Former Purdue linebacker Jacob Wahlberg transfers to Western Michigan University

By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON–Mona Shores graduate and former University of Purdue middle linebacker Jacob Wahlberg is transferring to Western Michigan University.

The announcement came on Wednesday afternoon.

The 6-3, 235-pound Wahlberg entered the transfer portal one week ago and had offers from Michigan State, Louisville, West Virginia, Appalachian State along with Cincinnati. He had discussions with other colleges as well, but settled on the Broncos where he will join former Mona Shores linebacker redshirt junior Damari Roberson along with sophomore quarterback Mark Konecny.

“The last week has been a wild one,” said Wahlberg. “Once you enter the portal, your name is in and the text messages and phone calls from coaches never stop, it’s free game. The phone kind of blows up for a while.”

The biggest factor in Wahlberg’s choosing to become a Bronco was being able to play for Western Michigan assistant coach and defensive coordinator Lou Esposito.

“I visited Western Michigan University yesterday (Tuesday),” Wahlberg said on Wednesday evening. “They recruited me out of high school. Coach Esposito and I have always known each other. I trust him and respect him and it’s a defense that I want to be a part of. I know what I am going to get with Coach Esposito.”

Former Purdue linebacker Jacob Wahlberg (Photo courtesy of Purdue Athletics)

Moving on to the Broncos puts Wahlberg in a 4-3 defensive scheme versus what the new Purdue coaching staff was implementing with a 5-1 defensive look.

“The Purdue defense was going to be defensive back centered and my whole career I have been involved with a 4-3 defense and that is the type of defense that I am fit for,” he said.

It’s going to be a change, for sure, going from the Big Ten to the Mid-American Conference.

“It’s definitely going to be a little different,” he said. “But I have always wanted to be close to home and I’ll have that opportunity here, and hopefully Damari and I will be the starting middle linebackers. I know that I have to still go in and work hard and earn that starting spot and win the job.”

So Wahlberg’s summer will be a busy one.

“I still have to go back to Purdue and move out,” he said. “I’ve got to get some academic and medical stuff done and then get over to Western and learn the playbook and get to know the guys and that will happen sooner rather than later.”

Wahlberg will have two years of eligibility remaining. Last season at Purdue, he had 41 tackles along with one interception.

“I was able to play a lot of really good football, it was a good season,” Wahlberg said. “A lot of hard work really paid off.”

Last season, Western Michigan finished with 5-7 overall record, 4-4 in the MAC.

Heading into this season, there is a coaching change in Kalamazoo.

Lance Taylor was named the head coach of the Dec. 8, 2022, becoming the 17th head coach in program history.

Taylor, 41, arrives to Kalamazoo after spending the 2022 season as the offensive coordinator at the University of Louisville. He’s also coached at Notre Dame.

After opening up with a home game against St. Francis University at Waldo Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 31, the Broncos have a tough road ahead before heading into MAC play. They will play teams Wahlberg knows about from his days at Purdue. Western will make road trips to Syracuse, Iowa and Mississippi State.