GO EAST: San Diego State transfer Oliver seeks greater opportunity at WKU

Dominic Oliver had a pretty sweet setup.

The native of San Jose, California, had moved down the coast to San Diego State to play college football a NorCal guy soaking up that SoCal sun and playing for a traditionally strong program.

Oliver spent four seasons with the Aztecs first a redshirt year in 2021, then three more before he opted to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Surf and sand is one thing, opportunity is another.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound linebacker wanted a clear chance to compete for a starting job with an eye toward continuing his career at the professional level.

Oliver played in 33 games over the past three seasons at San Diego State, totaling 18 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks last year was his most productive, with 15 stops, 2.5 TFLs and a half sack.

With just one season of eligibility left, Oliver felt he needed to make a change.

So when WKU edges/defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey and head coach Tyson Helton came calling after he entered the portal, Oliver was ready to listen.

My dream is to play in the NFL and I wasnt getting an opportunity to start, said Oliver, who prepped at Valley Christian High School in San Jose.

I know youve got to start to get there, so I talked to coach Helton when I hit the portal loved my relationship with him, man of God and I really valued that.

I feel like I can get to my dream here.

...

Super excited, its been a blessing to get out here and play for coach Lindsey, coach Helton and Im really excited.

One good year will change your life, so Im trying to make this be a productive year.

Oliver has that chance at WKU.

Recruited to play the Jack linebacker a sort of hybred linebacker/defensive end focused on rushing the passer, but also capable of pass coverage Oliver thinks joining the Hilltoppers will give him a better shot at showcasing his ability.

He said hes also worked some at Sam (strong side) linebacker in an effort to provide even more options for WKU co-defensive coordinators DaVon Brown and Davis Merritt.

I feel like I fit really well, Oliver said.

Its really similar to my defense at San Diego State.

We run a 4-2-5.

I get a lot of opportunities to cover, but also show that I can rush the passer, so I think its really going to help me with scouts in the future (showing) that Im versatile.

Under former defensive coordinator Tyson Summers, Brown and Merritt were part of a staff that continued a trend of creating turnovers and big plays on the defensive side last year.

That emphasis wont change this season.

I would say we were very multiple last year and well be very multiple this year, Merritt said.

Offenses nowadays, man, youre trying to defend every different thing under the sun.

Our offense gives us a bunch of different problems in practice, so we have to use different schemes and utilize those whether you play pressures, you play coverages ...

whatever it is, were going to have some ammo to try to change it up for those guys too and make it harder on them.

Versatility is a major attribute in the Tops aggressive defensive scheme, which places added value on defenders who dont have to specialize.

Thats one trait the Tops focused on in the portal, but Merritt said theres more to it than just athleticism.

Guys that love ball, being coached hard and want to be physical as well as good people, Merritt said.

I think thats one of the best things that coach (Helton) has done since hes been here.

Yes, weve taken a lot of transfers but weve brought good people in here that want to be here.

And obviously its paid off for us.

Count Oliver among those who very much are glad to be in Bowling Green, even if it was a bit of an adjustment since he arrived on campus in January.

The biggest thing has probably been the weather, Oliver said.

I remember my first time ever seeing snow was out here.

One of my first times hearing a thunderstorm was out here, so a lot of the weather.

But as far as the players and coaches, its been been really easy jelling with them a lot of great guys and its been a lot of fun.

Oliver is focused on making this final season of college football count.

Most importantly, were trying to be the best defense in the conference the best defense in the nation, Oliver said.

Were trying to win a championship.

But individually, Id like to first of all win a starting job and then just be productive hopefully.

I set high goals for myself but I just try to live each and every single day limiting my mistakes, play with high effort and be a guy that the other guys can look up to..

This article has been shared from the original article on bgdailynews, here is the link to the original article.