Jahsiah Galvan earns a starting spot as a redshirt freshman at UNI

CEDAR FALLS — Earning a starting spot as a freshman in college football is no easy task.

However, despite the odds, Northern Iowa redshirt freshman linebacker Jahsiah Galvan worked his way to the top of the depth chart during fall camp and affirmed the decision made by Coach Mark Farley and defensive coordinator Jeremiah Johnson with an impressive debut in the Panthers’ loss at Iowa State last Saturday.

“All in all I thought he did (well) for his first time playing (at) inside linebacker, because you just don’t walk in and play inside linebacker,” Farley said. “You’re in the box, you’re in a different world in there versus out in space. So I thought he did a really nice job, but that’s why I moved him in there, he’s a talented young man that’ll be really good here.”

Largely playing three defensive linemen and six defensive backs against the Cyclones provoked Galvan’s move from nickelback — where he played most of spring ball — to weakside linebacker.

He responded with six tackles and combined with defensive lineman Cannon Butler on a tackle for loss against the Cyclones. He also had a pair of his six tackles in the open field on third downs.

“It was just the playbook to be honest,” Galvan said of the adjustment to inside linebacker. “There’s a lot more to it that I needed to learn, but I think it kind of seasoned me out a little bit being inside the box that much having to take on those blockers, and it gives you a lot better understanding of the defense overall.”

A 6-foot-3, 202-pounder from West Liberty, Galvan looks to improve upon his starting debut — and there’s plenty of room for it.

Farley mentioned after Saturday’s game — and during Tuesday’s news conference — that Galvan and the Panthers’ multiple first-year starters on defense must communicate better to achieve improved results moving forward.

“For one, the better I know my job the easier it’ll be to make sure everyone else is on the same page as me, because I should know what I’m doing like the back of my hand,” Galvan said. “If I can keep doing that and making sure it’s locked in what my job is, it'll be easier to communicate to everyone else.”

Looking back on what was a fierce position battle that began in spring practices and culminated in fall camp, Galvan said embracing the competition is what helped him earn his spot.

“I think (competition) really brings out the best in (most) guys, just knowing that your position is not locked in makes you want to go harder everyday,” Galvan said. “Just being able to bring that consistency everyday is something that I think stands out for whoever’s (competing).”

The Panthers (0-1) look to bounce back Saturday in their home opener against ninth-ranked Weber State (1-0). The Wildcats were picked fourth in the Big Sky’s preseason poll.

“I think the keys for us will just be that everyone does their job,” Galvan said. “I think as long as we’re all on the same page every play (and) we don’t make any communication errors we all just (will) do what we need to do and play fast and physical.”