Thorton Moved to Linebacker | Video

Lee Timmerman | 8/20/2012

It`s not often one of the most talked about position battles in fall camp is back-up quarterback. Brock Jensen is back after leading North Dakota State to the national championship. Bismarck High`s Esley Thorton and Century`s Carson Wentz were in a very close battle to be Jensen`s back-up.

Wentz won the position. In this mornings practice, Thorton was playing outside linebacker. Thorton says the move was a little sudden but knew it could happen.

"Kind of out of left field and the best thing I can do right now. I competed to the most of my ability with the quarterback position and saw that through in the spring and fall and carson ended up getting the two spot so I felt I have to have some ability to find myself on the field somewhere and being the third string quarterback is not quite that position so I knew to help the team and to benefit myself to get on the field I need to make a change."

"It was a mutual discussion but I told him in my office and we had a great conversation and the competitive spirit that Esley has was shown by his attitude and embracing this change," said coach Craig Bohl.

Bohl says Thorton will be on special teams and back-up Carlton Littlejohn at the Sam linebacker spot. Esley weighs about 208 making him a little undersized right now.

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