JOHN KOVACH | Colleges Hulea tackles his way to top

VILLANOVA, Pa. -- Bypassing football as a redshirt in his first year of college has paid off in success for Brian Hulea, now a freshman linebacker for Villanova University.
"I had the size to play but I don't think I was mentally ready. The redshirt year really helps," said Hulea, a graduate of Canfield High, who used his first season at Villanova in 2001 to build a foundation for this one. "I probably could have played last year, but I came in a little overweight."
As a starter in all 10 games this year entering Saturday's game against Rhode Island, Hulea (6-foot-2, 235 pounds) led Villanova in total tackles with 71, including 54 solos, helping the Wildcats to a 7-3 record, including 4-3 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Hulea also is a major reason why Villanova was ranked No. 1 in the conference in total defense (246.9 yards a game) and No. 3 in scoring defense (15.4).
Through nine games, Villanova's total defense ranked No. 4 in the nation in Division I-AA.
Learned on scout team
"I was on the scout team [last year] and I learned all about the team. We had a really good offense last year," said Hulea, who said he learned a lot going against running back Brian Westbrook, who won the Walter Payton Award and now is playing for the Philadelphia Eagles."
Hulea, who also leads the team in tackles for losses (10), said the biggest adjustment he had to make was against the size and speed of collegiate players.
"It was getting used to the speed of the game. It is a lot faster than high school. All the linemen are about 280 pounds. You see that once in awhile in high school but not for everyone," said Hulea, whose 71 tackles were the second-most by a freshman in the conference.
"I'm not the fastest and not the strongest. I think that it is more mental, being at the right place at the right time, taking tips from the older guys and coaches who have played the game before. You have to be able to listen," said Hulea, who is third on the team in sacks with four and has one interception.
Had good games
Hulea had 10 tackles, including two for losses, in Villanova's 41-20 win over No. 11-ranked William & amp; Mary three weeks ago, and he had seven solo hits and one tackle for loss the following week in a 38-21 loss to No. 18 Northeastern. The Wildcats had entered that game ranked No. 11.
"The reason I am playing now is I am pretty good against the run. As a linebacker, that is my strength." said Hulea, who comes from a football family and felt he was well-prepared at Canfield and in the area to play at Villanova.
"The competition around the Youngstown area is pretty good and prepares you," said Hulea, whose father, Nick, and uncle, Paul, both played for Poland High.
College backgrounds
Nick, now the Waterloo Middle School principal, went on to play center for the Heidelberg College football team.
Paul, who coaches the Poland High team, played football at Muskingum College before transferring to Youngstown State.
Brian's older brother, Nick, played football for Canfield.
Brian is majoring in education and has a 3.0 grade-point average.
He said he picked Villanova because of the coaches and the school's academic reputation.
"It's a really good academic school," said Hulea, who liked the coaches on his visit there.
"I think it was the coaching staff [that impressed me]." he recalled. And, "They get after you, but I think they definitely care for the players on the team."
Angelo with team
Also with the Villanova team is John Angelo, a freshman linebacker from Ursuline High.
As of last week, Villanova still had slight hopes for a postseason playoff berth.
"We have an outside shot to make the playoffs," said Hulea.
Villanova ends its regular season Saturday at Delaware.