WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University football team is past the halfway point of its preseason camp, working hard to prepare for the 2019 season. As the Hoyas get ready for the season opener at Davidson on Aug. 31, GUHoyas.com will take an in-depth look at each of the team's position groups, with this edition featuring the linebackers.
The linebacker corps is led by a quartet of juniors who played the majority of the snaps in 2018.
Wes Bowers (Fort Washington, Md. / Bishop McNamara) led the entire defense last season with 91 tackles and four interceptions, earning All-Patriot League Second Team honors. He also added 8.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks.
Xavier Reddick (Powder Springs, Ga. / McEachern) was third on the team with 68 tackles and second with 10.5 TFL. He added two interceptions and 3.0 sacks, helping lead the Hoyas to be among the national leaders in each category.
Owen Kessler (Westfield, N.J. / Westfield) was a force getting into the backfield, ranking second on the team with 6.5 sacks while also adding 8.5 TFL and 48 tackles to rank third and fifth, respectively, on the defense. A conversion from the defensive line, Kessler was also named to the All-Patriot League Second Team last year. Fellow junior
George Ikott (Sugar Land, Texas / Strake Jesuit) appeared in all 11 games in 2018, registering 38 tackles, 7.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks.
"The junior class is looking great.
Wes Bowers is stepping into his leadership role with the No. 35 jersey and taking the young linebackers under his wing. He does a great job communicating on the field and making sure everyone is on the same page.
Xavier Reddick has done a great job throughout the spring and the fall, both on the field and in the weight room. He's really taken it upon himself to watch a lot of film and get better at his craft and it's showing up on the field.
Owen Kessler is going to be a great hybrid again for us between linebacker and the defensive line. He has been starting for us for a couple of years and is learning the coverage aspect of the position and perfecting his craft as the weak-side linebacker.
George Ikott is a player for us who has done a great job playing multiple positions for us and having a ton of versatility. He's going to be an exciting player and have the ability to be impactful in multiple areas."
The Hoyas have plenty of depth at linebacker, highlighted by a trio of sophomores.
Justin Fonteneaux (Houston, Texas / Lamar) appeared in nine games as a freshman in 2018, recording 10 tackles and recovering a fumble. His classmate
Palmer Nix (Heath, Texas / Dallas Christian School) played in all 11 games and finished with four tackles. Additionally, sophomore
David Owens (Charlotte, N.C. / Ardrey Kell) is converting from the defensive line after appearing in three games last year with three tackles.
"I have really been impressed with
Justin Fonteneaux and
Palmer Nix. They are stepping up into a bigger role and doing a better job of dissecting the defense and absorb and understand it a lot better. You can tell that they are feeling more comfortable on the field and starting to play more decisive and aggressive. They have been playing great and it is great to have some depth there.
David Owens has done a great job in transitioning from the defensive line. He's been learning the position and going through his reads. He is going to be an exciting player and has a great ability off the edge and is developing nicely as a cover guy as well."
Georgetown added three freshmen to the roster who will all look to make an impact in their first season on the Hilltop. Williams Horne (Franklin, Tenn. / Christ Presbyterian Academy),
Michael Hussey (Media, Pa. / Malvern Preparatory School) and
Jonathan Saddler (Norwalk, Conn. / New Rochelle / Choate Rosemary Hall) will all fight for playing time on both defense and special teams.
"They have been doing a great job. It's tough to have a new defense and learn it real quick while competing with some of the older guys who have experience with our playbook. They give a ton of effort, which is great, and they're very coachable. I can expect them to give it all on each and every play."
Georgetown will travel to Davidson on Aug. 31 for the season opener before hosting Marist in the home opener on Sept. 7. Tickets for GU's five home games in 2019 are now on sale. To purchase tickets, and for more information, please visit WeAreGeorgetown.com/football.
