Tyler Elsdon details battle for Penn State's middle linebacker job
Whenever linebacker Tyler Elsdon finds himself needing a reminder of what’s expected of him at Penn State, there’s a long list of names he can punch into the YouTube search bar.
Paul Posluszny. Sean Lee. LaVar Arrington. With Dan Connor now a member of Penn State’s staff, the Nittany Lions’ tradition at linebacker is never too far away.
“It really drives me to be a perfectionist,” Elsdon said. “Even though perfect isn’t a thing, it makes me want to be damn close.”
Elsdon, entering his third season on campus, finds himself battling with second-year LB Kobe King for the starting job at Mike linebacker.
New Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is in no rush to find a resolution.
“I anticipate this being a battle, a competition where both guys are getting better through the spring,” he said. “They’ll improve in the summertime when we can’t be around them. And it’ll go on into training camp.
“I have been encouraged from what I’ve seen since we started spring practice.”
Speaking about the competition last week, Diaz highlighted the need for Penn State’s Mike linebacker to act as an organizer of sorts for the defense. He feels Elsdon has handled that role well so far, despite the fact that he’s yet to cross the 100-snap threshold at the collegiate level.
More on Elsdon, Penn State’s MLB battle
Elsdon attributed his quick learning to his relationship with Ellis Brooks and Jesse Luketa, who both have experience acting as the quarterback of the defense.
“Those guys really kind of showed me the ropes, kind of how to be a leader on the field,” he said.
“Being a Mike linebacker, you’ve gotta be vocal. You gotta be like a dominant figure on the field, whether that’s physically, mentally or emotionally. And I’ve embraced that. I love being in a leadership role. I’m trying to grow as a leader.”
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Elsdon called the competition between him and King a healthy one.
He thinks King has noticeably matured since his first season at Penn State.
“You look at him physically, he’s ready,” Elsdon said. “Mentally, he’s ready.
“When you lose other guys in the room, everybody kind of has to step up and I think everybody has. The competition itself is awesome. it keeps me on my toes. It keeps him on his toes and it just drives us to get better.”
The attributes Esldon hopes will win him tfhe job center around his ability to communicate, he says.
“I’m doing my best to be super, super personable, to be a leader and help everyone,” Elsdon said. “…Kobe is the exact same way. I think that’s a special thing about Mike linebacker. The people that are put in that position are usually people that care about the team.
“You got to be passionate, you got to love the game and you got to love the whole process. And me and home both do.”
