Bear Down Wildcats

Here is a SB Nation article on our linebacker situation entering camp.

We do know that DeAndre' Miller is playing that hybrid defensive end/linebacker position that Yates used back at Boise State called the Stud. And behind him will likely be true freshman Kahi Neves, who enrolled early and joined the team this spring. Then Paul Magloire will shore up one of the two designated linebacker spots.

That last spot seems to be up for grabs. Maybe a battle between Matthews and Barton, or Ippolito for a short yardage situation. Or, perhaps, it is Vaughn or Cobb, maybe even the Iowa transfer John Kenny, who steps up this season into that role.

Not any real news in the article, but it did prompt me to think we should have a thread on each position group.

Here are the LBs currently on the roster:

Starting Experience (6)
Matthews (14)
Deandre' Miller (9)
Paul Magloire Jr. (8)
Ippolito (6)
Michael Barton (6 at Cal)
RJ Morgan (1)

Returning (6)
Brandon Rutt
Jamardre Cobb
Alex King
John Kenny
Matthew Stagg
Marquis Ware

Newcomers (5)
Jalen Cochran
Jacob Colacion
Francisco Nelson
Kahi Neves
Carrington Vaughn

Here is depth chart from the base defense Coach Yates ran last year at Boise State:

DE
NT
DT
Stud (Hybrid linebacker/DE)
Will LB
Mike LB
Nickel
CB
S
FS
CB

Even though the defense is referred to as a 4-2-5 it looks like a LB will fill the Stud position on the line. So we have to fill out 3 starting LBs. Likely leaders to play:

Stud - Miller (probably the only lock in the group), Neves (based on the above article)
Will - Magloire (I still think he may end up as a Nickel if needed), Barton, Morgan
Mike - Matthews, Ippolito, Tyler

I have no confidence that this will be the final depth chart. Cobb, Kenny or Ware may jump up the depth chart under the new staff/system and who knows what will happen with the newcomers to the team.

The stud is the WDE which doesn't necessarily need a LB to play there. You need the fastest and most athletic lineman to play there. It requires speed over size, little coaching, and often going unblocked. Miller might fit there well. I'd try Marquis Ware there. Even Zellers can fit there and at NT.

Tre Tyler is no longer on the roster.

http://arizona.247sports.com/Bolt/RichR ... b-46733780" target="_blank

Considering how little they have played, few players attract as much attention from fans as Marquis Ware and Jamardre Cobb. The two linebackers came in as highly touted recruits but have done little on the field.

Rich Rodriguez was asked by the media about where the two were in terms of their development and position on the depth chart.

“They are somewhere, they are not in the two-deep,” Rodriguez admitted.

ouch

Pac-12 position unit rankings: Defensive front sevens

http://www.espn.com/blog/pac12/post/_/i ... ont-sevens" target="_blank

1. Washington
2. UCLA
3. Utah
4. Stanford
5. Arizona State
6. Washington State
7. Colorado
8. USC

9. Arizona: The Wildcats' defense will certainly look different under new coordinator Marcel Yates. They have some valuable pieces at linebacker, starting with Paul Magloire Jr., who has quietly established himself as one of the most versatile defensive players in the Pac-12. There's experience in front of that unit, highlighted by lineman Sani Fuimaono. If Arizona can stay healthy here this time around, there's a good chance they'll climb this list.

10. California
11. Oregon
12. Oregon State

10, 11, and 12 must be really bad.

SBN with a story on the linebackers. They have Jalen Cochran as a linebacker, but he has been moved on the roster to defensive line.

Merkin wrote:http://arizona.247sports.com/Bolt/RichR ... b-46733780

Considering how little they have played, few players attract as much attention from fans as Marquis Ware and Jamardre Cobb. The two linebackers came in as highly touted recruits but have done little on the field.

Rich Rodriguez was asked by the media about where the two were in terms of their development and position on the depth chart.

“They are somewhere, they are not in the two-deep,” Rodriguez admitted.

And Tre Tyler is back on the roster.

Ippolito is listed as a senior. Does he get another year because he's missed 2 years with injuries?

Ippolito is out for the season with a torn acl. "There is a chance that Ippolito applies for a sixth year of eligibility, but Rodriguez wasn’t sure if the team would apply for the waiver, and said no decision can be made until after the season. Cody’s long-term health would be the primary concern for letting him apply for that sixth year in college." - AZdesertswarm.com

That really sucks for Ippo. He's been a solid competitor and contributor. I remember thinking he was a bulldog and just sort of a freebie to come with the Davonte' Neal (non)commitment package, and he's turned out to be the more valuable player. Wish him well.