Seeing as how the starting middle linebacker for Georgia Southern has found his way to an NFL training camp in each of the last two seasons, it would be easy to anticipate a drop off this time around.
    But to hear it from some Eagles, the position might be in even better hands this season. Ukeme Eligwe transferred into the program last summer after beginning his career at Florida State, where the highlight of his Seminole career came by recording a tackle in the victory at the 2013 BCS Championship game.
    Eligwe sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, but is now ready to make his mark on what is projected to be a strong Eagle defense.
    “Man, it’s pretty tough,” GS running back L.A. Ramsby says of running at Eligwe and the rest of the Eagles’ defensive front. “All of our opponents are going to be challenged.”
    “The defense is definitely helping the passing game,” GS quarterback Favian Upshaw said. “(Eligwe) is fast and always seems to be in the right spot. If we can find space to throw at practice, we can do it in games.”
    Following Eligwe’s stellar freshman season in Tallahassee, things got a bit rough. Eligwe played just two games in 2014 before being suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules and, ultimately, dismissed from the team.
    Still looking to play out his remaining eligibility, Eligwe had plenty of schools lining up to offer a second chance. While some perennial top-25 teams dragged their feet in offering a roster spot, Georgia Southern was upfront with its offer and the 6-foot- 2, 239-pounder made the decision to come to Statesboro.
    Eligwe now begins the first of two seasons of playing eligibility he’ll have at Georgia Southern.
    Since coming to town, Eligwe has put the past behind him, instead focusing on the chance to contribute that he’ll have this season.
    “You know, I got dismissed and I had to move on,” Eligwe said of his Florida State days. “Right now, this is where I need to be. Georgia Southern has felt like the right place since I got here.”
    Even though he has played just two games in the previous two years, Eligwe’s talent is still drawing attention. He came out of Stone Mountain High School as the No. 2-rated linebacker in the country and as the No. 2-rated overall player in Georgia. He showed flashes of what he can do at the collegiate level in 2013 and some publications are still giving him All-Sun Belt recognition before he plays his first snap for the Eagles.
    As Eligwe attempts to fill the shoes left by Antwione Williams – fifth round pick of the Detroit Lions – last season, he figures to have plenty of help. Senior returning starter Ironhead Gallon will flank one side of the Eagles’ new 4-3 defensive scheme, with Chris De La Rosa manning the other.
    The linebacking corps will combine with a defensive line that returns the entire two-deep from last season. If a secondary stocked with young – but highly-touted – athletes grows up quickly, the
    Eagles will be a tough matchup for any offense in 2016.
    “I know the offense (at Georgia Southern) is what people talk about,” Eligwe said. “The offense is great and it puts people in the stands, but I think we can be a great defense, too. The way we’re going in camp so far, I think we’re forcing the offense to get better.”
    Mike Anthony may be reached at (912) 489-9408.