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Only three more breakdowns to go before we kick off 2010 training camp. This week its the LBs, the primary line of defense once past the line of scrimmage:

Charleston Southern

Fred Godfrey- 67 tackles (20 solo) 0 Sacks 1 FR
Chris Patrick- 64 tackles (18 solo) 5 Sacks 2 FF
David Jackson- 42 tackles (15 solo)
Cornelius Sterling- 27 tackles (8 solo)

Godfrey and Patrick are the most experienced returnees in the Bucs' linebacking corps, but with those two being the only ones coming back with more than 50 tackles, look for some of the younger players to step up and contribute or at least push for more playing time

Coastal Carolina

Andrae Jacobs- 25 tackles (10 solo) 1 Sack
Brian Harrison- 18 tackles (8 solo) 1 Sack
Corey Hawkins- 8 tackles (3 solo)

Coastal is gonna have to replace a lot in this area so look for one or two underclassmen to step right in and contribute in what to me looks like an area of concern for the Chants

Gardner-Webb

Marty Patterson- 110 tackles (64 solo) 5 sacks (led team) 1 FR
Devin Johnson- 30 tackles (8 solo) 0 Sacks 1 FR
Dami Teniola- 16 tackles (4 solo)
Garrett Trusler- 15 tackles (8 solo)

Itll be tough with the loss of all conference selection (and second leading tackler) Mario Brown, but fellow all conference selection (and leading tackler) Marty Patterson will be back and should be the leader for this unit going into the fall. Johnson, Temiola and Trussler will have to up their games if they not only want to fill the void left by Brown, but even see the field in 2010.

Liberty

Doncel Bolt- 62 tackles (20 solo) 2 sacks
Chad Brown- 51 tackles (15 solo) .5 sacks
Kyle O'Donnell- 32 tackles (14 solo) 1 sack 1 FR
MIke Connolly- 19 tackles (8 solo)

Bolt and Brown will be co-captains on the defense and the two of them were the leading tacklers among LBs in 2009 Look for big numbers from these guys and the rest of the ball hawks in this unit



Presbyterian

Derek Brown- 60 tackles (29 solo) 1 Sack 1 FR
Joe Wideman- 13 tackles (5 solo) .5 sacks
Nathan Wuellner- 8 tackles (5 solo)


The Blue Hose do bring back a couple experienced players at this position (includng Earnest Lewis who did not see action in 2009) but for a team that allowed 40+ points on 7 occasions in 2009, they will need all the help they can get


Stony Brook

Stephen Schwicke- 68 tackles (45 solo) 1 FR
Chevar Rankins- 36 tackles (20 solo) 1 FR
Kenny Tuiloma- 31 tackles (12 solo) 1.5 sacks
Craig Richardson- 12 tackles (8 solo)
When you talk about the LBs for Stony Brook (or really the defense in general) you have to start with Tyler Santucci. First team all conference LB, 2009 Defensive PoY, second team All-American AND leading tackler (third in the Big South). His will be a pretty large void to fill.

VMI

A.J. Gross- 76 tackles (26 solo) 1 Sack
Emilio Calvin- 66 tackles (33 solo) 3 Sacks 1 FR
Eric Church- 55 tackles (23 solo) 1 Sack 3 FR
Julian Bowers- 36 tackles (17 solo) .5 sacks 2 FR

Another stout group for VMI . Look for Emilio Calvin (second team all-conference at LB) and Eric Church to also step up. AJ Gross led the way for this group last year with his 76 tackles but look for a number of players to contribute.


Here is how I see the conference at this position going into 2010 (again my opinion only):

1. Liberty
2. Gardner-Webb
3. VMI
4. Charleston Southern
5. Stony Brook
6. Presbyterian
7. Coastal Carolina

If the Runnin Bulldogs can get Jeffrey Williams back from last season's knee injury suffered in the CCU game, then GWU's linebackers will again be stout. Williams was a Big South pre-season all conference pick last year and an All-American Candidate on several pre-season publication lists but was dogged by several nagging injuries before suffering the season ending injury. He led GWU team in tackles in 2008 and along with Marty Patterson could form one heck of a duo. Teniola has a pretty decent shot to grab the 3rd spot but there are a couple of red-shirt freshman in Jon Langston and Hudson Smith who should contribute as well. If you throw in Jordan Woods who basically plays D-end standing up to show a 3-4 scheme then the makings of a strong LB corp are there although experienced depth is lacking.

