Big South LBs 2014

[bjtheflamesfan]

We get back to the rankings this week as we mark 1 month from the start of the 2014 season for everyone in the Big South (a couple teams open on a Thursday) and we take a look at the second level and the LBs. I am making a change this year and listing the top 3 returning LBs (as based on each school's roster and 2013 statistics

Here is my preview of 2013:

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Charleston Southern

Gabe Middlebrook 37 Tackles (20 Solo) 2.5 TFL 1.5 Sacks
Aaron Brown 33 Tackles (19 Solo) 1.0 TFL 2.5 Sacks
Zack Johnson 15 Tackles (5 Solo) 1.5 TFL

CSU loses the top 2 LBs on their roster from 2013 in Calvin Bryant (2013 all-conference first team) and Adam Witzmann to graduation so Gabe MIddlebrook is the leading tackler coming back for CSU. Brown made some strides as well last year and will probably be looked to for a greater contribution on the second level

Coastal Carolina

Quinn Backus 144 Tackles (85 Solo) 10.5 TFL 1.0 Sacks 4 INT (2013 Big South Defensive Player of the Year, 2013 Big South All Conference First Team)
Colton Blackburn 32 Tackles 22 Solo 5.0 TFL 3.0 Sacks
Brett Johnson 31 Tackles (15 Solo) 5.0 TFL

What more can you say about Backus, 2013 Player of the Year, Consensus All-American, and leader in just about every defensive category for CCU. There is a pretty significant dropoff as far as stats are concerned, but with QB QBing the defense, theyll be making plenty of plays.

Gardner-Webb

Tanner Burch 107 Tackles 48 Solo) 7.0 TFL 0.5 Sacks (2013 Big South All Conference First Team)
Chad Geter 82 Tackles (50 Solo) 9.0 TFL 3.0 Sacks (2013 Big South All Conference Second Team)
Bradley Taylor 42 Tackles (19 Solo) 1.0 TFL

Burch and Geter are two of the top LBs in the conference for 2014. If not for Backus, one of them probably is in line for preseason player of the year. With Shaquille Riddick aand Preston Pemasa gone (Riddick transferred to West Virginia aftter graduating), much of the playmaking will fall on these two plus returning lineman OJ Mau

Liberty

Nick Sigmon 62 Tackles (30 Solo) 10.5 TFL (2013 Big South All Conference FIrst Team)
Jimmy O'Grady 30 Tackles (15 Solo) 1.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Dylan Lewellyn 20 Tackles (10 Solo) 3.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks

Sigmon carries the banner for the linebacking corps in 2014 after Lynchburg product Scott Hyland concluded his outstanding career with second team all conference laurels. The former Northside star closed out his high school career with a championship and no doubt will want the same end to his college career as well. The LB could also get himself some pro looks with a big year

Monmouth

Tyler Thompson 27 Tackles (16 Solo) 1.5 TFL
Payton Minnich 21 Tackles (16 Solo) 5.5 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Anthony McDonnaugh 15 Tackles (8 Solo) 2.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks

Its tough to get a real read on the Hawks having only seen them in the 1 game last year against Liberty, but they will have a lot of work to do to adjust to the defenses in the Big South.

Presbyterian

Breyon Williams 70 Tackles (40 Solo) 1.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Joaquin Ross 28 Tackles (14 Solo)3.5 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Justin Antolik 28 Tackles (15 Solo) 1.5 TFL 0.5 Sacks

With Donelle Williams missing most of the season, PC lost its top tackler and Ross and Antolik filled in to some degree, but with him returning, hopefully they can pick up some slack with this group, although PC allowed 20 or more points in all 12 games including 6 games allowing 30 points or more.

Rankings

Team
1. GWU
2. CCU
3. Liberty
4. CSU
5. PC
6. MU

Individual

1. Quinn Backus, CCU
2. Tanner Burch, GWU
3. Nick Sigmon, LU
4. Chad Geter, GWU
5. Gabe MIddlebrook, CSU
6. Breyon Williams, PC
7. Tyler Thompson, MU
8. Colton Blackburn, CCU
9. Jimmy O'Grady, LU
10. Justin Antolik, PC

[bjtheflamesfan]

Bueller...anybody? besides Buc fans?