Eagles football possesses strong depth at linebacker in 2025

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 
There has been a big challenge for the Grain Valley football team this summer.
 
During organized team activities and camps, the Eagles have had to rotate seven varsity quality linebackers in and out of scrimmages and drills and find ways to get them all valuable reps during the summer.
 
That is a good problem to have according to head coach David Allie and senior Hunter Nally as seven linebackers with varsity experience returning to the team in 2025.
 
The Eagles lost Aiden Woodroome and Toby Inman, who led the linebacker group last season, to graduation, but will have one of thrift most experienced, deepest linebacker corps in recent history.
 
“This is the largest linebacker group that we have had in years,” Nally said. “We are having trouble getting reps for everybody because we have so many linebackers. We have a lot of guys who can get playing time on Friday.”
 
Added senior Lucas Jurgenesmeyer: “When we have a varsity group in there, we have another group that is ready to go in. We are trying to find out who fits in each spot. It’s a good problem to have because we have so many good linebackers. You are used to the four varsity linebackers, but when you have seven, you have to find ways to incorporate everyone. It generates interesting practice conversation.”
 
The group will be led by Nally, who was a returning All-Suburban White Conference team selection last season and he will likely take Inman’s spot as the starting middle linebacker. Jurgensmeyer, who missed some games last season due to an injury, will likely start at one of the outside linebacker spots.
 
Others returning with varsity experience include middle linebackers Jaxon Lopez, Brayden Bobzien and TImmy Harris; and outside linebackers Brett Boyle and Alby Negrete.
 
“We have quite a few guys there are hungry because they didn’t get as many reps last year,” Grain Valley head football coach David Allie said. “They are all seniors. Those guys have been around and they know what it takes to have success.”
 
Like the offensive line, the linebacker group doesn’t have a lot of size, but it makes up for it with intelligence and a high-level knowledge of defensive coach Matt Curts schemes.
 
“They are not going to standout on the roster with their height and their weight, but these guys are really smart,” Allie said. “Their entire class has a really good GPA.
 
These guys are really smart and that intelligence is going to help them play a lot bigger than what their actual stature is. Intelligence is going to be one of their main strengths and they are putting a lot of time into making themselves better.”
 
Nally noted that the chemistry should be strong as they have been playing together for a long time and have a strong bond.
 
“One of our biggest strengths will be our mindsets and our communication,” Nally said. “We have a group of people that hang out not only on the field but off of it. We have a good relationship and we all get along pretty well. We communicate quite a bit. When we go out on the field, there is a guy next to you that you know you can trust.”
 
And that group will look to continue its success from last season. The Grain Valley defense held opponents to just 15.5 points last season.
 
“We went out and had a great year last year,” Jurgensmeyer said. “We have a lot of guys who are experienced at that level. As a whole group, it’s our job to excel. We are filling in some big shoes from last year. We are happy to accept that challenge.

Grain Valley seniors Lucas Jurgensmeyer, left, and Hunter Nally are two of seven varsity linebackers that should see time on the field on defense for the Grain Valley football team. Photo credit: Michael Smith