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DECORAH, Nov 07, 2009 (The Gazette - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- You can go from quarterback to wide receiver. Ask Iowa's Marvin McNutt.

You can beef up and move from defensive end to defensive tackle. That's been done.

But turning yourself into an all-conference inside linebacker and the nation's leading tackler after spending a season at free safety is impossible.

OK, no it's not.

Kyle McGivney has made that transformation in amazing style. The Luther junior is tied with Wisconsin-Oshkosh's James Taraboi with 114 tackles, an average of 14.25 per game -- tops in NCAA Division III.

Last week against Wartburg, McGivney made a whopping 23 stops, including three and a half for loss, and caused a fumble. D3football.com named him to its team of the week.

Again, he was a safety a season ago.

"I didn't know about (leading the country in tackles) until about two days ago, when one of our coaches said something to me," McGivney said. "I'm pretty excited about it, actually. I don't know, it's one of those things where, yeah, it's nice, but it's everybody, you know? It's our linemen doing a great job and keeping me free, so I can make tackles." And tackles and tackles and tackles. A 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior from Apple River, Ill., which is close to Galena, McGivney was recruited as a linebacker but got moved to safety because of need.

He was third on the team in tackles in 2008 and had three interceptions. Luther's coaches approached him over the winter about going back to 'backer, and he practiced there in spring ball.

"He has good size, and he was a very physical football player," Luther Coach Mike Durnin said.

"Last year, we had to find a way to try and get our best 11 guys on the field.

"Kyle has done a very nice job all year ... He has adapted very well, and he's a pleasure to work with. He's got a great motor. He plays every play 100 percent." McGivney didn't play as a freshman because of a broken foot incurred his senior basketball season at Warren High School, so he has two more seasons of playing eligibility. He said he plans to use them.

He also said his injury may actually have been a boon to his career.

"It made me a better player," he said. "It gave me an opportunity to lift weights and be prepared to get the chance to do the things I want to do." Luther (4-4) plays today at Dubuque.

-- Comments: (319) 398-8259 or jeff.johnson@gazcomm.com

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Jeff Johnson

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