Big South LBs 2012

[bjtheflamesfan]

We continue looking at the defensive side of the ball and break down the second line of defense

Charleston Southern


Michael Chocholousek 74 Tackles (45 Solo) 5.5 TFL 3.0 Sacks (2011 Big South Second Team All Conference)
Matt Hardy 47 Tackles (21 Solo) 0.5 TFL
Calvin Bryant 23 Tackles (15 Solo) 2.0 TFL
Gabe Middlebrook 8 Tackles (4 Solo) 1.0 TFL

It generally isn't a good sign when your leading tackler is a defensive back, but when only 2 LB (Hardy and Chocholousek) are in the top 20 in tackles, it is a strong sign that you lack middle in your defense. The Bucs allowed almost 2500 yards rushing including a season high 355 to eventual champion Stony Brook and an alarming 334 to D3 Wesley College. Unless Chocholousek, Hardy, Bryant, Middlebrook and the rest of the LB corps did some serious fixing in the offseason, it you could see a lot of action in the second and third level against the Bucs this year

Coastal Carolina

Andrae Jacobs 46 Tackles (35 Solo) 10.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks 2010 Big South Defensive PoY 2011 Big South All Conference First Team
Mike McClure 36 Tackles (22 Solo) 2.0 TFL
Quinn Backus 31 Tackles (18 Solo) 1.5 TFL 0.5 Sacks
Michael Battle (no 2011 Stats)

When you talk about the Chants' linebackers, you have to start with Andrae Jacobs. the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year didnt see as much action in 2011, but dont think that teams didnt know he was out there. He will be the one who sets the tone for the defense this year.

Gardner-Webb

Chandler Browning (no 2011 Stats, converted from QB)
Chris James (No 2011 Stats, granted 6th year by NCAA)
Bradley Taylor 19 Tackles 5 Solo 1.5 TFL
Tanner Burch 17 Tackles (9 Solo)

Chandler Browning switches from offense to defense to add depth to what is a somewhat inexperienced LB group after the graduation of Marty Patterson, who will probably go as one of the best at the school. Look for Browning as well as Chris James, who was granted an extra year by the NCAA after missing 2011, to provide leadership for the young group.

Liberty

Nick Sigmon 60 Tackles (30 Solo) 7.5 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Scott Hyland 46 Tackles (22 Solo) 5.0 TFL 2.5 Sacks
Marques Jenkins 9 Tackles (5 Solo) 2.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks
Nick Martin 5 Tackles (3 Solo) 0.5 TFL

True Freshman Sigmon made an immediate impact on the field for Liberty, including teaming with Hyland for two of the biggest plays in the 2OT win over Presbyterian and extending the Flames' home conference winning streak to 15 games (now 16). Demetrius Ward, who finished fourth among linebackers in tackles last year has moved to the defensive line, so Jenkins and Martin, who both saw action last year, will likely move into the mix for starting spots for Liberty. The Flames were pretty solid against the run, allowing less than 200 yards rushing in all but three games last season (including a season high of 299 to Kentucky Wesleyan but most of that was with second an third team in the game

Presbyterian

LJ Perry 47 Tackles (29 Solo) 7.0 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Greg Palmer 29 Tackles (16 Solo) 1.0 TFL
Isaiah Lynn 23 Tackles (14 Solo) 2.0 TFL 1.5 Sacks
Joe Wideman 14 Tackles (5 Solo)

An ad for Virginia Slims cigarettes in the 1960s said, "You've come a long way baby" and that certainly can be said of the Blue Hose. After starting as the conference doormats when they moved up to DIvision I in 2007, and waiting an extra year, they will get their first crack at the Big South Championship. Joe Wideman, the only redshirt senior in this year's linebacking group, will no doubt want to take the lead with this group along with junior teammate Perry, and I expect that they are going to want to send him out with a bang in their first year as a full member of the Big South competing for the football title.

Stony Brook

Jawara Dudley 71 Tackles (40 Solo) 8.0 TFL 4.5 Sacks 2011 Big South All Conference First Team
Andres Trujillo 40 Tackles (19 Solo) 3.0 TFL 2.0 Sacks
Grant Nakwaasah 64 Tackles (31 Solo) 8 TFL 2.5 Sacks
Reginald Francklin (sic) 52 Tackles (28 Solo) 6.5 TFL

Dudley took a HUGE step up last year, becoming the first LB to be named first team all-conference since 2009 when Tyler Santucci won Defensive PoY (Santucci is now a safeties coach with the Seawolves). This is another very experienced group, that will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with this season

VMI

Weston Reber 29 Tackles (9 Solo) 3.5 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Ty Garvin 15 Tackles (6 Solo) 1.0 TFL
Logan Staib 47 Tackles (28 Solo) 2.5 1.0
Will Hyman No 2011 Stats

VMI lost a good one in AJ Gross, who finished as first team all-Big SOuth and one of the top tacklers in VMI history. Weston Reber and Logan Staib (who finished #6 on the team in tackles and tops among LBs) will likely be tasked with leading the unit, which will see a lot of new faces getting extended playing time.

Team
1. Stony Brook
2. CCU
3. Liberty
4. Presbyterian
5. VMI
6. CSU
7. Gardner-Webb

Individual
1. Jawara Dudley, SBU
2. Nick Sigmon, LU
3. Andrae Jacobs, CCU
4. Michael Chocholousek, CSU
5. LJ Perry, PC
6. Scott Hyland LU
7. Logan Staib, VMI

[kdinva]

We continue looking at the defensive side of the ball and break down the second line of defense

VMI

Weston Reber 29 Tackles (9 Solo) 3.5 TFL 1.0 Sacks
Ty Garvin 15 Tackles (6 Solo) 1.0 TFL
Logan Staib 47 Tackles (28 Solo) 2.5 1.0

VMI lost a good one in AJ Gross, who finished as first team all-Big SOuth and one of the top tacklers in VMI history. Weston Reber and Logan Staib (who finished #6 on the team in tackles and tops among LBs) will likely be tasked with leading the unit, which will see a lot of new faces getting extended playing time.

Chris Copeland (6'1; 215, R-Fr.) had an outstanding Spring. And vet Chris Harper (6'6, 245, R-Jr), splits time between boundary DE and OLB, he can be a load to block. Tyler Owens (6'1, 218, R-So.) is now healthy and ready to step into the 2=deep. Cole Knapp (6'1, 230, R-Jr), if healthy, will back up the ILB's. Newcomers JC Garvin, Caleb Lindsay, and Bradley Lipscomb are all capable of making the travel squad, and help on Special Teams.

[bjtheflamesfan]

As always kd, thank you for your insight on the boys up in Lexington. will have to see if I can make the trip up this year, especially since its the finale

[bjtheflamesfan]

bump for further discussion

[oceandogs]

Stony Brook's Andre Trujillo has been moved from lb to de and Dan Mulrooney has been moved from safety to lb. On paper this is definitely the strength of Stony Brook's defense.