Roster going into the summer: The linebacker group is going to be drastically different than what you would have thought after last season. The linebacker group will be without several players that were projected to play LB in the 3-4 scheme. But now that the 4-3 is now the defense there has been some shifting of players.
Here is the list expected to play linebacker:
Gavin Potter
Taiwan Berryhill
Rich Miller
Alonso Person
Krishawn Brown
Dylan Downing
James Wright (moved to LB)
Cole Mondi
Nick Channel
Jay Dineen
Cole Petrus
Nate Betts
Strengths and Weaknesses: Linebackers coach Chris Simpson will have his work cut out for him. Gone from the linebacker group last year are Kyron Johnson and Steven Parker and D'Marion Alexander will start off as a DE. There is still no news on Trey Staley who was one of the more talented players signed in the 2021 class. It also hurt losing Andrew Simpson who was released from his LOI and signed with Boise State.
In terms of players with experience that leaves Potter 426 snaps, Dineen 126, Berryhill 50, and Brown 4 snaps as the only players with returning playing time. Rich Miller transferred in from Buffalo where he played 111 snaps and graded out by PFF as the best tackler on the entire Buffalo defense.
The player I have heard has the most upside is Taiwan Berryhill, he just needs more experience. This is the year Potter needs to step up his performance and leadership. He's been in the program long enough and will have to look over the position group.
One interesting move is James Wright to linebacker. He's got the frame to grow into a linebacker and that's the position he played a lot in high school. Betts also made the move from safety to linebacker this spring.
The weakness is the fact you can't look at the list and name your three starters. Someone is going to have to step up in fall camp. The 4-3 is going to play three, traditional linebackers so they will need to 5-6 LBs who they can count on. I'm just shooting this straight, the weaknesses are bigger than the strengths as I look at this group heading into the summer.
The Outlook: There is concern for the short term and optimism for the long term. This year may be a work in progress as they develop players without much experience in a new system. I can tell you that Chris Simpson understands the program and knows the patience it will take. This is a long haul mentality these guys are bringing and they know it won't be an overnight fix. If Brown and Berryhill can continue to develop and Miller can help with the transition there are players with potential. Channel was a positive in some games and showed a lot of toughness playing through injuries. Just going to need to patient and see what players can develop and turn into consistent guys on the field.
Betts made the move to linebacker in the spring and will help a lot with depth.
Here is the list expected to play linebacker:
Gavin Potter
Taiwan Berryhill
Rich Miller
Alonso Person
Krishawn Brown
Dylan Downing
James Wright (moved to LB)
Cole Mondi
Nick Channel
Jay Dineen
Cole Petrus
Nate Betts
Strengths and Weaknesses: Linebackers coach Chris Simpson will have his work cut out for him. Gone from the linebacker group last year are Kyron Johnson and Steven Parker and D'Marion Alexander will start off as a DE. There is still no news on Trey Staley who was one of the more talented players signed in the 2021 class. It also hurt losing Andrew Simpson who was released from his LOI and signed with Boise State.
In terms of players with experience that leaves Potter 426 snaps, Dineen 126, Berryhill 50, and Brown 4 snaps as the only players with returning playing time. Rich Miller transferred in from Buffalo where he played 111 snaps and graded out by PFF as the best tackler on the entire Buffalo defense.
The player I have heard has the most upside is Taiwan Berryhill, he just needs more experience. This is the year Potter needs to step up his performance and leadership. He's been in the program long enough and will have to look over the position group.
One interesting move is James Wright to linebacker. He's got the frame to grow into a linebacker and that's the position he played a lot in high school. Betts also made the move from safety to linebacker this spring.
The weakness is the fact you can't look at the list and name your three starters. Someone is going to have to step up in fall camp. The 4-3 is going to play three, traditional linebackers so they will need to 5-6 LBs who they can count on. I'm just shooting this straight, the weaknesses are bigger than the strengths as I look at this group heading into the summer.
The Outlook: There is concern for the short term and optimism for the long term. This year may be a work in progress as they develop players without much experience in a new system. I can tell you that Chris Simpson understands the program and knows the patience it will take. This is a long haul mentality these guys are bringing and they know it won't be an overnight fix. If Brown and Berryhill can continue to develop and Miller can help with the transition there are players with potential. Channel was a positive in some games and showed a lot of toughness playing through injuries. Just going to need to patient and see what players can develop and turn into consistent guys on the field.
Betts made the move to linebacker in the spring and will help a lot with depth.
