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Spring is often a time for change on the football field.
Whether it is a few tweaks, some new schemes or an entirely new playbook being installed, the spring practice period for any football team is bound to feature something in the way of change, and that extends to position moves as well.
At least one recognizable face on the Nicholls State football team is attempting such a move. Senior Landry Klann, a quarterback who missed all of last season and received a medical redshirt, has been working out in camp at special teams and at linebacker this spring.
Klann was approached by Colonels head coach Charlie Stubbs about making the move to create a greater chance of seeing the playing field in what will be Klann’s final season with the Colonels’ football team.
Given the Colonels’ depth at quarterback, a position that includes Tuskani Figaro, Beaux Hebert, Kalen Henderson and Dash Duncan – all of whom saw playing time at some point last year – Klann said he was happy to make the move if it helps the team.
“We have a big group of quarterbacks that are pretty good, so I came into a situation where it was going to be hard to get so many guys their reps,” Klann said. “Coach Stubbs came to me and he knows that I just want to win. I’ll do whatever. I’ll be a cheerleader if they want me to be a cheerleader.”
Stubbs saw the position switch as a good opportunity for Klann, who has been with the team since his freshman year in 2010 and deserves a shot to get on the playing field, the coach said.
“He did a good job with us last year as a student-coach when he was injured,” Stubbs said. “He’s watched our progress at quarterback and he knew it would be a tight battle. He’s going into his senior year and he’s a leader of our team. He’s a hard-working guy and is committed to everything. He’s a guy that just wants to find wherever he can fit and wherever he can help the Colonels.”
For now, that appears to be on the defensive side of things. Klann actually isn’t a complete stranger to that side of the ball, as he played safety at McCollum High in San Antonio before signing with Nicholls.
But even Klann knows that was a long time ago, and that there’s a lot he has to learn and adapt to if he wants to get into a regular rotation on defense, let alone as an impact player.
“I played at kind of a smaller (prep) school, so we had a bunch of guys go both ways and I was one of them,” Klann said. “I have some experience, but certainly not at the college level. This is a whole other beast. I’ve done it before, but I’ve got to get used to the physicality and our defensive scheme.”
Listed as 6-foot-3, 210 pounds in the school’s media guide, Klann also doesn’t have the ideal body of someone built to play the linebacker position.
Stubbs said he wasn’t worried so much about Klann’s size and added that there was room for him to grow still.
“He’s getting bigger, and he can get a little bigger because of playing that position,” Stubbs said. “He played defense in high school some too, so there is some (benefit) of that.”
He added that Klann has the right intangibles to make the most of the switch.
“He’s a student of the game, so what he doesn’t make in the way of actual speed or the physical attributes, he can make up for it with good mental decisions,” Stubbs said.
For his own part, Klann has no illusions of taking anyone else’s spot in the starting lineup on defense just yet. While acknowledging that he’s excited about the switch and eager to make a go of it, he admits it will be awhile before he feels comfortable stepping into the lineup.
“Obviously there’s a long way to go and I know that,” Klann said. “But I’m excited, I’m having a lot of fun making the transition and that’s helping the process go faster. It is a learning curve, but I feel like I’m doing all right just coming into it. I want our best player to play the position and if that’s me, so be it.”
Stubbs said Klann may not be the only player on the move this spring. If he’s not, the coach will use Klann as an example of how a player should take a change of pace in stride.
“I used him as a role model because we may have to move some other people around, and he took it gracefully and just wants to help,” Stubbs said.
Klann and the Colonels will continue spring practices this week. The Colonels will practice in full pads for the first time this week.
