Harvard linebacker Jack McGowan is a noticeable presence at a place that’s slowly vanishing from faculty soccer defenses.
The 6-foot-1, 216-pound, fifth-year senior out of Catholic Memorial performs the SAM, or strongside linebacker, place in Harvard’s base 4-3 protection.
The SAM turns into expendable when defenses insert their nickel stop packages mandated by right this moment’s one-back unfold offenses directed by athletic twin risk quarterbacks.
Scott Larkee is Harvard’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach on the workers of head coach Tim Murphy, who has been main the Crimson since 1994. McGowan has cast a robust working relationship with Larkee in his tenure.
“I float back and forth and strong side is where I deploy,” stated McGowan. “Hopefully this 12 months I’ll get to play somewhat bit throughout (as a result of) I get somewhat bit lonely typically on the robust aspect when groups run away from me.
“It will get somewhat lonely on the market as a result of it has turn into the forgotten about place in faculty soccer these days. A variety of groups run their 4-2-5 nickel packages on each down since we’ve seen the unfold offense take over.
“I am really grateful that coach Larkee has kept that position in our base defense. I love it because I get to play in space, I get to blitz and cover guys in the slot and tight ends. I think it is the most well-rounded position on the defense and I couldn’t be happier with the system I ended up in.”
McGowan carried out all of what he simply described final season when Harvard went 8-2 general and 5-2 within the Ivy League. The Canton native was named First Team All-Ivy League and was the recipient of the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Bulger Lowe Award for protection.
McGowan performed in all 10 video games and completed with 30 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles with seven tackles for a loss, two interceptions and a sack. He labored in tandem with departed linebacker Jordan Hill, who led Harvard with 72 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and a sack.
“He (McGowan) keeps himself on the field because we don’t need to put in an extra defensive back with Jack in the game,” stated Murphy. “Whether he’s within the field, which is uncommon, or out on the slot receiver he’s making performs on the sphere.
“He’s so consistent, he can play inside or outside and he’s a good enough athlete to be a safety. He is a tremendous football player and I think he’s going to be one of our real breakout guys.”
McGowan found how a lot he appreciated enjoying soccer when it was taken away within the fall of 2020. The Ivy League was the primary NCAA convention to close down in response to the worldwide pandemic in March 2020 and subsequently cancelled all spring and fall sports activities.
Harvard’s athletic fields and coaching amenities went darkish whereas courses have been performed remotely on laptops away from campus. McGowan had the choice to graduate along with his class after the 2021 season however elected to return again to win an Ivy League title.
That required some sacrifice on McGowan’s half as a result of, in contrast to most universities, Harvard doesn’t permit graduate college students to play on sports activities groups. Harvard was the preseason decide to win the Ivy League with 108 factors and eight first-place votes.
“It was a weird time in my life, but I was lucky that I lived with two roommates who have now since graduated but were players here,” stated McGowan. “We educated collectively at a fitness center that type of stayed open throughout COVID, which we have been very lucky to have.
“But there have been undoubtedly soccer withdrawals as a result of I had been enjoying soccer just about my entire life, and for the primary time, I didn’t have a soccer season within the fall.
“I give a shoutout to Jordan Hill, who was our captain last season. His leadership kept us all together through all that, he couldn’t have done a better job and he really guided us through that.”
McGowan grew up in a soccer family with youthful brothers who adopted his path to CM. Owen McGowan is battling for an open linebacker spot at Boston College whereas Brady McGowan performs for legendary CM head coach John DiBiaso. The Knights went undefeated final season and captured the Division 2 Super Bowl title.
Source: www.bostonherald.com