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Potential Portal LBs

Are we sure Mo is coming back, he’s been on all the departure lists from espn, etc. not that they do any real reporting anymore but the only place saying that is here.
 
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Hstokes1447 said:
I really don’t think a portal LB is necessary with Toure returning. The staff only plays 2 LB and although they do rotate, there are currently 8 LBs on the team and that’s not including Pruitt (7 for spring with 1 joining in the summer). I just can’t see them carrying 10 LB when only 4 max will see the field outside of special teams.

Returning LBs for 2026
  1. 7yr SR Mohamed Toure 6-2 235
  2. SR PoPo Aguirre 6-2 240
  3. RJR Kamal Bonner 6-2 225
  4. SO Kellen Wiley Jr. 6-4 245
  5. SO Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. 5-11 230
  6. FR Jordan Campbell 6-3 220
  7. FR Justin Edwards 6-1 215
  8. FR Karsten Busch 6-3 230
At max I could see 1 portal LB, but I would prefer to allocate those resources elsewhere and develop the guys on the roster. Let’s not forget that every year Hetherman has coached linebackers at the P4 level at least one of his linebackers made the all conference team (this past season, Wes was named 3rd team ALL ACC, and Mo was named honorable mention ALL ACC).

In facts for the past 3 seasons, he has turned at least one linebacker into an ALL Conference player, who never earned that honor before being coached by Hetherman. We have a coach that knows how to develop at the position and there is a room full of raw talent to develop, let that man cook and do what he always does, turn unknowns into ALL Conference players.
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This is a simple call for Hetherman. Is the talent on the roster to replace Wes? Is their quality depth if someone goes down with an injury? Is there someone in the portal at this late date who is more talented than those in-house?
 
Hstokes1447 said:
I really don’t think a portal LB is necessary with Toure returning. The staff only plays 2 LB and although they do rotate, there are currently 8 LBs on the team and that’s not including Pruitt (7 for spring with 1 joining in the summer). I just can’t see them carrying 10 LB when only 4 max will see the field outside of special teams.

Returning LBs for 2026
  1. 7yr SR Mohamed Toure 6-2 235
  2. SR PoPo Aguirre 6-2 240
  3. RJR Kamal Bonner 6-2 225
  4. SO Kellen Wiley Jr. 6-4 245
  5. SO Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. 5-11 230
  6. FR Jordan Campbell 6-3 220
  7. FR Justin Edwards 6-1 215
  8. FR Karsten Busch 6-3 230
At max I could see 1 portal LB, but I would prefer to allocate those resources elsewhere and develop the guys on the roster. Let’s not forget that every year Hetherman has coached linebackers at the P4 level at least one of his linebackers made the all conference team (this past season, Wes was named 3rd team ALL ACC, and Mo was named honorable mention ALL ACC).

In facts for the past 3 seasons, he has turned at least one linebacker into an ALL Conference player, who never earned that honor before being coached by Hetherman. We have a coach that knows how to develop at the position and there is a room full of raw talent to develop, let that man cook and do what he always does, turn unknowns into ALL Conference players.
Click to expand...

I know people like Bonner but he is underwhelming to me. He seems real stiff. Will be an important spring for him
 
Canes Legacy said:
Are we sure Mo is coming back, he’s been on all the departure lists from espn, etc. not that they do any real reporting anymore but the only place saying that is here.
Click to expand...
Every report from D money as well as other have all said he returns. He missed 2 full seasons with torn ACL as well as the Covid year, so technically he has only played 3 years of college football therefore he has another year of eligibility.

Toure playing career:
2019 redshirt
2020 Covid
2021 played
2022 ACL injury missed the full season
2023 played
2024 ACL injury missed the full season
2025 played

This means he has 2026 to complete his full 4 years of eligibility
 
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AUcane said:
I know people like Bonner but he is underwhelming to me. He seems real stiff. Will be an important spring for him
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Not true at all when it comes to stiff. He was dealing with an injury this season, go back and watch him at NC State. The word on him has always been he is fast and athletic, but undersized.

He is going to be firmly in the race with PoPo and Wiley to replace Wes.

 
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Hstokes1447 said:
Not true at all when it comes to stiff. He was dealing with an injury this season, go back and watch him at NC State. The word on him has always been he is fast and athletic, but undersized.

He is going to be firmly in the race with PoPo and Wiley to replace Wes.

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Yeah, in the national championship presser with Hetherman.. He was asked about Mo Toure.. During the answer, Heatherman brought up how they had a real dilemma when Toure became available because they thought they were good at LB. He mentioned Bonner.. And then went on to say, that he blelieves Bonner is going to be a real good player here. I don’t think Heatherman is the kind to talk bull****. I believe him.
 
- I'd use this opportunity to save money at the LB position for other positions in need
- I'd use this opportunity to tear off the bandaid and get our younger LB's playing time so they can game time DEVELOP
* You got Toure & Popo returning of which both have a ton of starting reps... You're only replacing Wes..... If we can't replace or improve Wes's impact between (Bonner, Wiley, Marcelin or a FR that has size already), then our LB evals need to be looked at....
 
Hstokes1447 said:
I really don’t think a portal LB is necessary with Toure returning. The staff only plays 2 LB and although they do rotate, there are currently 8 LBs on the team and that’s not including Pruitt (7 for spring with 1 joining in the summer). I just can’t see them carrying 10 LB when only 4 max will see the field outside of special teams.

Returning LBs for 2026
  1. 7yr SR Mohamed Toure 6-2 235
  2. SR PoPo Aguirre 6-2 240
  3. RJR Kamal Bonner 6-2 225
  4. SO Kellen Wiley Jr. 6-4 245
  5. SO Ezekiel Marcelin Jr. 5-11 230
  6. FR Jordan Campbell 6-3 220
  7. FR Justin Edwards 6-1 215
  8. FR Karsten Busch 6-3 230
At max I could see 1 portal LB, but I would prefer to allocate those resources elsewhere and develop the guys on the roster. Let’s not forget that every year Hetherman has coached linebackers at the P4 level at least one of his linebackers made the all conference team (this past season, Wes was named 3rd team ALL ACC, and Mo was named honorable mention ALL ACC).

In facts for the past 3 seasons, he has turned at least one linebacker into an ALL Conference player, who never earned that honor before being coached by Hetherman. We have a coach that knows how to develop at the position and there is a room full of raw talent to develop, let that man cook and do what he always does, turn unknowns into ALL Conference players.
Click to expand...
Is Pruitt leaving? Or is he excluded for another reason?
 
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