Towson University football head coach Gordy Combs calls John Webb the key to the Tigers? defense. But Webb isn?t sure what to call himself.
“Outside linebacker/[defensive] end/whatever they need me to do,” the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Webb said. “I?m the utilityman, I guess you could call it.”
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And he?s playing nose guard in the dime defense. “I guess they?re using my strengths: my pass-rushing speed and that I can play linebacker, too,” said Webb, who recorded 69 tackles and four sacks as a sophomore.
Other teams are forced to adjust to Webb?s versatility. As a freshman, he played a rover position, which was essentially a safety/linebacker hybrid. Now he is the key to a versatile defense that will feature a 3-4 and 4-3 look.
“He?s the real deal,” Combs said. “He can play safety. He can play defensive line.”
His skill set can be a severe pain for an opposing quarterback.
“I think that?s the thing I notice the most. They have him in so many spots on the field,” said Towson sophomore quarterback Sean Schaefer. “He?s always all around the field. It?s definitely a challenge.”
While Webb himself poses a challenge for opposing coordinators and quarterbacks, he is accepting the challenge of being the Tigers? key defender.
“I?d definitely take on that role. I just go out there and have fun,” Webb said. “Whatever I can do to help the team, or whatever the team needs me to do, is what I?m going to do.”
With team-first players like Webb, it is understandable why the Tigers have such an optimistic outlook on the team?s third season in the Atlantic-10 Conference.
