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An almost entirely new LB room for '26?

LuCane

LuCane

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Outgoing:

Chase Smith - super senior, presumably gone (heard the thing about another medical shirt)
Adarius Hayes - legal issues, presumably gone
Wes Bissainthe - Senior, played 4 years, would have to somehow apply to return
Jay Alderman - RS Senior, presumably gone
Mo Toure - Grad Student, presumably gone

Possibly returning:

Malik Bryant - has eligibility, but more of a standup End, it seems, has struggled in space
Popo Aguirre - will presumably be part of the rotation
Cam Pruitt - hybrid player, more of a Safety this season
Kellen Wiley - would have loved to see more snaps, will presumably be part of next year's rotation
Kamal Bonner - don't know much about him other than he stood completely still on a TD play
Ezekiel Marcelin - haven't seen him enough; unproven and untested
Bobby Washington* - didn't originally list him because had heard his injury was serious and no idea what that means going forward

Incoming:

Jordan Campbell - highly rated, but may fall into the Malik Bryant stand up Edge player role or even a clearcut DE
Justin Edwards - needs weight
Karsten Busch - people like him, I don't know much about him; the limited stuff I did see didn't look as fluid (sideline to sideline) as I'd hoped, but maybe more of an inside thumper player; would need to see more.

Now, this isn't how I make a living, but if I'm looking at that situation, I'm requesting a bigger budget asap. Next year's defense may be above average to elite at DL and DB - with a couple additions in both. I hope we don't find ourselves with a "the LB position kept us from what we could be" situation.

*I'm sure I missed some stuff. Here for the discussion.
 
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Busch film looks good, seems to have good ready size and closing speed in box but I dont think since Mario been here we have gotten a young LB ready for immediate PT, when is last time we had a true freshman LB start out gate? Quarterman crew out of necessity?

Need to hit portal HARD but we havent done well at that spot, might have to tamper big time, Cal LB #0 wanna come across country hopefully?

 
LuCane said:
Outgoing:

Chase Smith - super senior, presumably gone (heard the thing about another medical shirt)
Adarius Hayes - legal issues, presumably gone
Wes Bissainthe - Senior, played 4 years, would have to somehow apply to return
Jay Alderman - RS Senior, presumably gone
Mo Toure - Grad Student, presumably gone

Possibly returning:

Malik Bryant - has eligibility, but more of a standup End, it seems, has struggled in space
Popo Aguirre - will presumably be part of the rotation
Cam Pruitt - hybrid player, more of a Safety this season
Kellen Wiley - would have loved to see more snaps, will presumably be part of next year's rotation
Kamal Bonner - don't know much about him other than he stood completely still on a TD play
Ezekiel Marcelin - haven't seen him enough; unproven and untested
Bobby Washington* - didn't originally list him because had heard his injury was serious and no idea what that means going forward

Incoming:

Jordan Campbell - highly rated, but may fall into the Malik Bryant stand up Edge player role or even a clearcut DE
Justin Edwards - needs weight
Karsten Busch - people like him, I don't know much about him; the limited stuff I did see didn't look as fluid (sideline to sideline) as I'd hoped, but maybe more of an inside thumper player; would need to see more.

Now, this isn't how I make a living, but if I'm looking at that situation, I'm requesting a bigger budget asap. Next year's defense may be above average to elite at DL and DB - with a couple additions in both. I hope we don't find ourselves with a "the LB position kept us from what we could be" situation.

*I'm sure I missed some stuff. Here for the discussion.
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I see a lot of highly rated 4 star guys in this room. If we can’t find 2-3 good players that’s on the coaches! Oh and BTW, B Wash is practicing and has been for half the season. I believe he was scout team defensive player of the week a couple weeks back
 
I only want one really solid vet LB from the portal... reason being, we HAVE to allow our highly ranked recruits to get PT at some point, or they will never develop.... Measurable's: Wiley and Busch have the size already and seem to be faster LB's as well.... Popo has the most experience now, but I just don't see the speed I'd like from him, but it's not a deal breaker for him.... the rest just don't seem to have the size/weight yet... noDiddy.....
 
And this defense doesn’t really feature the linebackers like that. They are not asked to flow and get sideline to sideline. They just play a gap in the run game and the safeties do most of the rest. This defense relies on the star and safeties more than any other position. They blitz them a lot. But still cover VERY well on the back end. Linebackers are asked to do a lot in the passing game when we do bring a safety though.
 
KingB02 said:
I see a lot of highly rated 4 star guys in this room. If we can’t find 2-3 good players that’s on the coaches! Oh and BTW, B Wash is practicing and has been for half the season. I believe he was scout team defensive player of the week a couple weeks back
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Good to hear in BWash. I have no knowledge of that, and was only going off the fact he had a serious injury.
 
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KingB02 said:
And this defense doesn’t really feature the linebackers like that. They are not asked to flow and get sideline to sideline. They just play a gap in the run game and the safeties do most of the rest. This defense relies on the star and safeties more than any other position. They blitz them a lot. But still cover VERY well on the back end. Linebackers are asked to do a lot in the passing game when we do bring a safety though.
Click to expand...
Eh, a couple things. They didn't look great this year in certain spots. Namely, flowing into the C and the alley, and in coverage. Had multiple holes doing all of the above. Even some outright busts.

Scott and Thomas cleaned up quite a bit in the run game. I love that Hetherman creatively dropped Safeties or sent run blitzes to the C and to seal the edge, but that begins to open yourself up to counters and getting smoked down the seams (which then requires LB range, as you mentioned).

I think we need a couple LBs who play better in space. Those are expensive, so I pray for at least one.
 
Out LB recruits for the last 3 years have been great but they all lack size, full of crazy potential though. They need to hit the weight room crazy this offseason.. I believe int hope evaluations but they need the size to hold up against the run
 
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Wiley is going to be a dude and we absolutely need it. Daniel Wingate at Maryland is what he can be. Wiley was making plays all off season so he’s going to in the rotation 100%
 
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