situations required Hunter's unique talents.
Hunter's most memorable play in 2007 came on the goalline against Oklahoma.
But that was before Typhoon Fehoko hit the Caprock.
The redshirt freshman from Hawaii has made more of an impact than was expected, and as a result, the entire linebacker corps is more unsettled. Furthermore, Hunter's role on the defense may have been usurped.
Summer workouts, however, will determine to a large degree just how many snaps Hunter gets in 2008. Summer workouts and the non-conference games, that is.
These testing grounds will either freeze the current lineup in place, or they will necessitate changes. In the case of the former, Hunter would almost certainly be frozen into a third-string position at middle linebacker and would see the field only for mop-up duty. In the case of the latter, Hunter could re-ascend to the second team position and resume his role as an important substitute. The latter scenario deserves some explication.
Fact or Fiction: Victor Hunter will play meaningful snaps in 2008.
In order for a radical reshuffling of personnel at linebacker to occur, two things would have to happen. First, Sam Fehoko would have to continue to improve. So much so that we would be too strong an asset to remain on the bench, even as a second-teamer.
Second, one of the starters at the other two linebacker spots would have to prove deficient. Currently, those starters are Bront Bird at strongside backer, and Marlon Williams at weakside. If one of those players does not pan out, it is possible that Duncan could slide outside, Fehoko could step into the vacated post in the middle, and Hunter could resume the number two spot at MIKE.
What are the odds of all this transpiring? Marginally good at best.
Now Fehoko's emergence is eminently plausible. Likely, even. Fehoko plays the game like a wild animal, and it's only a matter of time before he harnesses his innate ability and becomes a bona fide star. He's smart and recently received Academic All Honors for 2007-2008. And based upon the speed with which he has already made an impact, the guess here is that Fehoko will emerge at some point during his freshman season as a starter.
The more unlikely side of the equation, however, is either Bird or Williams proving unworthy to start. Bird is one of the most intelligent players on the team, and he is adept at using the gray matter to diagnose plays quickly. Bird is especially good at ferreting out passes to the flat, and is fast and athletic enough to get outside and make the play. Indeed, in terms of raw talent, Bird and Fehoko may not be far apart.
Marlon Williams may be more of a question mark, but is still a very competent linebacker. He is a fiery, enthusiastic player with good leadership skills, and he often shows signs of translating his considerably athletic ability to the field.
At this point, consistency is Williams' primary bugaboo. He sometimes plays like a top-shelf Big 12 linebacker, but then disappears for long stretches at a time. The bet here is that Williams gains consistency as he gains experience.
At the end of the day, the lineup of Bird-Duncan-Williams looks like a strong one that probably will not be altered. The "problem" will be what to do with Fehoko. Suffice it to say that defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill will try to get him on the field as often as possible, and at some point he could overtake Duncan for the starting position. In that event, however, Hunter would still be mired on the third team and would continue to sit the vast majority of the time.
Fiction. Third-team status looks to be Victor Hunter's fate for 2008. Therefore, he should not play meaningful snaps this season.
