San Antonio Toros Linebackers: Coach Alex Bentrem’s Pack Is Built for Chaos
The San Antonio Toros are back in the Continental Football League, and if you’re an offensive coordinator in the league right now, the middle of the field just got a lot less friendly.
Leading the linebacker group is first-year LB coach Alex Bentrem. Bentrem arrives with more than a decade of coaching experience and a proven track record in player development at both the college and high-school levels. Most recently, he served as Defensive Coordinator at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he helped shape a physical, disciplined Rangers defense. Before that, he coached linebackers and served as the program’s academic coordinator, working directly under legendary coach Jerry Glanville. Bentrem knows how to build linebackers who can run, hit, and think—and he’s bringing that exact blueprint to San Antonio.
Coach Bentrems Thoughts
Coach Bentrem was gracious enough to provide SA Snap Count with the following quotes when asked about his linebacker group heading into training camp:
Giovanni Williams
“Giovanni is like lightning in a bottle—quick, explosive, and fearless. His ability to change direction and control his body makes him a problem for any ballcarrier in space. He plays without hesitation, and that kind of speed and aggression is going to disrupt run games across the league.”
Jaylan Alexander
“Jaylan plays like a dog that just got let off the chain—relentless, explosive, and always on the attack. His size paired with the speed he plays with makes him a tough matchup for any offensive lineman. Right or wrong, he’s going to find a way to the football. And when he gets there, you’re going to feel it. Whether it’s in space or between the tackles, his ability to find the ball and deliver a big hit is going to bring an edge to our defense every snap. He keeps the game simple and plays violent.”
Jamoi Hodge
“Jamoi is as pure a linebacker as you’ll find. He has the ability to control the defense and slow the game down, which allows everyone around him to play faster. He’s an extremely secure tackler—his size and change of direction make it tough for any ballcarrier to escape. He knows how to corner and finish, but when the opportunity presents itself, he brings real physicality to the hit.”
Isaiah Brooks
“Isaiah is a complete linebacker who does a little bit of everything at a high level. He has a great feel for the game, consistently finds the football, and does a great job staying clean through traffic. What really separates him is his ability in coverage—he has the speed and hips to match up man-to-man, and his awareness in zone makes quarterbacks hesitate. His football intelligence shows up every snap, especially in how he reads concepts and puts himself in position to make plays.”
Durand Hill
“Durand is the kind of player offenses have to account for every snap. He’s been the ‘hero’ on scouting reports for a reason—he’s a problem all over the field with true big-play ability. He can take it out of the air, force turnovers, and if you’re careless with the ball, he can take it the distance. He’s just a complete football player, and having him at linebacker allows him to impact the game in a lot of different ways.”
But Wait, There’s More!
That’s already a loaded room. But the Toros aren’t done.
The team is expected to sign Isaiah Paul, a three-year starter at the University of the Incarnate Word and a San Antonio native who played his high-school ball at Brennan. Bringing a local product back home who already knows the city, the heat, and the Friday-night atmosphere only adds to the excitement. Paul’s length, instincts, and coverage ability should fit seamlessly into Bentrem’s system and give the Toros even more depth and versatility at the position.
Philosophy
Bentrem’s philosophy is simple: play fast, play physical, and make the offense feel you on every single snap. With this mix of explosive athletes, instinctive veterans, and a hometown kid ready to prove himself in front of the home crowd, the Toros’ linebacker corps looks ready to live up to the blue-collar, hard-hitting identity the franchise has carried since 1967.
San Antonio, the middle of the field belongs to the Toros.
Stay locked in with SA Snap Count as training camp ramps up. This defense is going to be fun to watch. And if you want to see the action in person, get your tickets now https://tickets.cofltoros.com/