Siehndel out to lift 'Hawks 'D' up a notch

Daniel Siehndel has turned into a pretty good linebacker for someone who did not even play the position in high school or his first year of college.

Now the Southeast Missouri State junior hopes to again make his mark on an inexperienced Redhawks' front seven that counts only one player who received more than one collegiate start last year.

That person is Siehndel, who said he is ready to help take Southeast's defense to a level that far exceeds its seasoning.

"I'm not a big vocal guy. I like to lead by example," Siehndel said. "Just do things the right way."

Siehndel believes Southeast's front seven is not as inexperienced as it looks, since quite a few returning players saw action last year.

"It may seem like we're inexperienced, but we've got a lot of guys who know the system," Siehndel said. "We're young, but we've got some guys who have played in games."

Only Siehndel, however, has been a consistent regular as he started all 11 contests in 2012.

Seniors made every start at the four line positions last season. The only other returning linebacker to start a game last year is junior George Neuhaus, who made one start. This year he takes over in the middle for All-American Blake Peiffer.

Neuhaus, who saw action in all 11 games a year ago, recorded 16 tackles and tied for second on the team with two interceptions.

Daniel Siehndel

"We're young but I feel like we have enough experience, more than people would consider," Southeast coach Tony Samuel said of a defensive front seven that might not start any seniors.

Siehndel gives Southeast's linebacker unit plenty of experience from his outside position. He is the Redhawks' top returning tackler with 51, which ranked fifth on last year's team. He also had three tackles for loss -- tied for fourth on the squad -- and recovered a fumble.

"He played well last year," said Samuel, whose squad will host a scrimmage open to the public at 9 a.m. Saturday at Houck Stadium.

Siehndel played in 10 games for the Redhawks as a redshirt freshman in 2011 after redshirting at Northern Colorado in 2010.

Siehndel was a safety during his one season at Northern Colorado, the same position -- along with quarterback -- he played at Park Hill South High School in Kansas City, Mo.

"When I came here [Southeast] I was kind of in between," said Siehndel, an all-district quarterback as a high school senior when he passed for 1,500 yards and rushed for 1,200 yards. "I had the athleticism to play defensive back but they said based on my size and speed they wanted to try me at outside linebacker."

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Siehndel made a smooth transition.

"We pretty much felt linebacker would be his position when he came here," Samuel said. "He's done well for us."

Siehndel made the decision to leave Northern Colorado, which like Southeast competes on the FCS level, after his redshirt season for a couple of reasons.

"The [coaching] staff that recruited me got fired and I wanted to get back closer to home," Siehndel said. "It's worked out well. I've been happy here."

Siehndel will be even happier if the Redhawks can bounce back from consecutive 3-8 overall records and 2-6 Ohio Valley Conference marks that saw them place seventh in the nine-team league both seasons.

Those outside the program expect the Redhawks to again struggle as they were picked eighth in the OVC preseason poll voted on by the conference's coaches and sports information directors.

Siehndel said he pays little attention to predictions and believes Southeast has the talent to succeed.

"I could care less what people think of us," he said. "We just want to get on the same page. ... hopefully all the work we put in during the spring and summer will really show."