When thinking about the production of linebackers in Calgary over the past few years it’s simple to see there has been an abundance of success.

From Alex Singleton to Cory Greenwood, Wynton McManis to Jameer Thurman, the Red and White have a knack for finding talent to fill the heart of their defence.

When analyzing each individual season however, there’s pretty much been a different face every year.

Since 2018, there has been a new starter at the middle linebacker position each year. From 2017 to 2022, the weak-side linebacker position has seen a different starter every season.

This off-season there was concern amongst some of the Calgary faithful about who would replace veteran Jameer Thurman at the mike position after he chose to head east and inked a contract in The Hammer during free agency.

Three days later the Red and White signed seasoned MLB Micah Awe who has spent time with five other CFL teams in his six-year career.

And it hasn’t taken long for him to fill those shoes.

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The Texas Tech alum is notorious for hard hits and has always had a nose for tackles, but only four games into the 2023 campaign he tops the league in defensive tackles with 37 and defensive plays with 42.

To put it in perspective, Awe had 31 tackles in seven games during his 2018 season with the Lions, 44 tackles in 10 games played with the Argos in 2019, 74 tackles with the Redblacks in 2021 where he dressed for all 14 games, and finally 47 tackles in 12 games played last year with the Alouettes.

To Awe’s right, National linebacker Cameron Judge is picking up right where he left off last season.

In his second tour of duty with Calgary, Judge leads the team in picks with two. In only 20 games played with the Red and White, he has four interceptions.

That compares with two interceptions in 47 career appearances for Saskatchewan and Toronto before being acquired in a trade by the Stampeders in February of 2022.

Howsare ➡️ Judge 🧑‍⚖️: INT#CFLGameday | @calstampeders pic.twitter.com/oi42pcihqw

— CFL (@CFL) June 25, 2023

In 2022, he also recorded five fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, two touchdowns, and led the CFL in big defensive plays with 11. The UCLA alum was the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Canadian.

For defensive coordinator Brent Monson, who’s in his 14th season as a coach with the team, he’s not surprised that Awe and Judge have continued the line of success that their predecessors set.

“Honestly, it’s because of them,” explained Monson. “I feel like the work they put in with (linebackers coach) Coach (Bob) Slowik and the amount of effort and time they spend on their preparation is kudos to them.

“I don’t really think there’s some secret. The guys that have been here have always been hard workers, they’ve been professionals, they put in the extra time in the gym and their studies.

“It’s been a pattern of great people working here.”

When Judge and Awe are asked about the secret to their success, their answers always lead back to the DC.

“I have to give credit to Monson,” said Judge. “He’s always putting me in situations that I can excel at and uses me to my strengths. It puts me in a position to make those plays.”

The respect for coach and player goes both ways, with neither side willing to take the credit for the defensive production.

“Working with Coach Slow and working beside Judge, he’s been able to have success here and he’s doing what we ask and doing the extra little things,” said Monson, pleased with his new MLB’s work ethic. “He’s a true pro and he’s come here to work and that’s why his results are showing on the field.”

And his analysis of Judge is simple:

“Cam’s just a really good football player. He does the same stuff. He does all the extra work that he has with Coach Slow since he got here. They’re out there doing extra work before practice and doing the extra film study. He’s similar to Micah, they just come in and they’re locked in all the time and getting better every day.”

His final comment of his LB duo?

“Ballhawks.”

On Saturday, the pair of linebackers will be tasked with containing QB Trevor Harris and the Riders run game before preparing for a home date with the Ottawa Redblacks on Sunday, July 23. You can buy your tickets to the Family Day game here.