FARGO, N.D.--Like a number of the players for North Dakota State University, Esley Thorton is looking to take advantage of the 2013 spring football practice.

His circumstances are a little different than most. He made the switch from quarterback to linebacker in August 2012. Thorton played in 10 games in 2012 with 15 tackles including seven solos and 0.5 sacks.

The spring offers more teachable moments.

"I'm definitely more comfortable coming into spring practice. Coming into the spring I have a base to work from. I am able to focus more on what we are doing as a defense," said Thorton, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior from Bismarck, N.D.

"I think you evaluate yourself in the fall. You can always pick out things, weaknesses. You want to work on your weaknesses. You want to make yourself better for the next season."

Thorton certainly knows about evaluation and breaking things down. He maintains a 3.870 grade point average majoring in exercise science and received the 2012 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) NCAA Elite 89 Academic Award last Jan. 4.

The Elite 89 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA championships.

"Esley has taken advantage of every rep he has had this spring," said NDSU head coach Craig Bohl.

Thorton, who had a season-high 4 solo tackles at South Dakota on Oct. 20, is looking forward to seeing more reps heading into the spring game at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Gate City Bank Field in the Fargodome.