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An almost entirely new LB room for '26?

LuCane said:
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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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.
 
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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.
Click to expand...
Good discussion @LuCane I have the following returning next year at LB

Popo Aguirre
Kamal Bonner
Ezekiel Marcellin
Bobby Washington
Kellen Wiley

I heard that Mo Toure is applying for another hardship year and it wouldn't surprise me if he gets it.

⁸ what I have understood, Bobby Washington has been practicing for the last few weeks.

I know next to nothing about Kamal Bonner other than the staff really likes him.

Popo Aguirre played a lot this year and was very solid if unspectacular. He is the only returning LB with any experience in Hetherman's system.

In addition to Popo, Bonner, Marcellin, Washington and Wiley will give us a faster more athletic LB group to start. We most definitely ne
,ed to hit the portal for 1-2 starters. Corey Hetherman has shown that he is an excellent teacher as he did an outstanding job with the LB corps this season.
 
FrancisSawyer said:
Good discussion @LuCane I have the following returning next year at LB

Popo Aguirre
Kamal Bonner
Ezekiel Marcellin
Bobby Washington
Kellen Wiley

I heard that Mo Toure is applying for another hardship year and it wouldn't surprise me if he gets it.

⁸ what I have understood, Bobby Washington has been practicing for the last few weeks.

I know next to nothing about Kamal Bonner other than the staff really likes him.

Popo Aguirre played a lot this year and was very solid if unspectacular. He is the only returning LB with any experience in Hetherman's system.

In addition to Popo, Bonner, Marcellin, Washington and Wiley will give us a faster more athletic LB group to start. We most definitely ne
,ed to hit the portal for 1-2 starters. Corey Hetherman has shown that he is an excellent teacher as he did an outstanding job with the LB corps this season.
Click to expand...

Ehhh….
Would rather new blood there unless he is okay coming off bench (which I doubt). We need better starting for us.
 
A starting linebacker should be our highest priority for transfers on defense. We need a defensive end, too; but we at least have 2 startable DE's on the roster. I do not see 2 LB's who can start game 1.
 
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.
Click to expand...
LB is def a concern. Gotta go out and get 1 big time impact guy. I think Aguirre can play but need a good one... I like poyser/Fitzgerald at safety. Should have 4 stand outs at CB w Frederique, O'Conner, D Smith and Lucas. Hopefully one of them can take the NB spot... Blount, Lightfoot, Scott, moten, lowe returning from injury should be a solid group. Probably need a veteran edge there too
 
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Wiley and popo are your starters with Bonner and Bryant first off the bench if I had to guess right now for the the spring game/bowl game if we missed playoffs

Definitely need one for sure 3 down LB out of the portal to start/play in a heavy rotation maybe even two because like you said I didn’t like what I saw from Bonner when he did play his limited reps

Hoping even for a complete LB room tear down and restock like we did last year with the DB room with older players and younger players to make up for the **** near 4 years of misses on the trail
 
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