Last year Brad Seiss sometimes got lost in the revolving door that was Ball State's tailback position. If he gets lost nowadays, it's probably because the third-year sophomore didn't hit the right gap on defense.
With 2003 starting outside linebackers, Lorenzo Scott and Justin Riley, as well as two backups, graduated or leaving, the Cardinals needed some experienced bodies at that position. The coaches are hoping they have solved that problem by moving Seiss and redshirt freshman Mike Dorulla, a former safety, to weakside linebacker. They are the top competitors for the starting spot there.
"We thought that linebacker, with Lorenzo leaving and Justin Riley, we lose some pretty good football players," head coach Brady Hoke said. "Brad was a very good linebacker in high school. (With) his athletic ability, his love for the game and how he plays, I thought it would be a great move for him. So far, it's been a good move for him and a good move for us."
If Seiss is indeed the starter when Ball State opens the 2004 season September 2, he'll be filling the shoes of a four-year starter (Scott) who racked up 138 tackles, including 19 for loss.
"(The coaches) wouldn't move me if they didn't have confidence," the 6-foot, 221-pound Seiss said. "By them saying they want me to play linebacker, I trust they thought I had the ability and would play more than I played at running back, otherwise they wouldn't have made the switch."
Although Hoke asked Seiss about the move before Spring Semester, the second-year coach had thought about the possibility during the season. Seiss said he was not surprised by the proposition.
"I kind of had the feeling coming in," he said, "because we lost a lot of people at the outside linebacker position, that they'd have to make a change with somebody. Coach asked me if I was willing to make the change and I said it was fine with me."
As a tailback in 2003, Seiss carried the ball just 41 times for 143 yards and a touchdown, with a high of 10 tries for 39 yards against Kent State. With senior Scott Blair (604 yards) and junior Charles Wynn (359) again returning, and redshirt freshman Tyrone Simmons emerging, Seiss' prospects for playing time weren't likely to improve.
"The situation with Scott Blair and Charles Wynn competing at the running back position, I think this gives Brad a little more opportunity to play," Hoke said. "He wants to play football. He wants to play as many snaps as he can. Also, Brad's one of those you like to have on your team because he's a team player."
Although Ball State's defensive alignment differs from what Seiss played in high school, it does remind him of those days. Also, having played running back aids Seiss some in defending the run.
"It helps me with the (offensive) lineman," Seiss said. "When you play running back you know the blocking schemes of particular plays. When you see the offensive linemen right off the bat, you know whether it's a run or pass.
"In high school I was doing both sides of the ball, playing linebacker and running the ball. It does bring back some memories, playing defense.
But now, Seiss is trying to remember his newly learned defensive assignments.
"I think it's coming along, but there will be times I'm confused or stuff like that," he said. "Coaches told me I'm going to mess up a lot; the key thing is not be passive. Be aggressive and go after the ball."
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