University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Position Preview: UNC Linebackers
8/25/2023 8:00:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. --Â The University of Northern Colorado football team is busy preparing for the 2023 campaign. Over the next two weeks, the UNC position groups will be featured.
Â
Linebackers
Â
#2 – Jordan Knapke, 6-3, 210, R-Jr., Aurora, Colo.
#3 – Vincent King, 6-0, 236, R-Jr., Denver, Colo.
#6 – Keyvon Lakes, 6-2, 235, R-Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.
#11 – Sione Tuha, 6-2, 225, R-Fr., Provo, Utah
#12 – Keenan Guthrie, 6-3, 226, R-So., San Diego, Calif.
#16 – Ezra Ekuban, 6-2, 222, R-Jr., Parker, Colo.
#32 – Jordan Davis, 6-0, 210, R-Fr., Aurora, Colo.
#36 – Payton Polson, 6-0, 215, Jr., Highlands Ranch, Colo.
#40 – Kanaan Turnbull, 6-4, 250, R-Jr., Loveland, Colo.
#41 – Zach Nowatzke, 6-3, 240, R-Jr., St. George, Utah
#45 – Tama Tuitele, 6-0, 245, R-Jr., Aurora, Colo.
#47 – Tofa Wilson, 6-1, 225, R-So., Las Vegas, Nev.
#56 – Jacob Stanton, 6-1, 235, R-Sr., Thornton, Colo.
Â
Fast. Tough. Disciplined.
Â
Those are key attributes that stand out for James Pazak's linebacker group.
Â
"This is going to sound very vanilla, but they come to practice each and every day and compete," Pazak said. "They have bought into the program and Coach Lamb's philosophy of how to act on the football field, in the classroom, and in the community."
Â
Jordan Knapke, who was a preseason All-Big Sky selection at defensive back and recorded 90 tackles in 2022, transitioned to linebacker and has made significant strides.
Â
"Jordan is a tough kid and he's really bought into the position change. He's a very physical player and doesn't shy away from contact. He continues to get better with each practice."
Â
Last season, Vincent King and Tama Tuitele found the ball carrier on a consistent basis. King finished with 66 tackles, 33 solo, and 33 assisted. He also added two sacks. Tuitele added 60 tackles, 32 solo and 28 assisted to go along with four tackles for loss.
Â
Keyvon Lakes, Payton Polson, Jacob Stanton, and Keenan Guthrie all earned significant playing time in 2022.
Â
"We have a talented group that played a lot of football last season," Pazak said. "They have molded well together with the newcomers, and this is such a great position group to coach."
Tickets on Sale
Â
UNC football season and single-game tickets are on sale. The Bears play a challenging home schedule with five teams that qualified for the 2022 playoffs and host preseason top 10 Incarnate Word on September 9.
Â
Tickets can be purchased at uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849.
Â
Â
Linebackers
Â
#2 – Jordan Knapke, 6-3, 210, R-Jr., Aurora, Colo.
#3 – Vincent King, 6-0, 236, R-Jr., Denver, Colo.
#6 – Keyvon Lakes, 6-2, 235, R-Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.
#11 – Sione Tuha, 6-2, 225, R-Fr., Provo, Utah
#12 – Keenan Guthrie, 6-3, 226, R-So., San Diego, Calif.
#16 – Ezra Ekuban, 6-2, 222, R-Jr., Parker, Colo.
#32 – Jordan Davis, 6-0, 210, R-Fr., Aurora, Colo.
#36 – Payton Polson, 6-0, 215, Jr., Highlands Ranch, Colo.
#40 – Kanaan Turnbull, 6-4, 250, R-Jr., Loveland, Colo.
#41 – Zach Nowatzke, 6-3, 240, R-Jr., St. George, Utah
#45 – Tama Tuitele, 6-0, 245, R-Jr., Aurora, Colo.
#47 – Tofa Wilson, 6-1, 225, R-So., Las Vegas, Nev.
#56 – Jacob Stanton, 6-1, 235, R-Sr., Thornton, Colo.
Â
Fast. Tough. Disciplined.
Â
Those are key attributes that stand out for James Pazak's linebacker group.
Â
"This is going to sound very vanilla, but they come to practice each and every day and compete," Pazak said. "They have bought into the program and Coach Lamb's philosophy of how to act on the football field, in the classroom, and in the community."
Â
Jordan Knapke, who was a preseason All-Big Sky selection at defensive back and recorded 90 tackles in 2022, transitioned to linebacker and has made significant strides.
Â
"Jordan is a tough kid and he's really bought into the position change. He's a very physical player and doesn't shy away from contact. He continues to get better with each practice."
Â
Last season, Vincent King and Tama Tuitele found the ball carrier on a consistent basis. King finished with 66 tackles, 33 solo, and 33 assisted. He also added two sacks. Tuitele added 60 tackles, 32 solo and 28 assisted to go along with four tackles for loss.
Â
Keyvon Lakes, Payton Polson, Jacob Stanton, and Keenan Guthrie all earned significant playing time in 2022.
Â
"We have a talented group that played a lot of football last season," Pazak said. "They have molded well together with the newcomers, and this is such a great position group to coach."
Tickets on Sale
Â
UNC football season and single-game tickets are on sale. The Bears play a challenging home schedule with five teams that qualified for the 2022 playoffs and host preseason top 10 Incarnate Word on September 9.
Â
Tickets can be purchased at uncbears.com/tickets or call 970-351-4849.
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballDL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballTuesday, December 23
Tuesday, December 23
Tuesday, December 23
Tuesday, December 23
