CEDAR FALLS – At the beginning of fall camp, Duncan Ferch’s future as a linebacker for the Northern Iowa football team was really unknown. There were plenty of skill players, both young and veteran, eyeing for that starter spot at middle linebacker.

Early in August, Ferch talked with the press at the Panthers’ media day about what he thought it would take for him to become that starter.

“Everyone’s hungry. Everyone wants to be in the starting spot,” Ferch said. “So you’ve got to bring it every day. I just have to bring energy every day, every practice, not taking reps off. I’ve got to fly around so they see it on film.”

When the Panthers travel down the road on Friday – and past his hometown of State Center – to Ames for Saturday’s season opener against Iowa State, Ferch will be that guy; he’ll be the starting middle linebacker for the UNI Panthers.

Questions loomed for head coach Mark Farley and his staff, about the defense and its ability to replace players like Makinton Dorleant (Green Bay Packers defensive back), Deiondre’ Hall (Chicago Bears defensive back) and 2015 tackles leader (123) Brett McMakin.

Ferch, who was 17th on the team with 13 total tackles (10 unassisted), will join teamed, former roommate and friend Jared Farley and senior D’Shawn Dexter as the three starting linebackers for the Panthers on Saturday.

Ferch, a sophomore, joins just two other underclassmen starters on defense: redshirt freshman Hezekiah Applegate at defensive end, and sophomore Bryce Douglas at defensive tackle.

During camp, Mark Farley said the biggest key for Ferch to earning the starting job was to be noticed; to make big plays, either on the field or to be seen on tape, to show he’s consistently capable to doing the job.

“When he gets the opportunity, make the play,” Farley said. “He’s been the ‘who’s that’ in moments that got him this far. And he’s in position right now to take the next step. It’s just like anything. If they know they have to consistently make plays, not just one on Monday and then make another one next Friday, you got to make one every day.”

Coach Farley talked many times during his news conference at the Panthers’ media day of the importance of being a “who’s that?” guy on tape. Meaning, to be one of those “who’s that?” players is to be someone who’s caught his eye. But the trick is, being that kind of player, day in and day out, on and off the field.

“The more consistency, the more you’ll see the field and become that starter,” Farley said. “Honestly, what he needs is the opportunity so he can keep making those plays. And when he gets them, he’s got to make those plays. He’s at that point in his career where he just needs that chance to show where he’s at, and let him take it over after that.”

Being named a starter this early in the season should and shouldn’t come as a surprise to many. While he’s fairly young in his career, Ferch has positioned himself to be a top prospect for the role. He’ll be the main play-caller on defense, while also being the glue that holds the team together while battling the opposing offense.

It’s a job Jared Farley said Ferch has been fitted, groomed and is now ready for.

Their freshman year, Jared and Ferch roomed together, doing everything from destroying large pizzas and watching NFL games on Sundays to battling for positions during practices throughout the week. It’s a bond that’s grown stronger as each year passes by.

“He’s a great guy. Easy going, hang out of him and have a great time,” Jared Farley said. “We’re all friends off the field. Go out to dinner, hang out with each other. But on the field we’re competing, trying to push each other and make each other better.”

For Jared, he isn’t surprised by the progress Ferch has made in just a couple years’ time. As a smart, heads-up kind of player, Ferch should be ready to take on the defensive toll in 2016, in Jared’s eyes.

“He’s progressed really fast,” Jared said. “He moved there last spring and just picked up on stuff really fast. He’s a quick learner, knows the playbook already and is a great player. There’s been a lot of question marks with the defense and the DBs, but we’ll see how things shake out. We’ll get out there and try to win some games for us.”

Running back turned linebacker

In 2013, Ferch was second in Class 2A in rushing yards, going for 2,010 – one of just three 2,000-yard rushers that season. He tied for the second-best average in the state, with 10.3 yards per carry.

Only Marcus Weymiller of Waukon – now a wide receiver for the Panthers – had more at 10.5 per carry.

If his Twitter handle is any indication of the kind of player he is – @Utility32 – Ferch will fit in just fine as a defensive starter for the Panthers.

“That’s exactly what we recruit in linebackers; the best athletes on football teams,” Mark Farley said of Ferch’s transition. “We turn them into linebackers. We have Duncan Ferch, who we recruited as one of the best running backs in the state of Iowa. When we have really good linebackers, they were either quarterbacks and running backs in high school.”

Ferch said his redshirt season in 2014 helped him immensely prepare for the starter job, giving him time to grow stronger and learn more about the position.

“It helped a lot last year, because I grew at linebacker,” Ferch said. “My first time was my freshman year in the spring when I got moved there. And that year really helped and it helps having the Farleys, Jared and coach Farley played the position. So they both help me grow, still, every day.”

Being a transition player has paved an opportunity for the starting sophomore. Ferch said being a running back in high school gives you just the kind of advantage you would assume.

“You can think what the running back’s going to do, like what you would do in that situation,” Ferch said. “When they’re going to cut back, when they’re going to bounce outside. Stuff like that.”

Three years ago, Ferch was a starting running back for the West Marshall football team, with goals set on playing at the next level. Three weeks ago, Ferch was a linebacker doing everything he could to earn a starting spot on the Northern Iowa football team.

In three days, Ferch will run out in front of 61,500 fans, 30 miles from where he grew up, having accomplished that goal.