UBC position by position break down: Shawn Olson quotes

VANCOUVER – The new football regime at UBC is set to launch. Here’s a position-by-position look at what this year’s training camp says about the year to come. Quotes from head coach Shawn Olson.

Quarterback

Key returnee: Billy Greene
Key additions: Carson Williams, Ryley Wright, Liam How, Niko Jacobs

Billy Greene is the clear choice to return as starting quarterback. Greene will have to take a step forward by combining his physical gifts with improved consistency.

“Billy’s got everything you’re looking for in a quarterback,” says Olson. “He just needs to put it together now in game situations.”

The battle for the back-up spot is less clear. Ryley Wright arrives with NCAA Div. II experience, but 18-year-old Carson Williams has shown a ton of potential in camp.

“Carson has been off the charts good,” says Olson. “We gave him some reps with our gold unit and since then he’s been making good decisions and throwing the ball well. He’s really pushing for the back-up spot. Ideally, I wouldn’t have an 18-year-old as our back-up, but every day we preach that we judge what we see, and in that case he’s the front runner for the back-up at this point.”

Offensive Line

Key returnees: Cody Husband, Kelly Kirisu
Key losses: Oamo Culbreath (CFL), Mike Morris (graduation)
Key additions: Curtis Vizza

Veteran Cody Husband will be the pivotal figure on UBC’s O-line in 2010. The last cut for the 2010 Hamilton Tiger-Cats brings his experience and considerable talent to the field.

Continually improving second-year Kelly Kirisu will be another familiar presence down front, while Vancouver Island Raider Curtis Vizza looks to figure prominently into the offensive line as well.

“As a unit they’ve been doing very well,” says Olson. “We’re about ten players deep there with guys who can play. It’s just a matter of who those best five are going to be.”

Receiver

Key returnees: Jordan Grieve, Marc McVeigh, Spencer Betts
Key losses: Brent Borthistle (injury), Nate D’Arcy (graduation)
Key additions: Mitch Shuster, Victor Marshall

The Thunderbirds look to improve on a passing game that struggled in 2009. The steady improvement of returnees like Marc McVeigh and Spencer Betts will be a key part of the turnaround as will be the play of 2009 breakout Jordan Grieve who led the team with 493 receiving yards. SFU transfer Victor Marshall, a 2009 CW all-star, should also figure into the mix prominently.

“Receiver is a spot I thought we needed a little bit of work,” says Olson. “To the credit of the returning guys, they’ve worked very hard and have shown marked improvement. It’s going to be a position that has some tough decisions.”

“There’s a lot of optimism and a lot of confidence among our receivers,” Olson continues. “In particular, I’m expecting a guy like Marc McVeigh to have a breakout year.”

Running Back

Key returnee: Dave Boyd
Key losses: Cheng Wei (graduation)
Key additions: Justin Andrushko, Brandon Deschamps

Canada West all-star Dave Boyd, who finished second in the conference with 782 yards rushing last season, will be the T-Birds no. 1 man but he should have some help from a highly touted newcomer.

“Justin Andrushko is a guy that’s going to split some reps with Dave throughout the year. He’s stood out as a number two. He brings a different element. He’s a speed back and can get to the outside and make some big plays,” says Olson.

“The plan is to be better on offence. So maybe Dave doesn’t touch the ball every single time, but his numbers will actually increase. That’s the goal. If we can sustain more drives and make bigger plays, then everyone’s numbers go up.”

Defensive Line

Key returnees: Serge Kaminsky, James Haddad, Brent Knull
Key additions: Josh Williams, Shawn Kalkut

The defensive line is shaping up solidly, with a handful of returning players making huge strides. This area will be key to any T-Bird improvement as they finished last in the conference last season in rushing yards allowed at 225 per game. Serge Kaminsky, in particular, has won the admiration of his head coach.

“Serge has had an outstanding camp,” reports Olson. “He has really transformed his approach to football. He’s done some alternative training in the off-season and become much more fluid.”

Olson also expects good things from new recruit Josh Williams.

“Josh has made a very big impact,” says Olson. “He’s brought a bit of an attitude to the defence. He’s brought some leadership, he’s brought some intensity, and I’m hoping he’ll bring that know-how-to-win attitude. He’s going to be a big part of our defence no matter what.”

Linebacker

Key returnees: Devin Kavanagh, Nathan Kanya, Andy Algar
Key additions: Mark Bailey, Justin Carpenter, Ian Finlayson, Alex Babalos

This year’s linebacker unit is brimming with promise. Veteran captain Devin Kavanagh gets better by the game, and the ultra-talented Nathan Kanya returns after a 2009 season abbreviated by injury. Second-year Andy Algar, who was thrust into the starting line-up last season as a rookie, finished second on the team in tackles and should continue to grow.

Standout safety Alex Babalos, who led the CW with 65 tackles in 2009, joins the linebackers on the strongside in 2009, having been converted to the hybrid “Sam” position.

“We’re in a good position at linebacker,” says Olson. “Devin has stood out from start to finish. He has really emerged as a leader. He’s been everything I could hope for from a linebacker.

“Babalos is exactly what we thought he’d be at the Sam position,” continues Olson. “Sam is a tough position to find. You have to be good against the pass and the run. We’re expecting Babalos to have a very big year. “

Secondary

Key returnees: Sam Carino, Lance Milton, Chris Mark, Jeff Burt, Mike Hansen
Key losses: Tyler Codron (graduation), Alex Babalos (to linebackers)
Key additions: Levar Hayden, Farhad Abi

UBC’s pass coverage was stingy in 2009, holding opposing offences to an average of 182.9 yards per game. Olson expects similar output in 2010. Cornerback Sam Carino was a 2009 CW all-star.

“Secondary going in was our strongest position,” says Olson. “It was the strength of the team last year and most of those guys have returned.”

“We’re about seven or eight deep there,” boasts Olson, “but Sam Carino is the guy I’m looking to have a bigger season than he’s had the last two or so. Hopefully, he’ll be the anchor. And I think Levar Hayden, as a first year guy, will bring some swagger. And Lance Milton is another one of those three guys leading the way.”

Special Teams

Part of the new philosophy that Shawn Olson brings to UBC football is an emphasis on special teams. Olson plans on having many of his top players returning, blocking, and covering.

“We’re starting from scratch on special teams,” says Olson. “We’re trying to be simple, but give our guys confidence that the scheme is solid and intelligent, and something they can execute. And then we just bring in athletes and let them be athletes.”

Olson is pleased with the development of second-year kicker Billy Pavlopoulos, and heads into the season confident in the kicker’s forward progress.

“Billy has been outstanding to date,” says Olson. “He’s done a lot of work in the off-season and you can tell. He wasn’t happy with his season last year and he’s taken it to heart. He’s been very consistent on field goals and punting well. I’m expecting him I’m expecting him to have a breakout year.”