Enter Royal Whitaker and Maximum Pierre, the pair of true freshmen that has helped to revitalize the SIU linebacking corps and looks to play a big role on defense when the Dawgs play host to Western Illinois Saturday at McAndrew Stadium.

“With four or five linebackers we lost last year, we were very concerned,” said SIU linebackers coach Tom Matukewicz. “When [Whitaker and Pierre] came in, right away we knew they could help us win immediately.”

That’s exactly what they have done. Pierre, who has seen action in all five SIU games, has picked up five solo tackles and has even returned a kickoff.

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The 6-foot, 215-pound Whitaker has so far had a bigger impact than his freshman cohort. Whitaker has totaled 10 tackles and two interceptions, one of which he returned 50 yards for a touchdown against West Virginia Tech.

Junior linebacker Eric Egan can attest to how impressive the two freshmen have looked this season.

“They’ve come along really well from day one,” Egan said. “They’re both really smart linebackers and they’re a whole lot further ahead of the game than I thought they would be.”

Egan played alongside Scott all last season and said it was a big adjustment going from competing with a future pro to becoming the mentor for a couple of freshmen.

“Last year, I had guys that I was trying to match their intensity,” Egan said. “Like with Bart [Scott], trying to bring my level to his level. This year I’ve kind of helped [Whitaker and Pierre] bring their level to mine.

“They’re doing great, and I’m trying to get better every week, just kind of show them the way that past guys like Bart showed me.”

That close-knit bond formed among his players is more than just a learning aide. It was the biggest reason that both Whitaker and Pierre chose to come to SIU.

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Both players were heavily recruited by more prominent programs, including Northern Iowa, Pittsburg State and Kansas. Yet, the one thing SIU had that none of those schools could match was team chemistry.

“I visited a lot of schools and the teammates weren’t that cool,” Pierre said, “but over here everybody’s friends. Everybody’s got each other’s back. I like the atmosphere.”

The fact that the two players are coming into the program together has been an added bonus. Both players have gotten along well, especially since they play the same position.

“It’s really nice, because you have somebody else that’s like you that you can relate to,” Whitaker said. “If you’re not catching on as fast as you need to you can go to them and ask questions. We definitely help each other out.”

As the Salukis prepare to take on the Leathernecks and begin their Gateway Conference season, the two freshmen realize that the remaining seven games have extra importance.

They also know that they are going to have to play less like freshmen and more like seasoned veterans.

The fact that Whitaker and Pierre are only freshmen bodes well for the future of the Saluki defense. Right now, the two players simply are focusing on getting the chance to start, which Whitaker did last week against Eastern Michigan.

Right now they are still considered the low men on the totem pole, but soon, the pair will be looked up to as team leaders.

“It’s one of those things where this year’s going to be tough,” Matukewicz said. “But as the years go, it’s just going to be easier and easier and pretty soon they’ll run themselves.”

Matukewicz had trouble picking a better player between the two. He said Whitaker probably had more knowledge of the linebacker position, but in terms of size and speed, he gave the nod to the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Pierre.

He said he would not want to have to choose one over the other and he thinks what the two of them are doing right now, as a tandem, is something people don’t get to see often.

“There’s not a lot of true freshmen starting in the Gateway at linebacker,” Matukewicz said. “For those two to go through it together ought to be pretty special.”

Reporter Todd Merchant can be reached at [email protected]