Instincts make Augusta’s Marlnee a sought-after linebacker

Explaining what makes Augusta senior Dallin Marlnee the ideal linebacker can sometimes be a frustrating task for his coach, Jason Filbeck.

Filbeck will try to tell you how instinctual the 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior is, but describing it can’t do it justice. You have to see it.

So he’s saved a clip from Marlnee’s junior season in a game against McPherson. It’s a simple dive up the middle, but Marlnee immediately comes charging in and wraps up the ballcarrier for a three-yard loss. It seems like a modest play, but listening to Filbeck, this play represents why Marlnee has already attracted an offer from Wyoming.

“He studies a lot of film and he really studies the tendencies of other teams,” Filbeck said. “You can see it in that play. You would have thought we blitzed him, but we didn’t. He just happened to notice the guard and knew he was pulling, so he slipped the pocket and blows it up. You can’t teach those kind of instincts.”

Marlnee puts in the time — he is a self-described “film freak” — and Filbeck turns him loose on Friday nights. He still has keys he has to follow in Augusta’s defensive scheme, but Filbeck trusts Marlnee to freelance when he develops a feeling on where the ball is going.

Both know that feeling is based on the hours Marlnee pours into film study and more times than not, Marlnee guesses right.

“Sometimes they’ll line up and you already know where the play is going based on your reads,” Marlnee said. “All of those hours and hours definitely pay off. You can sometimes read the guard and tell how he’s lined up if he’s pulling or not. Just little stuff like that, it can make a big difference.”

Since Filbeck took over in 2014, Augusta has won 12 games and made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons after winning 12 games with no playoff appearances in the previous eight years. But the Orioles lost their final two games last season and are desperate to win their first playoff game since 2005.

Marlnee figures to be a big part if that is to happen. In his first season starting last year, Marlnee had 23 more tackles than anyone else on Augusta at 89 total with 11 coming for a loss. While there was no denying Marlnee’s physical prowess, many of those paths to the ball carrier were created by Augusta’s defensive line.

With Jonny Clausing, Kendall Davis, and Ryan Rogers returning, the defensive line figures to play an important role in the success of Augusta and Marlnee this season.

“I feel like we can have a powerhouse defense this year,” Davis said. “I think we all rely on each other to make plays and we all know we all benefit from everyone else. It’s just about teamwork. But with Dallin, he’s that guy and he’s not afraid to do what needs to be done.”

Just like there is a chemistry with a quarterback and his offensive linemen, Filbeck points out that it is often overlooked how crucial it is to have chemistry between the defensive line and middle linebacker. Marlnee was also sure to add how important his line was to his success.

“They’re all extremely talented, but they also hold each other accountable,” Filbeck said. “They don’t surprise Dallin by taking a different gap or a step in the wrong direction. It frees him up to hit the gap he’s responsible for and then it all kind of comes together. He definitely benefits from playing with a good defensive line and vice versa.”

Of course, there are a handful of plays every game where Marlnee makes tackles that Filbeck thinks are impressive during the game.

Then he watches it on film and is able to truly appreciate Marlnee’s instincts.

“There is definitely times where he can save your defense,” Filbeck said. “Maybe something in front of him wasn’t right and he’ll make a hero play and bail you out. That’s pretty nice to have on your side.”

Marlnee is betting more Division I programs are going to recruit his ability to diagnose plays instantly with the athleticism that comes from his frame at 6-4 and 215 pounds. He’s pleased with the offer from Wyoming and any state college would be more than happy to take him.

But while he has aspirations for his senior season that he wishes to keep private, he wants to showcase a new and improved version of himself this season. And hopefully attract a few more Division I offers.

“I definitely feel like I’m a lot faster now, for sure,” Marlnee said. “I’m able to move better in the open field now too. I’m still big enough to fill the inside up, but now I’ve really been working on covering receivers in space and being able to play more outside. I just feel like I’m more versatile this season and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

This story was originally published August 19, 2016 at 7:28 AM with the headline "Instincts make Augusta’s Marlnee a sought-after linebacker."