SPRINGDALE -- It didn't take long for Caylon Wells to make his presence known during Springdale High's fall camp two years ago.
Then a sophomore, Wells quickly established himself as a standout linebacker, despite his youth and lack of varsity experience. It only took him two weeks to win a starting job.
Profile
Caylon Wells
School: Springdale High
Position: Outside Linebacker
Class: Senior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 180
Notable: Is the defense’s only full-time returning starter in the back seven. … Most comfortable at weakside linebacker, but can also play strongside. … Had 62 tackles and seven tackles-for-loss last season. … Had 49 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss and four forced fumbles as a sophomore.
"He had good instincts," defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Eric Middleton said.
Wells has been a starter ever since.
He made an impact that year as a sophomore, finishing with 49 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss and four forced fumbles. He was more productive as a junior last season, racking up 62 tackles and seven tackles-for-loss.
"He's been a really good, steady player," coach Shane Patrick said. "He works hard. He's got a lot of want-to and a lot of drive. He's got really good instincts on the field."
Those instincts have paid dividends the last two years.
Wells entered fall camp two years ago as a lanky 6-foot-3, 180-pound player the coaches thought had potential. He's turned out to be a key contributing player, even though his skinny frame has stayed the same.
"He's still rail thin," Middleton said. "I tease him about that, but he's pretty strong to be that thin. That's just his physical makeup. He eats and he does all those things."
His physique may be the same, but Wells has had to change the way he approaches practice this spring.
He spent his first two years as a Bulldog learning under veteran linebackers Clay Patrick and Neal Parsons, who assumed the leadership roles. Patrick graduated in 2013, while Parsons graduated this month, leaving a void in leadership for the linebacking corps with Wells the lone full-time returning starter.
The first few weeks of spring practice have been an adjustment as Wells has assumed the responsibility of speaking up to help other defensive players line up in the right spots, giving pointers to less-experienced linebackers and correcting mistakes.
"I don't get mad, but I try to be vocal," Wells said. "Last year, Neal led it all. I didn't have to say much. Same thing sophomore year. I just have to show up to practice and be a better example for the younger kids that are following."
Being assertive is something his coaches have stressed this spring.
"That's been our conversation," Middleton said. "He's been used to having someone else be vocal because of those two guys. It's his turn now. He's going to have to become more vocal."
Wells started at weak side linebacker last year and began the spring at the position, but he's also worked at the strong side spot in a move to shore up depth. His experience could make him the best candidate to change positions if a need arose in the fall.
"I like weak (side) a lot better, but I feel like I can play any of the linebackers," Wells said. "I like the inside reads better and blitzing off the edge (at will)."
Wherever he lines up, he's counted on to have a big impact. That comes with the territory of entering your senior season as a two-year starter and being the only returning full-time starter in the defense's back seven.
"We're definitely expecting a lot out of him," Patrick said. "When you're a three-year starter in this league, you're supposed to be pretty good. So we expect him to have a good year."
Sports on 05/27/2014