Bryan Longwell Talks Linebacker Depth, Closeness of the Room, and Number Change
Vanderbilt Linebacker Bryan Longwell is poised to be a big part of this Vanderbilt defense looking to improve on a solid 2024 campaign. Vanderbilt finished 52nd in the country in rushing yards/game defensively, surrendering 140.8. For reference, Vanderbilt was sandwiched between LSU and USC. However, the Commodores finished 76th in the country in yards per carry, giving up 4.3.
This defense taking a step forward is going to largely depend on a very talented LB room meshing together and utilizing talent effectively. Longwell was asked if the increased competition has helped the room and pushed him specifically.
“Oh yeah, competition’s like major in that room. I mean, it’s nice because there no guy who couldn’t start somehwere in the SEC, and I believe that wholeheartedly … So having to start above guys who could start other places is always a constant battle. And a lot of the time I like to watch other guys who are maybe better at one thing or another and see how they do it, how they get to their technique and what they do to make them successful at that … It pushes me and improves me a lot.”
The depth of Langston Patterson, Nick Rinaldi, Bryce Cowan, and Prince Kollie alongside Longwell is a formidable group. Longwell was asked if the depth of talent would allow him to exert more effort on each play.
“Yeah, that’s a major thing. I mean, it’s hard to exert yourself every time when you know that you’re going to be out there for like a 14 play drive. But when you know, hey, all I’ve got to do is give all out all effort for three, four, eight plays and then I can get a sub, like that’s a lot better on me.”
With all of the competition, naturally Longwell was asked about his relationship with his fellow Linebackers
“We’re super close, I’d say we’re like the closest room on the team, it’s so fun … I love all those guys, I mean hilarious – Langston’s a clown, but super serious when he gets on the field, but as soon as we’re done he’s like one of the dumbest dudes I know. Love Rinaldi, Bryce is an awesome personality, PK [Prince Kollie], he’s a guy I always go to with stuff.”
Bryan Longwell was also asked about his recent number change from 4 to 11
“Actually, my favorite player growing up was Julio Jones and my brother’s was Larry Fitzgerald. So two number 11s and then my brother went to number 11 in high school … and so now I’m going to number 11 for him and it was also my high school number.”
Bryan Longwell looks noticeably bulked up from last season. If he can maintain his explosiveness and sideline to sideline speed at his increased weight, Longwell can be a breakout player this season. Although, it is hard to call the leading tackler from last year’s team a potential “breakout player”, more from a conference and national perspective.
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