Fordham Football Report #10

Bronx, N.Y. – As we enter week three of the 2017 Fordham football fall camp we continue our position-by-position look at the Rams as we take a peek at the linebackers.
 
Fordham lost two starting linebackers to graduation, including All-Patriot League selection George Dawson, who led the 2016 squad in total tackles. But the Rams return a wealth of players with experience at the position, including a pair of starters.
 
Last year, the Ram linebackers helped Fordham rank second in the Patriot League and eleventh in the NCAA FCS in sacks/game (3.00) and second in the conference in tackles for loss per game (6.5). Fordham also led the league and was sixth in the NCAA FCS in fumbles recovered was first in the Patriot League and seventh in the nation in turnover margin.
 
Leading the returners is junior Noah Fitzgerald and sophomore Max Roberts. Fitzgerald, who appeared in all eleven games, starting nine, recorded 33 total tackles, 19 solo, including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also had a team-high four fumble recoveries along with four pass breakups and one forced fumble, leading the NCAA FCS in fumbles recovered.
 
 

Roberts appeared in ten games as a freshman, starting five at linebacker. He finished with 45 total tackles, 30 solo, including 9.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks, tying for the team lead in sacks, while ranking second on team in tackles for loss and fifth in total tackles. Roberts also had a team-high nine quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
 
Seniors solidifying the line backing position include Niko Thorpe and Vincent Sansone. Thorpe appeared in five games, starting one, after missing the first six contests of 2016 due to injury. He recorded 29 total tackles, 21 solo, including 5.5 for loss and 3.0 sacks. Sansone played in six games as a junior, both at linebacker and on special teams, recording four total tackles, one solo.
 
Also back are junior Chris Geissler, who appeared in four games, both at linebacker and on special teams last fall, and sophomore Zurab Akirtava, who did not see action as a freshman.
 
Freshmen looking to see playing time include Glenn Cunningham, Jeremy Imperati, Ricardo Llanio, and Thomas Stolte. Cunningham is a graduate of Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut, where he was a 2016 First Team CHSCA All-State and First Team All-SCC pick. Imperati is a product of Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, Connecticut, where he earned 2016 First Team All-New England honors. Llanio graduated from the Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, where he was a 2016 First Team All-Erikson League selection. Stolte, whose brother, Matt, played at Fordham from 2010-2014, arrives at Rose Hill after a successful career at Monroe Township High School in Monroe Township, N.J.