Go Runnin Bulldogs

Good stuff!

Here are my top 5 LBs in the Big South:

1. Marty Patterson, GW- Likely the preseason DEF POY. Good speed and very active. Should get a shot in a NFL camp.

2. Jeffery Williams, GW- Williams was the preseason DEF POY last year before going down with an injury. If healthy should be among the best in FCS.

3. Desmond Steward, Coastal Carolina- His status is in question as I last heard he was coming back but have also seen information that contradicts it. If he is not back then LB is a huge question mark for the Chants.

4. Doncel Bolt, Liberty- Top returner with 62 tackles and 2 sacks. Should be among the best in the league this year.

5. Emilio Calvin, VMI- Most people don't know who he is but his 66 tackles and 3 sacks last year were a glimpse of what could be one of the top LBs in recent memory to come through VMI.

Williams was a beast in 2008. Itll be interesting to see how he does returning to game speed after missing last season. If he gets back to his 08 form he probably will be right up there for PoY again.

I didnt know about Steward (he didnt register on the Chants 09 stats that I was going through last night when I wrote the OP) but if he isnt back that will really make LB a big question and probably mean a lot more DBs in the top half in tackles on the team (and when DBs are leading your team in tackles that isnt a good testament to your defense as a whole). Itll really force their line to up their game as a unit or they will allow a lot of big gains from backs getting to the second and third level (they allowed 200 or more yards rushing 4 times in 09).

bjtheflamesfan wrote:Only three more breakdowns to go before we kick off 2010 training camp. This week its the LBs, the primary line of defense once past the line of scrimmage:
VMI

Byron Allen- 93 tackles (45 solo) 1 FR
Emilio Calvin- 66 tackles (33 solo) 3 Sacks 1 FR
Eric Church- 55 tackles (23 solo) 1 Sack 3 FR
Julian Bowers- 36 tackles (17 solo) .5 sacks 2 FR

Another stout group for VMI led by Big South second-ranked tackler Allen. Look for Emilio Calvin (second team all-conference at LB) and Eric Church to also step up.

Acutally, BJ, Allen is a safety. Kris Ware (6'0, 220, R-Sr.) and A.J. Gross (5'11, 226, R-Jr.) started alongside Calvin and Church, and both will hit you silly. Josh Sneed (6'2, 240, Jr.) will get a bunch of reps again at ILB, as will Weston Reber (6'2, 220, Soph) at OLB. Bowers spent the Spring at FB, but that ain't guaranteed for September.

The potential eligibility of a JUCO transfer at Liberty could have a huge impact on this discussion.

kdinva wrote:

bjtheflamesfan wrote:Only three more breakdowns to go before we kick off 2010 training camp. This week its the LBs, the primary line of defense once past the line of scrimmage:
VMI

Byron Allen- 93 tackles (45 solo) 1 FR
Emilio Calvin- 66 tackles (33 solo) 3 Sacks 1 FR
Eric Church- 55 tackles (23 solo) 1 Sack 3 FR
Julian Bowers- 36 tackles (17 solo) .5 sacks 2 FR

Another stout group for VMI led by Big South second-ranked tackler Allen. Look for Emilio Calvin (second team all-conference at LB) and Eric Church to also step up.

Acutally, BJ, Allen is a safety. Kris Ware (6'0, 220, R-Sr.) and A.J. Gross (5'11, 226, R-Jr.) started alongside Calvin and Church, and both will hit you silly. Josh Sneed (6'2, 240, Jr.) will get a bunch of reps again at ILB, as will Weston Reber (6'2, 220, Soph) at OLB. Bowers spent the Spring at FB, but that ain't guaranteed for September.

Thanks for that kd...I'll edit the writeup accordingly

To provide a bit more information on GWU's LB Corps for the 2010 year here is some information on the men who deliver the slobber knockers

#9 - Jeffrey Williams - SR, 6'-0" 225 lbs. 3L 2008 Big South DPOY, 2009 Pre-Season All-Big South, Pre-Season All American Candidate, sat much of the 2009 season due to nagging injuries early and a season ending knee injury against CCU

#39 - Marty Patterson - SR, 6'-3" 225 lbs. 3L led Big South in tackles 2009, All-Big South 2009, candidate for 2010 DPOY

