Perhaps no position at Lake Forest College was more well regarded than the linebacker position. Producing record-setters, conference player of the year award winners, and NFL contracts.
The Foresters' changed the Midwest conference during this decade when they switched to a 3-4 defense that has kept them near that top of the league in most defensive categories through out the decade.
LB: Casey Urlacher- 2000-2002 Lovington, NM (Lovington) The most decorated player in Lake Forest College Football History. Selected as a 1st team All-American Selection by Hewlett Packard recorded 358 tackles in 3 seasons. Started all 31 games of his Forester career after starting at New Mexico Military Institute. A three time 1st Team All-Conference Selection, a Three time Team MVP, and was named the Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. Scored 10 Offensive touchdowns as a running back and had a kickoff return for a touchdown in his career. finished Lake Forest career ranked first in school history with 43 tackles for loss and second with 358 total tackles. Was selected to play in the 2003 Hula Bowl by the AFCA. Signed a three year contract with the Chicago Bears upon graduation. Team Captain in 2002 when the team won the conference championship.
LB: Lou Bertucca 2003-2006 Chicago, IL (Fenwick) Bertuca started 40 straight games for the Foresters and set a school record for career tackles for a loss with 50. He is also tied for 3rd in sacks for a career with 22. Bertuca was a four time all-conference selection for the Foresters, including a first team selection in 2006 when he also served as the teams captain. He also lead the league in forced fumbles in 2005.
LB: Chad Zimborski 2006-2009 Waukesha, WI (Waukesha North) Zimborski started all 40 games of his career at Lake Forest and finished third all-time in total tackles with 314. He recorded 21 TFL's and 5 career interceptions. Zimborski was a team captain in 2009, and was a 3x all-conference selection, garnering second team honors in both 2007 and 2009. His 2008 season was slowed by an ACL tear, but he didn't miss any game time or reps. Chad lead the team in tackles 3 of his 4 seasons as a letterman. He finished in the top five in the MWC in tackles twice in his career.
LB: Kevin Krabel 1999-2002 Oakland, IL (Oakland) A 29 game starter for the Foresters. Was a first team all-conference selection and a third team all-region selection (Football Gazette) in 2002. School record 6 tackles for a loss in a single game against Illinois College his senior year. 23 TFL’s and 10 Sacks for his career.
HM: Donovan Baldridge, Ian Thompson, Omar Pickering, Ryan Gallegos
