An almost entirely new LB room for '26?

[Calinative]

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.

Bryant is definitely going to portal, hasn't played all year lost his job to Pickett and we got Charles, Lafayette, and Campbell all coming in to play a similar role tbh. Campbell has zero shot at playing early at LB though given he didn't play like any LB in HS this year. Would have a lot to learn.

Bobby Washington got scout team player of the week Pitt week, I'd assume he's back playing now. Question is if he even knows the playbook yet.

Bonner and Popo are fine. They are floor setters. Can be early down players, but you don't want to go into next season with them starting. Popo I'd expect to get a lot of PT probably similar to how Chase Smith was used this year.

Wiley needs to be the guy to step the **** up (along with Bobby hopefully). Heatherman MUST develop him and get him ready to start.

They seem to have zero interest or ability to play Pruitt, so I wouldn't expect him back either at this point. You'd think he'd be able to see the field on passing downs, but nope we just constantly ran robocop (chase smith) and toure out there smh.

We need 1 portal LB who is like top 2-3 available, and then probably another 1 that is at least a rotational guy.

 

[E1k]

LBs didnt stand out a single game all year. Very meh. Portal 2 if not 3 guys in. Whens the last time we had a real stud LB? Feels like its been 5-10 years

If they were terrible the defense would not have been as consistent as it was