PROVO — BYU linebacker Bryan Kehl has a message — or maybe it's a warning — for opposing quarterbacks this season.
When those QBs take a snap against the Cougar defense, they would be wise to watch out for BYU's bookends at outside linebacker — Kehl and David Nixon.
"You can't get around us; you can't get by us," Kehl said. "The quarterback better be looking out for us, because we're coming."
Kehl and Nixon are proven playmakers who give the Cougars a formidable one-two punch within the heart of their 3-4 defensive alignment.
"They're a blend of size, speed, and they're great young men in terms of being responsible and assignment-sound," said coach Bronco Mendenhall. "They just have a knack for making plays. When the defense has those two players on either edge, it's difficult to get around us. They're excellent in coverage. They're really the most athletic players in our front."
BYU's defense is counting on Kehl and Nixon to wreak havoc on opposing teams.
Kehl, a senior and team captain, was a 2006 honorable mention all-Mountain West Conference selection and a preseason all-MWC pick. He was No. 3 on the team last season in tackles, with 70, and also recorded three sacks.
"Personally, I don't feel there's another team we'll face, or around the country, that has an outside linebacker that's going to outhustle me," Kehl said.
Nixon, a junior, racked up 62 tackles a year ago, including three sacks. He executed the defensive play of the year for the Cougars in the win over nationally ranked TCU. With BYU clinging to a 3-0 lead in the second quarter, the Horned Frogs marched inside the Cougar 20. Nixon burst into the backfield and blindsided quarterback Jeff Ballard, forcing a fumble that BYU recovered. The Cougars capitalized on that turnover by scoring on an 82-yard drive that gave them a 10-0 advantage before going on to a 31-17 victory.
While Kehl and Nixon draw much of the attention, the other linebackers — senior Kelly Poppinga, sophomore Matt Bauman, sophomore Shawn Doman, senior Markell Staffieri, sophomore Terrance Hooks and senior Chris Bolden — are all expected to make big contributions.
"We feel pretty good about them," said linebackers coach Paul Tidwell. "They should all play this year, and hopefully they'll all stay healthy. I think we have good speed and we're quick. We're not real heavy and big, but we're quick. They're tough. They better be. They're linebackers."
"Linebacker is still our strength," Mendenhall said. "It is still the most athletic position and still the deepest position on the defense."
How good can this collection of 'backers be?
"The sky's the limit. We have athletic, talented, dedicated people at every position," Kehl said. "It's up to us to step up and do our part off the field, in the weight room, in the film room, in the practice field so we're ready when we get on the field on Saturdays. We have to have our minds right, and be ready with solid execution and outhustle-everybody defense. It's going to be another magical year."
Poppinga, who, like Kehl, was voted a team captain for 2007, is taking over the middle linebacker spot vacated by last year's team captain, and all-MWC selection, Cameron Jensen.
"He has all the potential in the world. He's going to light it up there," Kehl said. "He's going to surprise a lot of people."
"Kelly's been a real pleasant surprise moving from the outside to the inside," Tidwell said. "He adds leadership and quickness. He's very good in the pass game."
Kehl believes this year's defense can be better than last season.
"That goes in line with the 'raise the bar' theme," he said. "Last year we gave up 14 points a game and we wouldn't expect anything other than to give up less than that this year. That means we have to put in more on the field and off the field. We do all those things and we'll see increased success defensively."
On the air
Arizona at BYU
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
LaVell Edwards Stadium
TV: Versus
Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM
Depth chart
SLB
Bryan Kehl, Sr.
Matt Bauman, So.
MLB
Kelly Poppinga, Sr.
Terrance Hooks, So.
BLB
Shawn Doman, So.
Markell Staffieri, Sr.
WLB
David Nixon, Jr.
Chris Bolden, Sr.
E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com