Frontier Preview: Frontier loaded with linebackers

For the better part of three seasons, Carroll College linebacker Sean Blomquist was a tackling machine in the Frontier Conference. And for at least the last two, he was the best linebacker in NAIA football.

So, the big question is how does Carroll replace the two-time Frontier Defensive Player of the Year? And how does the rest of the Frontier fair at the linebacker position?

Well, there might already be answers to both questions.

Though the loss of Blomquist is a massive one for the Fighting Saints, who have had 50-plus All-Conference linebackers over the last 17 seasons, there's no shortage of good ones still on the roster. And, at least one of them, senior Shayne Durbin (6-1, 232), is really, really good.

Durbin had a breakout 2014 season for the Saints, in which the former Lewistown Golden Eagle racked up 66 tackles to go with one interception. He earned First-Team All-Conference honors for his efforts. And alongside Durbin is fellow senior Dawson Osborne (6-3, 235). A starter a year ago, Osborne had 65 stops and an INT, and though Blomquist will be sorely missed, Carroll still has some of the best linebackers in the league.

However, as good as Durbin and Osborne are, the best linebacker in the Frontier resides at Montana Tech. Senior David Meis (6-3, 225) was a Second-Team All-American a year ago. He's now a three-year starter and a two-time All-Conference performer. He was right alongside Durbin on the First Team last season after he tallied 85 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. If that production continues, the Orediggers of head coach Chuck Morrell could have a Frontier Defensive Player of the Year on their hands at the end of the season.

Linebacker has always been a strong position at Montana State University-Northern, and the Lights have an anchor at that position again this season. Junior Tucker Dunn (6-1, 225) was a top transfer a season ago and he stepped right into Northern's 4-3 defense and produced. Dunn totaled 61 tackles, which was fourth on the Lights' roster a year ago, while also recording seven tackles for loss.

Dunn missed all of spring ball with an injury, but he's healthy again now and ready to lead the linebacking corps on what could be a stingy MSU-N defense this fall.

Overall, the loss of Blomquist, a two-time NAIA All-American, can't overshadow the fact that the Frontier has some of the best linebackers in the country this season.

The likes of Meis, Durbin and Dunn are all exciting, but other teams have stars, too.

UM-Western head coach B.J. Robertson certainly has two of the best in the league in seniors A.J. Wilson (6-1, 240) and Joe Coker (6-0, 215). Both entering their fourth year of starting for the Bulldogs, both players earned All-Conference honors a season ago. Wilson racked up 66 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Western defense, while Coker had an impressive 72 stops and 7.5 tackles for loss. Both are Montana prep products and, with plenty of talent around, the Western defense could be very stout this season. Eastern Oregon's J.T. Capers (5-11, 200) is another one to watch this season.

Other teams around the league, like Southern Oregon, which lost First-Team All-Conference linebacker Laurence Calcagno, and Rocky Mountain College, which has had some of the best linebackers in the league in recent years, may have growing pains this fall, but with the aforementioned talent, once again, the Frontier Conference will produce some of the very best linebackers in all of NAIA football.

Editor's Note: This is the sixth installment in the Havre Daily News' series on the top returning players in the Frontier Conference. For a look at the top defensive backs and special team's players in the league, see Friday's HDN.