How Are Your Linebackers?

[GeauxTo]

What are your linebackers like for the 2005 season? The linebacker position at LSU is likely the weakest link of the team. At the end of Spring practice three seniors, Ken Hollis, Cameron Vaughn and E.J. Kuale, were listed as the starters and I believe they are quality linebackers, but they will be pushed very hard by sophomores Luke Sanders, Ali Highsmith and true freshman Darry Beckwith. It is very possible that Sanders, Highsmith and Beckwith will be starting or playing as much or more than Hollis, Vaughn and Kuale by mid-season. Luke Sanders (6’4”, 230, S0) was having an outstanding Spring before aggravating the shoulder that he separated last season just when he was coming on strong. Highsmith (6’1”, 225, S0) was also sidelined part of Spring practice with minor injuries. Sanders and Highsmith both have the size and speed to become outstanding college linebackers. Darry Beckwith (6’1”, 225) from Baton Rouge's Parkview Baptist has all the tools to be a great linebacker the next four years at LSU. I know that I am going out on a limb by building up a player coming straight out of high school who has never played a single play in college. Quinn Johnson (6’2”, 230, RSFR), Dominic Cooper (6’4”, 220, SO) and Jason Spadoni (6’0”, 220, SR) will also be in the mix for playing time. Spadoni was moved from running back to linebacker late in the Spring and the move might turn out to be a great one. Also impressive in the Spring was Coy Henderson (6’1”, 215), who is a transfer from a division three school in Mississippi.
;)

[BeeDee]

Our linebackers are much improved. Look for Patrick Willis to have a standout year.

[fernandomike]

Gaither, Mitchell, and Simon are solid. For some reason, few people know about Gaither. He is super-fast, knows his responsibilites, and hits like a truck. He is one of the most underrated players in the conference.

[GeauxTo]

For some reason, few people know about Gaither. He is super-fast, knows his responsibilites, and hits like a truck. He is one of the most underrated players in the conference.
Send him to us; we could call it a trade for sending you Clausen.
:p

[fernandomike]

Nah, we already sent you Shyrone Carey for Claussen. LOL. Given our lack of quality depth at running back, I am sure that we would consider undoing that switch if we could.

[WDavE]

At Auburn returns all three starters from a year ago. Both Williams boys are undersized but carry plenty of speed. The only starter in trouble IE. that might lose his job this coming season is Sears. Dede has really come on. Add to these a player many considered the number one linebacker recruit in the nation is coming to a stadium near you this fall. Blackmon The kid is a very heavy hitter and runs better then any LB's I've ever seen. A surprising recruit after getting on campus is Merrill Johnson.


SLB 40 Kevin Sears (6-4, 247, Jr.)
21 Karibi Dede (6-0, 216, Jr.)
MLB 51 Travis Williams (6-1, 207, Sr.)
52 Kevis Burnam (6-2, 242, Jr.)
56 Courtney Harden (6-1, 239, RFr.)
WLB 31 Antarrious Williams (5-11, 206, Sr.)
59 Merrill Johnson (6-1, 201, RFr.)
39 Chris Evans (6-0, 221, Fr.)

[jneesy]

WLB 42 Juwan Simpson (6-3, 222, Jr., 2VL)
44 Demarcus Waldrop (5-11, 190, So., 1VL)
6 Marcel Stamps (6-3, 203, So., 1VL)


MLB 8 Freddie Roach (6-2, 248, Sr., 3VL)
93 Matt Collins (6-1, 241, So. 1VL)
45 Juke King (6-0, 232, Sr., 1VL)


SLB 35 DeMeco Ryans (6-2, 232, Sr., 3VL)
55 Terrence Jones ( 6-1, 220, Jr., 2VL)
53 Brent Nall (6-0, 210, Fr., SQ)


RCB 9 Anthony Madison (5-9, 180, Sr., 3VL)
7 Lionel Mitchell (6-2, 180, Fr., HS)
25 Aaron McDaniel (6-1, 176, Fr., SQ)

alot of experience
alot of size
alot of depth
and a whole lot of mean

look for demeco ryans to have a all american type year
he's gonna be big

[IH8Orange]

