Elijah Eche’s breakout junior season established him as one of Westbury’s defensive leaders.
Now, after earning Defensive MVP honors in 5A-1 Region III, District 10, and spending the offseason refining his game with one of Houston’s top linebacker trainers, former Texas A&M and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Donnie Baggs, Eche enters his senior season looking to turn his individual development into a district championship for the Huskies.
The 6-foot, 220-pound senior, a three-year varsity player, began his varsity career as an edge rusher as a sophomore and moved to middle linebacker as a junior.
“The biggest adjustment I had to make after switching from edge to linebacker was analyzing the whole field,” said Eche. “At the edge position, I had to read what was just in front of me, but at the linebacker position, I have to read the play from pre-snap until the ball is in play.”
Watching film helped Eche learn the linebacker position quickly. One of the players he enjoyed studying was former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly.
“Film is one of the biggest things that has helped me improve my game,” said Eche. “I remember Luke Kuechly saying to play the game in your mind while watching, so that when it’s game time, you know what is going to come.”
The transition quickly paid off, as Eche developed into one of the district’s most productive defenders, recording 126 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six hurries, and six sacks while earning Defensive MVP honors.
“I’m most proud of the overall outcome of playing a different position and dominating it,” said Eche. “Earning Defensive MVP meant a lot, knowing where my skills were at the time.”
Westbury head football coach Jarvis Kelley believes Eche’s ability to make an impact in multiple ways sets him apart from other defenders in the district.
“Elijah Eche works extremely hard during the off-season,” said Kelley. “What separates Elijah is his versatility. He is an elite blitzer and has the ability to play off the edge.”
Even after an award-winning season, Eche knew there were still areas of his game that needed improvement. That led him to Baggs, who helped him further develop his skills during the offseason.
“I decided to work with coach Baggs because I heard a lot of great things,” said Eche. “He was highly recommended. He works with linebackers at all levels of the game, which shows he’s very credible.”
The offseason work with Baggs focused on footwork, eye discipline, block destruction, and getting downhill.
“Coach Baggs described me as a bull in a china shop, just running and trying to run over linemen coming after me,” said Eche. “But after working with him, I learned to use my hands, get separation, and replace after.”
Baggs also emphasized the importance of using his hands to help Eche develop into a more complete linebacker.
“Watching his tape, I noticed his physicality,” said Baggs. “He has an old-school style of play that’s always needed at the LB position. He’s a physical, downhill player with a mean streak.”
Baggs saw the tools Eche already had and helped him refine them into a more complete skill set.
“Working with coach Baggs changed how I get to the ball, making it easier, taking better angles, being more disruptive, and taking better care of my body,” said Eche.
While Baggs helped Eche become a more effective and disciplined linebacker, there were still areas of his game that required improvement.
“I’m most proud of the overall outcome of playing a different position and dominating it,” said Elijah Eche.
“Eche’s biggest areas for improvement were his lateral movement and change of direction,” said Baggs. “Those skills are huge in today’s style of play. Linebackers have to do more than stop the run; they have to be players in the pass game as well.”
The offseason work wasn’t simply about making Eche a better player. It also helped prepare him to become a bigger presence on Westbury’s defense.
“Freshman year, Elijah was 5-foot-8, 168 pounds. Now he is 6-foot, 220 pounds,” said Kelley. “Elijah lives in the weight room, studies film daily, and calls the defense from the middle of the field. He understands his opponents’ weaknesses and has mastered our defensive scheme.”
His development has also made him a more vocal presence in Westbury’s defense.
“Being a leader on this defense, to me, means I need to do my job to get us going,” said Eche. “From making plays to keeping my teammates focused and reminding them that the game is never over until the clock hits zero.”
Eche’s individual goals ultimately lead back to one larger objective: winning 5A-1 Region III District 10 and making a deeper run toward a state championship.
“For Westbury to win the district championship this season, we need to be a well-disciplined team that doesn’t let up after a mistake, but instead capitalizes, learns from it, and does something great on the next play,” said Eche.
For Kelley, having Eche at the center of Westbury’s defense gives the Huskies the leadership and experience needed to turn those goals into a successful season.
“Having Elijah as the leader of our defense gives us a great chance to win each week and to have a special season this year,” said Kelley. “After a history-making regular season last year, he and his teammates are poised to take the next step and win in the postseason. We carry a (1-0) mentality each week and are excited for the rest of this season.”
