Here are the current linebackers on the roster:
We are adding one more linebacker this year, Kendal Franklin, who is a 6-3, 240 Freshman from New Orleans.
That gives us 17 total linebackers and ties the offensive line as the largest position group on the team. This group is full of talent, experience and potential and quite a big change from 2012 when the coaches had to turn to a Freshman walk-on to find a starting linebacker.
Right now, Scooby Wright is the only guaranteed starter in the group. He will probably start at the Mike (middle) backer, but depending on match-ups and situations has also been used as the Sam (strong side) backer or a defensive end. Coach Rod has said that he hopes to use Scooby less on the D-line this year, but we will see if he really does that with his best pass rusher. What we can count on is that if it is a critical down Scooby will be on the field.
The open question is who will be the other 2 to 3 starters? The coaches won't even know until we get into camp, but here is one way to look at the competition.
Players with starting experience. Derrick Turituri (27 games, 8 starts), Jake Matthews (19 games, 6 starts), Cody Ippolito (21 games, 6 starts), and Sir Thomas Jackson (25 games, 12 starts). Matthews is the fastest of the group and the most likely to start at Will (weak side) backer, while Turituri and Ippolito are big, strong guys who will be competing for the Sam or Mike (when Scooby is on the line). Jackson is likely to be a reserve linebacker.
Players with game experience. DeAndre' Miller (16 games), Antonio Smothers (9 games) and Haden Gregory (6 games). Miller was injured in the 3rd game last year and Smothers is a highly rated JC transfer who was learning the system last year. Both could be positioned for breakout seasons and earning starting spots. I honestly don't know enough about either to say their most likely position. Gregory is likely to be a reserve linebacker.
First year players. Jamardre Cobb, Marquis Ware, and Kendal Franklin. Both Cobb and Ware were highly recruited, from the same high school, and redshirted last year. The question is, were they able to learn the system and get physically prepared during their redshirt year? Franklin is the only true Freshman among the linebackers and will be the only one with no experience in the system. All 3 have the talent to start, but are probably a year away from competing for a spot. Cobb and Ware should be key parts of the rotation and Franklin is likely to redshirt.
The long shots. Kevin Hamlett, Alex King, RJ Morgan, Brandon Rutt, Jason Sweet and Tre Tyler. All 6 of these guys were on the scout team last year and Morgan is the only one on scholarship. They are unlikely to earn a starting spot and will be fighting to make the linebacker rotation or gain playing time on special teams.