WLB 42 Juwan Simpson (6-3, 222, Jr., 2VL)
44 Demarcus Waldrop (5-11, 190, So., 1VL)
6 Marcel Stamps (6-3, 203, So., 1VL)


MLB 8 Freddie Roach (6-2, 248, Sr., 3VL)
93 Matt Collins (6-1, 241, So. 1VL)
45 Juke King (6-0, 232, Sr., 1VL)


SLB 35 DeMeco Ryans (6-2, 232, Sr., 3VL)
55 Terrence Jones ( 6-1, 220, Jr., 2VL)
53 Brent Nall (6-0, 210, Fr., SQ)


RCB 9 Anthony Madison (5-9, 180, Sr., 3VL)
7 Lionel Mitchell (6-2, 180, Fr., HS)
25 Aaron McDaniel (6-1, 176, Fr., SQ)

alot of experience
alot of size
alot of depth
and a whole lot of mean

look for demeco ryans to have a all american type year
he's gonna be big

Yeah Ryans and Harper (DB) are on the Bednarik watch list. So that's pretty cool.

[pc72687]

SC has:

OLB Mike West
MLB Ricardo Hurley
OLB Lance Laury

Just in case anyone was interested.

[WDavE]

College Football news just listed their All-American redshirt freshman team.

Here is a cut and paste on one of their selections...

"LB Merrill Johnson, Auburn – Johnson is undersized, speedy and capable of providing support in run defense. In other words, he’s a clone of the Williams’, senior starters Travis and Antarrious. Johnson used a strong spring to move up to No. 2 on the weakside behind Antarrious Williams. "


I think their writers are following me????

[OrangeCrush]

Simon(mlb), Gaither(wlb), and J.Mitchell(slb) are your traditional quick SEC linebackers. They fly around the field always looking to make a play. All three can be good tacklers, but Gaither probably is the best of the bunch. Good health is the issue with this group. A healthy trio allows all three to be dominant at there positions. Some of the vol faithful are waiting on Mitchell to become more consistent, but the young man has all the tools to be one of the be3st.

The Vols have two SEC proven back-ups in the form of Marvin Mitchell and John Poe. Poe is more of run stuffer, but has progressed some in his pass coverage. M.Mitchell has all the tools to be a starter. UT can move the starters around if one were to get hurt, because all three starters have played multiple lb positons in the UT defense.

After these five players, UT has about four players who have game experience or been on campus for a year. Daniel Brooks leads this group. Brooks is a very talented player, who has not gotten the job done on or off the field. Ryan Karl is a converted safety, who impressed coaches this spring. Jerrod Mayo took a redshirt year last year and should be more physically ready to contribute to the team.

Finally, UT was able to recruit some fablously talented prepsters to Knoxville. Rico McCoy highlights this group as a Army All-American game participant. Andre Mathis and Gerarld Williams are both four star prospects that should get some playing time in the near future.

The Vols have plenty of depth in the LB department. It will be nice to see who of the second string can come in and make plays, when the starters are given rest. Otherwise, a big year is expected from this group.

[pc72687]

Sounds like linebacker is one area where every team has good players.

[ColonelKurtz]

UGA's Corps d' Pain will be led by Tony Taylor in the middle. Injury sidelined him last year and facilitated the stellar season that the Monticello Monster aka Odell Thurman enjoyed. Jarvis Jackson, also a Jr., will spot him most abley and is perhaps better in coverage.

Soph. Brandon Miller will start at Sam and comes in having participated in all 12 games in '04 at the spot as well as being a terror on ST's.

Jr. Danny Verdun-Wheeler will man the Will and was the team's 5th leading tackler last season. RSFr. Dannell Ellerbe is listed as the next backup.

Kinda thin now with the loss of two battle tested guys and it will be interesting to see if Jarmario Smith is back from injury and which of the redshirts and/or true freshmen are ready for battle.