Leduc’s Dublanko’s second swap works wonders for UND

Despite being recruited as a linebacker out of Leduc Composite High School in Thorsby, Alberta, and playing the position the next two seasons at UND, Curtis Dublanko began the 2008 season at fullback.

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As the year progressed, however, the Sioux found themselves thin at linebacker.
“The defensive staff initiated the conversation (to switch Dublanko back to linebacker),” UND inside linebackers coach Josh Kotelnicki said. “It was just a case of needing to add some depth.”
What may have seemed like a small conversion at the time is starting to pay big dividends for the Sioux.
After registering eight tackles as a freshman and just three as a sophomore, Dublanko had a breakout season last year.
The 6-foot 237-pounder won over a starting job four weeks into the season and never looked back. He led the Sioux in solo tackles with 47 and ended the season with back-to-back 10-tackle games against UC Davis and Central Arkansas in the last two games of the year.
Following the season, Dublanko was named UND’s Most Valuable Defensive Player and Most Valuable Linebacker.
Then in May, Dublanko was selected in the second round (15th overall) in the Canadian Football League draft by the Montreal Alouettes.
Not bad recognition for a player who was almost a fullback.
“He made his first start against South Dakota last year and has been great ever since,” Kotelnicki said. “He’s football smart. He has good instincts, reads keys well, he’s physical . . . He has all the tools you hope for in a linebacker.”
Kotelnicki also said Dublanko, an accounting major who got married this summer, is an ideal student-athlete.
“He’s the kind of kid you see studying after an away game on a plane at midnight,” Kotelnicki said.
Dublanko said the switch back to linebacker wasn’t difficult.
“I liked playing linebacker better anyway,” Dublanko said. “I do think (playing fullback) helped me understand what an offense is trying to do.”
Battles for backup spots
Dublanko’s reps in fall practice have been limited as the Sioux coaches are testing a battle for the backup position at inside linebacker.
Inside linebackers Dublanko, Paul German and Dan Hendrickson have all seen extensive playing time for UND, but Kotelnicki said the Sioux are in search of a fourth player to round out the rotation.
The battle for the fourth spot is between sophomore Mitch Goertz and redshirt freshmen Garrison Goodman and Brian Otto.
Dublanko said he’s been impressed by the youngsters.
“I think (outside linebacker) Dominique Bennett and Garrison Goodman can play and contribute right away,” Dublanko said. “I definitely think linebacker is going to be a strength of our defense. We have experience at all four positions.”
Kotelnicki also added the Sioux are pleased with a pair of incoming freshmen at inside linebacker — Ben Peters and Joey Walker. Both players will redshirt.
“Those are two kids that came in ranked pretty high on our board,” Kotelnicki said. “They’ve done a great job coming here and fitting in.”
Redshirt freshmen will also get a chance to back up a pair of experienced starters at the outside linebacker position, as well.
Great West all-conference first team linebacker Ryan Kasowski and Ross Cochran — both seniors — are the starting outside linebackers.
But redshirt freshmen Cordero Finley, Bennett and Damon Andrews will all challenge for playing time.
The Sioux depth chart for Idaho has Andrews backing up Cochran, while Bennett is behind Kasowski.