DaytonDailyNews.com

OXFORD — Caleb Bostic said he tries not to dwell too much on Miami University's tradition of dominant linebackers.

It is difficult not to notice the names on the pictures on the wall inside Yager Stadium — names like Bob Babich, Kent McCormick, Curt McMillan, Dee Osborne, JoJuan Armour and others.

"I try not to think about it," said Bostic, Miami's 6-foot-3, 225-pound sophomore linebacker, "but I appreciate the tradition here. But I try just to come to practice every day, learning what I can."

He must be a fast learner. Bostic is having an All-Mid-American Conference type of year.

Bostic, who played in 11 games as a true freshman, made his presence known in the starting lineup right from the start this year, ripping through the Ball State Cardinals for 17 tackles in Miami's 14-13 season-opening victory.

It was a sign of things to come.

Bostic ranks first on the team and sixth in the MAC in tackles for loss, and he's second among the RedHawks and eighth in the MAC in total tackles. This despite the fact that he plays on a linebacking corps that already boasts two of the best in the conference in Joey Hudson and Clayton Mullins.

The first-year starter from Westland High School outside Columbus might not have been thinking about tradition when he came to Miami, but it's certain the coaches who recruited him were mindful that strong linebackers mean as much to the RedHawks' defense as rain to a rain forest.

When they saw Bostic, a safety and tailback in high school who had just gone through a four-inch growth spurt, they saw a linebacker and a leader.

"The game of football comes naturally for me, and linebacker has been second nature to me since I played it in Pop Warner little league," said Bostic, who switched to defensive back in junior high.

Bostic said he "has always been a leader" and proved it after Miami's defense was scorched by Minnesota, Cincinnati and Colorado for 41, 47 and 42 points, respectively, in consecutive losses.

"I just took it upon myself to keep talking to players, tell them that we could get a lot better," said Bostic, who said he "was hesitant at first because I was so young."

In the three games since Colorado, the RedHawks have not given up more than 14 points.

"It's phenomenal, it's crazy," Bostic said. "I felt like it was a confidence factor. After the Syracuse game, we saw how enthused we could be and how much fun we could have."