Epstein infuses energy into Redhawks' defense

~ Southeast lost a number of its defensive starters to graduation.

Three knee surgeries have not diminished Tyler Epstein's spirit or enthusiasm.

Epstein, a transfer from Northern Iowa, hopes to strengthen Southeast Missouri State's defense with his high-energy, hustling, physical style of play.

"He's very intense," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said.

Epstein, a 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker, is going through his first spring practice with the Redhawks, who had their initial spring scrimmage Saturday.

Linebacker Tyler Epstein tracks a play Saturday during a scrimmage at Houck Stadium. (KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com)

After sitting out last season because of NCAA transfer rules -- he spent the year at Southeast rehabbing from his most recent knee surgery -- Epstein can't wait for the 2009 campaign to start.

"I'm full go now and I'm really excited for the season," he said following Saturday's scrimmage at Houck Stadium.

Epstein has maintained a positive outlook throughout an injury-plagued football career.

Epstein suffered a torn ACL on the third play of the third game in his senior season at Farmington High School.

While at Northern Iowa, Epstein tore his patella tendon, which he had surgery on after transferring to Southeast.

Tyler Epstein graduated from Farmington High School in 2006.

All told, Epstein has had two surgeries on his right knee and one on his left knee.

"But I'm fine now," said Epstein, who was not able to practice with the Redhawks last season because of his rehab, but still attended meetings and practice sessions.

"I think that helped me a lot to get ready for this year," he said.

Epstein's determination was apparent during his senior year at Farmington High School, where he graduated from in 2006.

About 15 weeks after having surgery for the torn ACL, Epstein said he returned to the wrestling mat.

Quarterback Matt Scheible hands off Saturday, April 18, 2009, during the Spring Scrimmage at Houck Stadium. (KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com)

Despite only competing in 18 matches, Epstein capped his senior wrestling season by winning a state title.

"He's really a hard working guy," Samuel said.

Epstein said he was being recruited for football by some major programs -- including Illinois and Cincinnati -- before his first knee injury.

That led the bigger schools to back off, so he decided on perennial Division I-AA power Northern Iowa.

After redshirting in 2006, Epstein received limited action in 2007, although he did appear in all 13 games. He had 11 tackles for a team that went 12-1 and was ranked No. 1 for seven weeks.

Linebacker Joshua Jackson, bottom, makes a tackle during Saturday's scrimmage.

Partly because he wanted more playing time and partly because he wanted to get closer to home, Epstein targeted Southeast, which originally had recruited him when Tim Billings was the Redhawks' coach.

"I liked coach Samuel and called him," Epstein said. "It worked out for me to come here."

Epstein is glad he made that call.

"At first it was tough because I didn't know anybody, but now I love it," he said. "Being close to home, it's awesome.

"My parents are close to here and my grandparents will be able to watch me play. They won't have a seven-hour drive to Northern Iowa."

Quarterback Matt Scheible throws a pass Saturday.

Epstein figures to help bolster a defense that graduated many of its top players, including leading tackler Nick Stauffer at linebacker.

"He moves good. He runs well. He understands the game," said Samuel, whose squad will have another scrimmage at noon Saturday and will wrap up spring drills with an intrasquad game at noon May 2.

Asked to describe his linebacking style, Epstein said: "I'm a physical player and I hustle. I'm high energy. I fly around and get to the football."

Epstein hopes to help reverse the fortunes of a program that has not had a winning record since 2002 and has not won more than four games in a season since 2003.

"I feel like the attitude has definitely switched. People are believing and we've got great chemistry," said Epstein, who will be a junior in eligibility. "I know we're all going to give everything we've got to turn it around."