RICHMOND — (Editor’s note: This is the sixth in an eight-part series preview the 2009 Eastern Kentucky University football team. Today’s feature focuses on the Colonel linebackers. The secondary will be the focus of tomorrow’s article.)

Jordan Dalrymple plays football with a passion that is hard to ignore.

He simply loves the game.

And his emotion and intensity are contagious.

“He’s a guy who can get the whole team going,” Eastern Kentucky University linebackers coach Garry Fisher said of Dalrymple. “He’s a high-energy guy who is always just flying around. Jordan is just a great kid. I can’t enough about him. He has a true passion for the game.”

Dalrymple’s passion is without a doubt the biggest reason why he has become the unquestioned, outspoken leader of the Colonel linebackers.

The talented 6-foot, 215-pound junior finished last season as EKU’s fourth-leading tackler (68) and this year, will assume a bigger role as he takes over as the starter at middle linebacker.

“He’s a great leader,” Fisher said. “He loves football and that’s what you want out of a linebacker, especially a middle linebacker who is calling the fronts and getting the defense lined up. He’s just a guy who does everything right and leads by example. He loves the game. In practice, you get the same thing out of him as you do in the game.”

Dalrymple’s leadership will play a big part in the development of a relatively young group of linebackers.

The Colonels return just one full-time starter at the position — Dalrymple — and only two other players who were regular contributors — Antonio Fredrick and Jake Tamaska.

Dalrymple has the most experience of any returning linebacker. The Oviedo, Fla., native played in all 11 games as a true freshman and recorded a sack in his first-ever college game.

He missed the entire 2007 season with a back injury, but bounced back with a breakout season.

Dalrymple started nine games at weakside linebacker last year, but was moved to middle linebacker following the graduation of Ryan Viana.

“It’s pretty much the same,” Dalrymple said of the switch the middle linebacker. “It’s a little different scheme. I’ve got big (defensive lineman Andrew) Soucy in front of me, so he helps me out a lot. It’s not a big change, but I’m looking forward to it.”

One thing certainly won’t change —  Dalrymple’s enthusiasm.

The junior is extremely energetic and vocal, especially when he’s on the field with Soucy.

“We both love getting wild, getting crazy and getting everyone up,” Dalrymple said. “We make a big play and everyone rallies around that because it carries over not to the defense to all the offense. It’s contagious. It just keeps rolling.”

Fredrick started just two games last season, but could be set to have a breakout year. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound junior will take over as the starter at weakside linebacker after finishing last season with 56 tackles, which was seventh on the team.

“He did a good job coming into games and making plays in a backup role,” Fisher said of Fredrick. “He had a great camp. He came back this summer and worked hard. He came into camp a little more clear on his assignments and knowing what he needs to do. He’s one of our best athletes at linebacker.”

Fredrick had 12 tackles in last year’s season opener against Cincinnati and reached double-digits in tackles two other times (Austin Peay and Eastern Illinois).

“Antonio will come down hill and smack you any day of the week,” Dalrymple said. “He’s ready to go.”

Chris Moore is ready to take over as the starter at strongside linebacker.

The 6-foot-3, 192-pound sophomore saw action mostly on special team last season, but did contribute some on the defensive line.

“He’s an athletic kid who plays well in space,” Fisher said of Moore. “He will also be in our nickel package as one of our pass rushers. So, we are counting on Chris a lot.”

Jake Tamaska, EKU’s only senior linebacker, returns and will push for playing time. The converted fullback saw action in all 12 games last season and finished with 25 tackles and a fumble recovery.

“He’s always a leader on and off the field,” Fisher said of Tamaska. “He’s a tremendous asset to us. He will get a lot of reps. In some instances he will be in there at middle linebacker and Dalrymple will be on the weak side.”

Tyson Patrick, a transfer from Toledo, will start the season behind Fredrick at weakside linebacker. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound sophomore is still learning the system, but could be an impact player this year.

“He’s kind of where Antonio was last year,” Fisher said of Patrick. “We hope to get him into games early. It’s probably just going to take some time for him to learn the defense and getting used to playing at game speed. He’s a great addition to our linebacker core.”

Nick Vicini, a redshirt freshman from Lexington, is listed as the Colonels’ No. 2 strongside linebacker and should see plenty of playing time this season.

“He will be in the mix,” Fisher said of Vicini. He did a great job in the spring. He’s a physical player.”