The heirs to the linebackers thread

[Trueblue25]

A lot of worry and speculation about a considerable drop of experience at the LB position next year due to all three starters graduating. This is fair, as franklin/bennet/thomas have been plAying out of their minds all year long against NFL talent.

I personally am not worried. I believe we have a lot of talent from the '15/'16/'17 classes that'll be ready and chomping at the bit to earn some playing time. We lose two arguable All ACC linebackers and an athletic freak in Thomas.

Who takes over? Who starts at each of the three? Who cracks the two deep? Whos the big hitters? Run stoppers? Qb destroyers? Covers well? Has heart like Zaire and football intelligence like Paris?


Thought i'd try ro containt worries/confidence/speculation/info to this thread as it appears to be a topic/concern brought up all over the football board.

Have at it.

 

[AAM62]

I could see the staff going the juco route here for a middle LB (and wide out).

 

[RMH44]

I could see the staff going the juco route here for a middle LB (and wide out).

Imo, Richards or Armstrong will be starting at MLB next year. Richards is a beast.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Armstrong, Richards and Fagan start.

 

[Trueblue25]

I could see the staff going the juco route here for a middle LB (and wide out).

Think Armstrong's being groomed, and impressing for that middle linebacker spot.

 

[JEF44]

I was just thinking about this today. I feel like Armstrong and Richards spilt time in the middle Guthrie moves back to olb, and I struggled with the other fagan?

 

[Cuse'91]

Guthrie for Thomas should be pretty seemless, no?

 

[Trueblue25]

How have Cullen/Whitner/Trotter/Henderson looked?

Everyone's excited about Guthrie/Armstrong/Richards, which I understand, but our we have numerous other talented and physical players in competition too.

I haven't heard anything about Henderson since the end of his recruitment, and that kid looked like a warrior.

 

[shu 49]

Imo, Richards or Armstrong will be starting at MLB next year. Richards is a beast.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Armstrong, Richards and Fagan start.

Didnt i here Richards is kicking but at mlb and he is big.

 

[UnknownOrange]

Tim Walton?

 

[Trueblue25]

Tim Walton?

I was unclear whether or not he was transitioning to d line.

 

[UnknownOrange]

I was unclear whether or not he was transitioning to d line.

That's what I wasn't sure with either

 

[cusefan88]

Juan Wallace comes in January I believe. Hopefully he can push the current players as well.

 

[Trueblue25]

Juan Wallace comes in January I believe. Hopefully he can push the current players as well.

Our defense is becoming deep enough, thank god, where we can expect young talent like Wallace/Smith etc. to redshirt.

 

[Newhouser]

Paris is going to be a handful to replace. NO shot at the other LB's who have been rock solid this year, but PB in my view does more all over the field.

 

[bigmike]

Richards is tall, as tall as almost every DE on the team. If he can run like a LB, after a year in the S&C program, he is going to be fun to watch. I don't know how much he weighs, but I would not be surprised if he outgrew LB.

 

[shu 49]

Holy sh-- he is big. Is that armstrong next to him. We have a bama sized mlb. I he has speed at that size i will be extatic. Jesum.

 

[JackBauer44]

They have armstrong playing Olb this year. He may be staying there. I’m not sure if they’d switch him back to the middle after a year of being on the outside.

I think it will be Fagan, Richards, and Armstrong at the LB position. That’s my guess.

 

[RMH44]

Richards is tall, as tall as almost every DE on the team. If he can run like a LB, after a year in the S&C program, he is going to be fun to watch. I don't know how much he weighs, but I would not be surprised if he outgrew LB.

View attachment 113340

Listed at 6'4" 212lbs on roster.

 

[tep624]

They have armstrong playing Olb this year. He may be staying there. I’m not sure if they’d switch him back to the middle after a year of being on the outside.

I think it will be Fagan, Richards, and Armstrong at the LB position. That’s my guess.

I would be floored if Armstrong wasn't starting at LB next year somewhere. If he doesn't start I think it only speaks to the quality of talent on the team.

 

[shu 49]

Listed at 6'4" 212lbs on roster.

Height i agree buthe has to be bigger than 212. Im thinking 225 by now but he could be 240 by sophmore year and that would be great. Hoping he is a downhill type of kid.

 

[sutomcat]

They have armstrong playing Olb this year. He may be staying there. I’m not sure if they’d switch him back to the middle after a year of being on the outside.

I think it will be Fagan, Richards, and Armstrong at the LB position. That’s my guess.

I have heard great things about Richards. He and Wallace will battle for the MIKE position.

I would make Guthrie and Armstrong early favorites for the outside positions but neither is a lock. Could see the staff leaving Guthrie at DE for pass rush situations.

Whitner is already getting PT and could win a spot, especially in passing situations.

Cullen has a nice blend of speed and strength and could see him become a blitz specialist in passing situations. Troy Henderson has gotten early PT and might get some playing time.

Trotter, Fagan and Whitner need to get stronger. Incoming frosh Smith might surprise too. He is a great talent.

 

[Trueblue25]

I have heard great things about Richards. He and Wallace will battle for the MIKE position.

I would make Guthrie and Armstrong early favorites for the outside positions but neither is a lock. Could see the staff leaving Guthrie at DE for pass rush situations.

Whitner is already getting PT and could win a spot, especially in passing situations.

Cullen has a nice blend of speed and strength and could see him become a blitz specialist in passing situations. Troy Henderson has gotten early PT and might get some playing time.

Trotter, Fagan and Whitner need to get stronger. Incoming frosh Smith might surprise too. He is a great talent.

I understand Wallace was widely recruited and is one of the better players in our upcoming class, but is he that good to potentially take over the mike as a freshman? That'd be very impressive considering the size and talent we already have.

 

[Orangtiz]

I understand Wallace was widely recruited and is one of the better players in our upcoming class, but is he that good to potentially take over the mike as a freshman? That'd be very impressive considering the size and talent we already have.

Zaire didn't take over immediately as a freshman but I believe he played a bunch over the last like 8-10 games of the season.

 

[JrodCuse]

I would expect Fagan to start somewhere. JThomas is a senior? Damn I thought we had another year out of him.

 

[Finwad32]

One thing we are not short on with the younger guys is talent and athleticism. Initial drop off in production can be expected, but, they'll be good to go as experience builds.