Zips football: Linebacking corps takes a hit

Linebacker Jamar Williams tore his right anterior cruciate ligament and will be out for the season, coach Terry Bowden said during Thursday morning’s practice.

Williams’ loss is a big blow to a linebacking corps that was thin coming into the season and Williams, a junior, was expected step in and give the Zips consistency at the position.

“He was doing, so well. He was having a great preseason and was doing a great job,” Bowden said. “We have great doctors. At a better age, he will be better than he is now. In the long run it will be better for us, but that’s tough when you have that happen.”

Still, in the here and now, it affects the Zips depth at linebacker, a position that took a big hit when Brian Wagner elected to graduate and leave the program with a year of eligibility left after last season.

Bowden is looking to a upper classman or freshman to come in and fill the newly created voice. In that respect Jatavis Brown, a freshman out of Florida, was an individual he mentioned specifically.

It’s a situation that concerns him, but also one that he’s dealt with before. He’s operating from the assumption that opportunity tends to bring out the best in players.

“Someone will step up,” he said. “ A young freshman or an upperclassman will get an opportunity and someone will step up.”

Zips fans are hoping he’s right.

Cornerback limited

Cornerback Bill Alexander cannot have any contact for 2-6 weeks because of a broken thumb.

Practice changes

Two-a-days in full pads began with Thursday morning’s practice, one that proved intense, but without the punches being thrown. That’s certainly a good thing.