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When Minot State University junior linebacker Tommy Weidler was recruited out of Velva High School, he might have been thinking about being sacked - not making them.

Weidler, a heralded quarterback/running back for the Aggies, hasn't thrown a pass for the Beavers after spending one redshirt season as a signal caller.

Instead, he has spent his three-year career chasing down opposing QBs.

"I am really enjoying sacking the quarterback right now," Weidler said when asked what he would choose between throwing a touchdown or sacking the QB. "I'm not going to lie to you, I am having a lot of fun. It's just such a big play."

Weidler has become a mainstay in the opposition's backfield as he regularly blitzes from his outside linebacker position. He leads the team with 2.5 sacks on the season for a total of 24.5 yards lost. He is third on the team in overall tackles with 38 and has eight tackles for a loss for another 40 yards lost by opposing teams.

What has made his transformation from quarterback even more remarkable is how many times Weidler sets up in the three-point stance as a fourth-down lineman.

"In my experience of watching guys develop, I like seeing linebackers who were quarterbacks or running backs in high school," Rudolph said. "They move in and out better, got those great feet. Tommy gives us a different type of athleticism out there."

While both coach and player agree with his increased ability in the pass rush, they differ on what is the biggest key.

"I go with my speed. I'm not as big as most defensive linemen so I have to focus on the speed aspect," Weidler said.

"I think it's strength - his increased strength leads to more confidence. Instead of those big guys hitting you and moving two or three gaps out, now he has some more strength and bigger body mass and it's a little more of a fight. It helps keep their hands off of him," Rudolph said.

Weidler acknowledges that he has had to change his body over the past three season, especially in this past offseason where he added bulk to his build, coming into the season at a listed 210 pounds.

"After last season I really concentrated on getting stronger," he said. "I really noticed I wasn't as strong as I should be and during the offseason I focused on getting stronger and getting bigger. I worked on bench press and squats to try to get ready for the season."

Size, strength and speed are all coupled with the MSU defense disguising where Weidler is coming from.

"That is the biggest thing, - they don't know where I am coming from. It makes everything so much easier," Weidler said. "If they are looking for something and we give them something different, that is a huge advantage."

Weidler gave defensive line coach Jeff Engel and linebackers coach Jeff Miller a lot of credit for his increase in pass rushing ability.

"The coaches have done a great job of teaching me techniques," he said. "Coach Engel works a lot on the pass rushing and how to get the concept down. Coach Miller has allowed me to change it up a lot. I can put the hand down or stay up. I get the best of both worlds. It's fun to put that hand down and rush, but I also like to drop back and defend the pass there, too."

His play has enhanced a defensive line that has steadily progressed throughout the season.

"They really have gotten better," Rudolph said. "Being good teammates is what it amounts to. You won't find great athleticism in any one individual, but collectively, they play smart and really know what they need to do to help everyone else. They are a bunch of lunch pail guys."

Weidler has bought into the team concept as well.

"This is like a big family right now," he said. "I want to make a play for Martel (fellow linebacker Martel Pope), and the line want to make a play for the (defensive backs). You know, we love to see the offense run the ball and make big plays. It is a good overall feeling right now. I love playing with these guys."