MINNEAPOLIS — Lamonte Edwards still has that running back mentality. For a linebacker, that can be advantageous.
Edwards, a redshirt sophomore on the University of Minnesota football team, made the switch from running back to linebacker in the middle of his freshman season with the Gophers. The transition was by no means seamless, and Edwards initially missed being able to carry the ball.
But now that he's fully committed to his new position, Edwards says he has no desire to play running back again — although he can still think like one.
"I think I can feel like when a running back needs to cut back," Edwards said.
For Edwards, the position switch came after just three games of his redshirt freshman season at Minnesota, last fall. Stuck low on the depth chart, and with just eight carries for 11 net yards through three non-conference games, it was clear his talents weren't being fully utilized.
So as the Gophers have done with several players during Jerry Kill's brief tenure as head coach, they switched Edwards to the defensive side of the ball. He finished the final nine games at linebacker, making 17 total tackles (six solo) and registered one quarterback hit. A few times, Minnesota even lined him up on the defensive line as a speedy pass rusher.
Playing defense is not exactly a new experience for Edwards, who played on both sides of the ball while starring at Woodbury (Minn.) High School. While he excelled at running back — Edwards earned second-team all-state honors after rushing for 1,053 yards in seven games as a senior — he also played defensive back, recording 45 tackles and forcing four fumbles.
Playing linebacker, however, is a bit of a new experience. As the Gophers are in the latter portion of their spring practice schedule, Edwards has had plenty of repetitions to adjust to his new position. For the Minnesota sophomore, having a spring to gain comfort as a linebacker has been much different than being thrust into the fire in the middle of last season.
"It's one of those things to get thrown into it, but to actually get in there and get taught from the ground up makes a difference," Kill said. "That's what they're getting taught in spring. I think all those kids that have made moves in their positions, I think it's given them a better chance to help our football team."
Edwards is listed at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, a bit smaller than most of his fellow Gophers linebackers. But what Edwards lacks in size, the former running back compensates with his speed as he chases down opposing running backs.
"(I'm) very pleased with his progress and the plays he's making," said Gophers defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys. "He can tackle in space. He can run with some receivers, a lot like (veteran teammate) Keanon (Cooper) can. He's just a little bit heavier than Keanon. He's had a good spring."
Will that translate into a good fall? Claeys believes the biggest learning curve for Edwards will come during fall camp as the Gophers prepare for the 2012 season. By then, Edwards will know the nuances of the position and the playbook and should be able to "just line up and play," as Claeys said.
While Minnesota's depth at running back has been thinned by injuries this spring — both Donnell Kirkwood and David Cobb have been banged up — Edwards is happy where he's at. He insists he doesn't really have the urge to carry the ball again.
"When I see them running, sometimes," Edwards admits. "But I'm digging this position at linebacker so I don't think about it much anymore."
The Gophers are digging it, too.
"He's enjoying it more," Claeys said. "I gave him a hard time, telling him there's only one tailback in the NFL on each team and there's at least three linebackers, sometimes four. Career-wise, it's a good move for him also as far as further opportunities down the road. He's always got a smile on his face. He's not afraid to hit people."
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