LB depth

Nov 3, 2024, 6:47 PM

Earlier I suggested that the 4-2-5 defense was holding the defense back from stopping the run and that we should be running a 4-3-4 defense. It was pointed out that we don't have the linebacker depth to run a 4-3-4. So let's look:

Year Star rating LB Position
0 Barrett Carter LB Senior 3VL 5* 1
17 Wade Woodaz LB Junior 2VL 3* 38
57 Chandler McMaster LB Sophomore (RS) 1VL Walk-on NR
33 Griffin Batt LB Sophomore (RS) 1VL Walk-on NR
50 Fletcher Cothran LB Sophomore (RS) 1VL Walk-on NR
21 Kobe McCloud LB Sophomore (RS) 1VL 3* 112

32 Jamal Anderson LB Sophomore 1VL 4* 19

22 Dee Crayton LB Freshman (RS) RS 3* 46

47 Sammy Brown LB Freshman HS 5* 2
13 Drew Woodaz LB Freshman HS 3* 97
26 C.J. Kubah-Taylor LB Freshman HS 3* 108
43 Billy Wilkes LB Freshman HS Walk-on
52 William Bouton LB Freshman HS Walk-on
53 Joseph Roberto LB Freshman HS Walk-on

TJ Dudley LB Transferred 4* 37

Logan Anderson LB Committed 4* 29

There are fourteen LBs on the roster. Six are walk-ons. One is injured. Two are scheduled to be redshirted. So, there are five available LBs. One senior, one junior, one freshman, and two sophmores.There is certainly not a lot of depth. The question is whether playing a 4-3-4 reduces the backups where substitution is effected. I personally think that going to a 4-3-4 would allow both Barrett and Wade to play their natural positions and put a true middle LB in the game (Sammy). I believe that the LBs would not tire as easily given the simplified assignments. I think it would also help the DL to be more focused on their jobs with gaps being better fitted by the LBs. Maybe we will get off the field quicker. Next year Barrett will be gone and there will be very young LBs taking his place. What do you think?

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down