Editor's note: This is the eighth in a series of 10 features that highlight a group or position of the 2010 Mercyhurst College football team.
Lakers
A hybrid linebacker and defensive back in the Mercyhurst stack scheme, third-year starter
Ian Wild
leads the charge at Laker. He missed the entire spring season with an injury but has committed himself to offseason workouts that have improved his strength and conditioning. A hard-nosed competitor, Wild was an All-PSAC West Second Team selection in 2009 and finished as the team’s second-leading tackler (74 TT, 50 UA). He has made an immediate impact in the secondary since his arrival, finishing among the top four tacklers in each season while providing an exemplary work ethic.
In 2009, Wild started 10 games for the Lakers, missing the Lock Haven contest with a leg injury. He ranked fourth with seven tackles for loss, including a sack, and led team with two forced fumbles. Wild just missed tying his career-high of 14 tackles with a 13-stop effort in a 17-16 loss at Slippery Rock but did post a career-best three tackles for loss in a 27-17 win over rival Gannon. In the classroom, Wild was a CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Second Team All-District II selection.
Red-shirt freshman
Mike Brown follows Wild on the preseason depth chart. He had a solid spring season but his development in fall camp will be critical to his role on the field this fall. Fullback
Blake Morrison could see some time at defensive back, his original position, if needed. Freshmen
Michael Foster and
Danny Starks also add depth to the position.