LOGAN — Think of a linebacker at Utah State. Who comes to mind?
As far as current Aggies go, David Woodward is probably the answer. Go back a few years and perhaps it is Kyler Fackrell or Nick Vigil. Go back even further and you’d likely say Bobby Wagner.
Al Smith, Hal Garner, Aaron Smith and Steve Maughan could be mentioned, along with Joe Forzani, Ron Sbranti or Veran Smith. Go back probably too far and you could even hear the name LaVell Edwards.
Kevin Meitzenheimer is not a part of that group of arguably the best linebackers in Utah State history.
Not yet, at least.
Meitzenheimer has been one of the Aggies’ best defensive players this season, though, his first in a starting role. Through five games played, Meitzenheimer has totaled 37 tackles — second-most on the team behind Woodward — a tackle for loss, a pass breakup and two forced fumbles.
In Utah State’s loss to LSU, Meitzenheimer was the Aggies’ best player, with 14 tackles and two forced fumbles, a fact head coach Gary Andersen made a point of noting afterward.
“I thought Kevin led the defensive battle through some very difficult times,” Andersen told the Deseret News following Utah State’s 42-6 loss. “The defense didn’t bat an eye. I don’t know how many three-and-outs and first downs (the offense had), but it wasn’t many. When you’re playing LSU, you have to find a way to get some of those. Those guys kept battling; it was great to see.”
The transition from reserve to starter has been nearly seamless for the 6’0”, 230-pound linebacker from Moreno Valley, California, in large part due to what is between his ears.
Per Utah State defensive coordinator Justin Ena, Meitzenheimer is as smart as they come.
“He is our smartest linebacker, for sure,” Ena said. “Kevin has the smarts. He understands formations, sees the little things that help him get to the ball sooner and faster.”
His intelligence at linebacker is one of the main reasons Meitzenheimer is the “quarterback” of the Aggies’ defense, the player who gets the defensive play calls in from the sideline.
It is a role he relishes.
“It is really nice. I would say it’s more fun,” Meitzenheimer said. “I love the pressure. I love getting guys lined up, making sure they are where they need to be and making sure I am where I need to be. Doing my one to 11, making sure everyone has the call and knows what they are doing. Calling out certain things I see from the offense. That is my job, and I love it.”
It is where he differs from Woodward.
Where Woodward is more athletic and plays largely on instinct, Meitzenheimer is more about reading and understanding defensive schemes.
“Kevin may be a step slower than Woody is, but he might be a better zone dropper because he just understands the schemes, the routes crossing behind him,” Ena said. “He has an edge on understanding schemes.”
That isn’t to say Meitzenheimer isn’t an athlete, either.
“He is a very physical kid, too,” said Ena. “When he gets there, he is going to come down and knock the heck out of you.”
For as smart as Meitzenheimer is, he hasn’t always made the best decisions. He was arrested and suspended from the team indefinitely as a redshirt freshman in 2017 for his involvement in the theft of a PlayStation carried out by former teammates Troy Murray and Jaylan Brown.
Meitzenheimer and DayShawn Littleton, who signed a letter of intent to attend Utah State but never officially joined the team, tried to hit a witness with their car and even threatened to return and shoot the person, according to police.
Meitzenheimer was arrested after an assault rifle was found in the car and he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor witness tampering and obstructing justice. He later agreed to pay a fine, write an apology letter, testify against the other defendants if necessary and give up the gun, as reported by the Herald Journal.
Meitzenheimer credits the football player he is today to his learning from that mistake and others, from maturing.
“I mean, the No. 1 thing was maturing, doing the hard things first,” he said. “I learned to make sure I don’t take the easy way out in anything that I do outside of football. When you are doing good outside of football, everything comes when you get on that field.”
As far as the Aggies are concerned, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better person or player than Meitzenheimer.
“Kevin is an amazing kid,” said Ena. “To come from where he has come from, the way he has grown up, he has done a great job of being a good team leader. He’s been through a lot of trials and adversity and has come out a great kid and a great human being. We are lucky to have him.”
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Aggies on the air
Utah State (3-2, 2-0) vs. Nevada (4-2, 1-1)
Maverik Stadium, Logan
Saturday, 8:15 p.m. MDT
TV: ESPNU
Radio: KZNS 1280 AM