#44 - Jon Langston - RFr, 5'-11" 210 will probably be 220 lbs going in to the 2010 year and will look to earn reps at one of the inside/strongside LB spots and contribute on Special Teams

#50 - Devin Johnson - Jr. 5'-10" 210 lbs, 2L will look to earn reps on the inside and continue to work Special Teams

#51 - Dami Teniola - Sr. 5'-11" 220 3L likely 3rd starting LB along Patterson & Williams, part-time starter for Williams in 2009, may be the hardest hitting of the GWU LB corps

#58 - Garrett Trusler - Jr. 6'-2" 210 2L will look to earn reps at inside and weakside LB and continue to work Special Teams

#97 - Hudson Smith - Rfr 6'-2" 230 will look to earn reps at strongside LB and Bandit position, converted DE and FB with great size who was moved to LB during Spring Ball, could develop nicely learning behind Patterson

Incoming Freshman

Tranier Frazier - 6'-2" 230 Fr who comes with added experience at Fork Union Prep, excellent size

Sean Hubbard - 6'-1" 195 Fr will need to add some size but could be slotted in at weakside backer or safety and earn reps on Special Teams

Kelvin "Tank" Williams - 6'-3" 195 FR will need to add some weight/strength but has an excellent frame and height to go with his athleticism. Highly regarded in the SC upstate

GWU will need underclassmen to step up and contribute behind 3 seniors who are likely starters in Patterson, Williams and Teniola. It's hard to imagine going thru a full FCS season and not have several of the underclassmen play a lot of reps. Here's hoping the seniors stay healthy and the underclassmen are ready to play at a high level, it's a long season from summer camp to Thanksgiving.

Go Runnin Bulldogs

Keep your eye on Patrick. This kid came on gangbusters in the last 3 conference games last year and has had a great off season in the weight room. I look for him to be the leader of that defense this season.

EagleDawg wrote:To provide a bit more information on GWU's LB Corps for the 2010 year here is some information on the men who deliver the slobber knockers

#9 - Jeffrey Williams - SR, 6'-0" 225 lbs. 3L 2008 Big South DPOY, 2009 Pre-Season All-Big South, Pre-Season All American Candidate, sat much of the 2009 season due to nagging injuries early and a season ending knee injury against CCU

#39 - Marty Patterson - SR, 6'-3" 225 lbs. 3L led Big South in tackles 2009, All-Big South 2009, candidate for 2010 DPOY

#44 - Jon Langston - RFr, 5'-11" 210 will probably be 220 lbs going in to the 2010 year and will look to earn reps at one of the inside/strongside LB spots and contribute on Special Teams

#50 - Devin Johnson - Jr. 5'-10" 210 lbs, 2L will look to earn reps on the inside and continue to work Special Teams

#51 - Dami Teniola - Sr. 5'-11" 220 3L likely 3rd starting LB along Patterson & Williams, part-time starter for Williams in 2009, may be the hardest hitting of the GWU LB corps

#58 - Garrett Trusler - Jr. 6'-2" 210 2L will look to earn reps at inside and weakside LB and continue to work Special Teams

#97 - Hudson Smith - Rfr 6'-2" 230 will look to earn reps at strongside LB and Bandit position, converted DE and FB with great size who was moved to LB during Spring Ball, could develop nicely learning behind Patterson

Incoming Freshman

Tranier Frazier - 6'-2" 230 Fr who comes with added experience at Fork Union Prep, excellent size

Sean Hubbard - 6'-1" 195 Fr will need to add some size but could be slotted in at weakside backer or safety and earn reps on Special Teams

Kelvin "Tank" Williams - 6'-3" 195 FR will need to add some weight/strength but has an excellent frame and height to go with his athleticism. Highly regarded in the SC upstate

GWU will need underclassmen to step up and contribute behind 3 seniors who are likely starters in Patterson, Williams and Teniola. It's hard to imagine going thru a full FCS season and not have several of the underclassmen play a lot of reps. Here's hoping the seniors stay healthy and the underclassmen are ready to play at a high level, it's a long season from summer camp to Thanksgiving.

Go Runnin Bulldogs

Thanks for the insight EagleDawg. Keep us posted as practice gets going down in BOiling Springs

CSUBUCDAD- good to see Patrick making improvements. We will see if what has occurred in the weight room translates well to the field.

The story starts and ends with Marty Patterson! The speed, vision and tenacity this kid plays the game with is on another level. Looking forward to seeing Patterson in the NFL.