Day 4: Ugwoegbu leads way for defense
Positive energy always followed Oregon State projected starting outside linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu during Monday’s fall camp practice. Whether right next to a teammate on the field or running halfway up the sideline, Ugwoegbu was often the first to greet a defensive teammate after a quality play. His cheers and yells were accompanied by fist pumps and hand slaps as he made his way to smiling teammates. The redshirt sophomore from Katy, Texas, is taking on a greater responsibility as a leader this season and savors the opportunity.
“I’ve always, you know, been in position, whether it be live football or school, I’ve always been looked at as more mature, or someone who is more as a leadership type of guy," Ugwoegbu said. "I’m very vocal, I know I am, and I like to play with a lot of emotion. I like my teammates to play with a lot of emotion so I just try to infect everybody with the same energy I have."
“I’m really excited to see what a lot of them can do on the field,” he added.
Between plays Ugwoegbu, listed at 6-foot-2, 226 pounds, would chat-up teammates on the sideline or do a little dancing to the music, ranging from rap to country, which echoed across the field at Summit High School in Bend. On the field Ugwoegbu, who had two starts as a redshirt freshman last year and finished the season with 17 tackles, will need to help lead a young defense that struggled in 2015 as the team finished 2-10 under first-year head coach Gary Andersen.
After defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake departed to become head football coach at BYU in December, Kevin Clune was lured from Utah State to take over the young unit. It’s not the first time for Clune, however, as he led a similar project of building up an inexperienced squad while defensive coordinator at Hawaii in 2014.
“This is the third time in three years that I’ve been installing this defense for the first year,” Clune said. “I understand that these are the growing pains that might happen in what we do. It’s an ongoing process and the development of these kids is what we’re here for.”
Ugwoegbu believes his teammates have made strides since last season by adding more on-the-field intelligence to go with quality athleticism.
“Football IQ is way higher. We’re not just out there running around being athletes. Now we know the situation of football,” he said.
Clune is happy with Ugwoegbu's leadership and team play and believes the defense is full of strong players he hopes will develop sooner rather than later.
“If we keep improving every day then I’ll be happy. And the same with the season. If we keep improving every game - then that’s good. The top-end of this team I have no idea where it’s at. I’m just here to coach, teach and try to make them the best they can be. Today was a huge step forward.”