Changing ways: Wannabe college RB now a top lineman for Weber State

OGDEN — As a senior at Davis High School, Shane Barkdull played running back for the Darts with hopes of someday anchoring the backfield for the University of Utah or BYU.

Fast forward five years to the end of Weber State's 2005 spring drills, and everything has drastically changed for the Kaysville native.

Now Barkdull, an honorable mention all-Big Sky defensive lineman, would like nothing more than to complete his senior season with a winning record, a conference title and a trip to the Division I-AA playoffs.

Despite the unpredictable journey, Barkdull is happy with life at Weber State.

"I've enjoyed it," he said. "I can't complain."

Barkdull earned second team all-state honors under Davis coach Jim Dickson in high school. He was also a two-year letterman on the basketball team. In fact, Barkdull said it was following a basketball game that he was approached by former WSU coach Jerry Graybeal about playing football at Weber State — on the defensive line.

In spite of the position change, Barkdull was grateful for an opportunity to play his favorite sport at the college level. Even so, the change was difficult.

"The first year was a hard transition because it's completely different," Barkdull said. "It's a lot harder and more physically demanding on your body. I started to get the hang of it after the first few months. I'm slowly getting better every day. I still have a lot to learn."

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman played in nine games as a true freshman in 2000, posting 32 total tackles and 2.5 quarterback sacks. He then served an LDS mission in Southern California and returned for his sophomore season in 2003. That year he played eight games before an injury forced him to miss the final four. He finished the year with 38 total tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles.

Although he increased his production to 65 total tackles and seven sacks in 2004, Barkdull was frustrated by the 1-10 team record. More than anything, he wants the team to be successful in 2005. At least the new coaching staff is pushing everyone harder, Barkdull said, and that will help.

"(The 2004 season) was a bad year for all of us. I didn't play the best I can," Barkdull said. "(The new staff) demands a lot more from us. The practices are more intense. We work a lot harder than we ever have.

"Good things will come from it."