The Drake defense will be anchored by a veteran crew of linebackers that features Kansas City native Jimmy Adams who is a pre-season All-American. Drake coach Rob Ash says the other linebackers Brian Conway and Nick Ross are outstanding as well. He says Ross is the undisputed leader of the team.

Ross is a native of Atlantic and says playing in renovated Drake Stadium has added to the build-up of this season. Ross says last year they said the renovation didn’t affect them, but he says it kind of did. Now Ross says they have the excitement of playing on a new home field.

Ross says as a group the linebackers are close on and off the field. He says he loves playing next to them and they hang out on and off the football field and that helps the cohesion of the defensive team. The Bulldogs open the season next Thursday at home against UNI.