Cal LB Hunter Barth on his opportunity to start this season
With openings at inside linebacker, the junior Cal linebacker has an opportunity to get the start in 2024.
On the opportunity for this spring
It's been a huge opportunity for me to run with the ones and I've focused on steadily improving and taking coaching from Coach Sirmon, then doing the best I can to help out the younger guys and really focusing on the mental partof the game and being 100% on my calls and alignments and such.
On the transition from safety to linebacker
I kind of got thrown to the fire last year a little bit, going from safety at linebacker. And guys got hurt and I got put in the game and it gave me some experience. And with that I am taking in stride. I’ve got the experience and now it's just time to really execute and be a player out there on defense.
On what linebacker skills was quickest to pick up
The quickest is definitely the pass game. Slowest is kind of getting familiar with being that close the line of scrimmage and seeing the ball and being able to make plays, kind of things like getting off blocks. I had to focus on sled work, get used to using my hands, get off blocks, something that's not really a focus as much as being a free safety.
On body evolution
When I first switched from safety to linebacker, I was about 205 pounds. Last year I played just under 220 and then right now I'm about to 220. So I had to put on some mass and still able to maintain on my speed. So that's been great.
On taking on more of an attacking mindset
Seeing the ball's been something I've been focusing on like last year. There's a time where I'm a step half step late instead, like making the tackle right in the hole or my line of scrimmage making that tackle like in the backfield.
So that's been a focus for me and it's something I'm getting better at every day.
How safety skills translate to being a linebacker
I understand what's going on in the back end and that helps out a ton, but it's also like foot quickness. I'm able to foot fake, get around blocks and stuff like that, just having good feet. It's been extremely helpful for the linebacker position.
As an "old" ILB coach, the hardest thing to teach a new ILB is to read the triangle and to also see any offside pullers (O lineman from the other side of the center). The quicker he reads these keys the quicker he can diagnose the play. Too many inexperienced guys have a tendency to just watch the ball and get completely faked out.
Would love to see Hunter earn a starting role this year. He has worked so hard and selflessly for the opportunity. He reminds me of Greg Bracelin from my recruiting class who was recruited as a DB and then ended up playing linebacker. Greg was an amazing athlete and a stud who could lay the wood. Greg also played rugby and he was amazing on the pitch as well. He went on to a very successful NFL career as well. Go Hunter!!