Spring Football Breakdown: App State OLBs

BOONE, N.C. — During spring practice, we're taking a closer look at App State's position groups with input from the Mountaineers' position coaches, many of whom are new to the program and the High Country.

Spring workouts began in mid-February and ended in early March, as they were nearing the conclusion before the final week was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
 
Breakdown: App State's OLBs
 
One position group influenced the most by senior departures is outside linebacker. A notable newcomer, 32-year-old assistant coach Cortney Braswell, will work closely with the outside linebackers.
 
"I'm still waiting for my first check to come in to make sure it's real that I'm not volunteering," Braswell said. "I can't believe how awesome and incredible of an opportunity it is. I'm not a morning person — I hate getting up in the mornings — but since I got the job on Jan. 16, I've woken up before my alarm every single day excited, energetic and ready to come to work.
 
"This just doesn't happen to poor kids from rural Northwest Georgia. To have the opportunity to coach in this program, with all the history and tradition of excellence that they have, it's just a blessing. I'm certainly not the most deserving person, but nobody is going to appreciate it or have more fun than me."
 

"You either got the juice or you don't got it" -Coach Braswell #TraditionToughnessTogether pic.twitter.com/20ZQ6MBtv4

— App State Football (@AppState_FB) March 2, 2020

 
Braswell spent last season as a defensive quality control coach at Louisville, where Dale Jones coached the inside linebackers before returning to Boone as the Mountaineers' defensive coordinator.
 
Akeem Davis-Gaither, a top-100 draft prospect, and Noel Cook, a two-year starter, primarily occupied the two outside spots in App State's 3-4 defense during the historic 13-1 season in 2019.
 
Nick Hampton played frequently last year, amassing 5.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman while excelling as a third-down pass rusher, and Tim Frizzell had a career-high four tackles when he started for an injured Cook at Penn State in the 2018 opener. He'll be a senior in 2020.
 
KeSean Brown and Brendan Harrington, who contributed primarily on special teams as true freshmen last season, are among the leading candidates to operate at the other outside spot.
 
That's three underclassmen of note, with more depth coming from walk-ons such as Jace Frisbee and Tanner Ellenberger, so App State's outside linebackers still have plenty of experience to gain.
 
"One rule that we have is, if somebody makes a mistake, you don't get to go in for that person unless you know what it is they messed up and why they messed it up," Braswell said. "I think it's building a bigger knowledge base, building some accountability in the room and building some brotherhood."
 
Braswell is measuring the outside linebackers' growth not by highlight-reel plays but by sound, disciplined performance. And he said he's seen the number of mistakes decrease steadily since last week's start of spring practice.
 
"Most guys are like, 'How many tackles did I have? How many sacks did I have?' We talk about, 'How many mistakes did I make? Why did I make these mistakes? To me, it's an evaluation," Braswell said. "Nothing gets me more excited. It's not a sack, not an interception, not a pass breakup, not a tackle for loss. What gets me excited is to see the growth from practice to practice."