As Idaho State’s fall camp rolls into action, the Journal is breaking down the Bengals’ 10 major position groups: quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, wide receivers, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks, safeties, and special teams to prepare you for the season.

It continues with the linebackers.

KEY PLAYERS LOST

Idaho State lost Mitch Beckstead, Austin Graves, PJ Gremaud and Nick Albano to graduation. Those four combined for 248 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks.

Sophomore Mario Jenkins, the Bengals’ top tackler a season ago, was slated to start at Will linebacker but is out for the year with an injury.

WHO’S BACK

Junior Hayden Stout is the lone returning starter. Seniors Kurt Karstetter and CJ Langlow have contributed in the past, but each is stepping into new roles as full-time players.

Sophomore Micah Breland had 12 tackles while working mostly in special teams last season. Redshirt freshmen James Madison and Joe Martin are converted safeties. Both will play on special teams and could work their way onto the field in backup roles.

OUTLOOK

Going into fall camp, Idaho State’s linebackers were one of its perceived strengths. Jenkins was one of the nation’s top freshmen in 2014 and a preseason all-Big Sky pick.

With Jenkins unavailable, his starting spot falls to junior Jake Pettit, who will play alongside Stout at inside linebacker. Karstetter is the rush linebacker and Langlow is at the sam.

Pettit is a transfer from Santa Barbara City College and was third on the team with 56 tackles in eight games. Losing Jenkins hurts, but the Bengals are confident Pettit can step in and perform.

“Watching him, I can kind of see the confidence,” Karstetter said. “He’s a really smart kid and good player.”

Stout added: “ It was pretty traumatic seeing (Jenkins) go down. ... It’s not about any one player. I mean, he’s a superstar and it’s a huge loss. But Jake Pettit is stepping in. It’s sad that he went down, but we can still do well.”

Not having Jenkins is one thing, but his injury also creates an issue of depth. Pettit was going to backup Karstetter at rush linebacker, hopefully creating a one-two punch at a position Idaho State relies on to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Now Karstetter’s immediate reserves are true freshmen Luke Holloway and Mason Jackson and redshirt freshman Tate Razor. All three are unknown commodities.

The hope is that Karstetter can be as reliable as Graves was last season when he started 12 games and rarely ever left the field. If Karstetter is unlucky and gets banged up, well, then Idaho State may have to turn to youth to play a big factor.

QUOTABLE

“Losing a guy like Mario is going to hurt. ... I have tons of confidence in Jake. I think he’s going to be able to fill that role and do everything Mario can do. Everyone trusts Jake, which is huge.” — Kurt Karstetter

“It will swell your tongue.” — Idaho State coach Mike Kramer on his reaction to Jenkins’ season-ending injury

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Idaho State’s four starting linebackers are good. Pettit may not be the impact player that Jenkins is, but at 6 foot 3 and 232 pounds, he can man the position.

The concern is that before the Bengals have even played a game, they’re scrambling to deal with Jenkins’ absence. Any margin for error they had is gone.