In the FCS Huddle: Top 10 FCS Linebackers

[EWURanger]

Let's go ahead and get this one started.

By Craig Haley, FCS Executive Director

By totaling 24 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown, Eastern Washington's J.C. Sherritt was an unstoppable force against Weber State last season.

It wasn't the game, however. that stands out the most to the strong-side inside linebacker.

It was against Northern Colorado, he recalls fondly, "when our defense had that shutout. It kind of epitomized everyone doing their job to get that win."

Sherritt's 15 tackles had a lot to do with the Eagles' first shutout in three years. Still, the only number that mattered to him was the 0 ... as in EWU's 16-0 win.

His school-record 170 tackles and 14.2-per-game average were by far the best numbers in the FCS, and helped Sherritt finish second to James Madison defensive end Arthur Moats in the Buck Buchanan Award voting for the national defensive player of the year award. Sherritt's incredible season came one year after teammate Greg Peach won the 2008 Buchanan Award.

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[Screamin_Eagle174]

I hope he has another great year and wins the Buck Buchanan this time around, but with Zach Johnson coming back I don't know if it will happen. I'll take a better overall defense though any day over an individual achievement, and I'm sure both Sherritt and Baldwin feel the same way.

[Saint3333]

DJ Smith will be in the top ten for the BB award. The kid has the size of Roman and the speed of Banks with a mean streak. Reminds me of Rico Mack who played at ASU in the 90's.

[kdinva]

VMI's AJ Gross and Emilio Calvin are poised to have fine seasons.......maybe not on the national level, but will be well noticed in the Big South in 2010 .