2012 Position Preview - Linebackers

2012 Position Preview
the Linebackers

Katfans.com continues to take a look at the 2012 football season, one position at a time!

The Sam Houston State Bearkats, fresh off a trip to last year’s National Championship game, are gearing up for another season, where they look to defend their Southland Conference Title

The Bearkats utilize multiple defenses and schemes to get to the quarterback and provide depth in coverage. They use a base 4-2-5, but have also been seen in a 4-3, etc. In passing situations, it’s not uncommon to see them rush 6 and have 5 in coverage. Some consider this “over rushing,” but if donecorrectly, can be extremely effective.

It all starts in the trenches, as we mentioned last article, but when the trench lines get broken, it’s
on the linebackers to step up and fill the gaps, and shut down the run game or provide coverage in a passing situation. Defensive Coordinator, Scott Stoker, is a pass rushing fiend. This pays dividends, as we all witnessed last season, but can also be a liability if the “right,” guys aren’t in two deep. Do the ‘Kats have the right personnel to keep performing at a high level? How will the ‘Kats replace outgoing senior Kash David, who it seems was an ALL WORLD player last year?

Keep In mind we use the terms “middle,” and “outside,” loosely. In a 4-2-5, there’s obviously
no “middle,” when using only two linebackers, but as has been mentioned often, Stoker does a
fantastic job at rotating his linebackers, and using multiple defensive fronts, including ones with 3 or 4 linebackers. Let’s take a look.

The Starters:

Middle Linebacker:

(#36) Darius Taylor, SR, 6’0’’ 245

Photo Credit: GoBearkats.com

You could say that Taylor was a bit overlooked last year because of the play of Kash David, which is understandable. However, this guy is the real deal. He’s shorter than David but has every bit of the motor, and he’s stockiness allows him to lay down the wood in the run game. Taylor finished the year with 78 total tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. Most look at David’s size in comparison with Taylor, and are afraid he’s not the same in coverage situations, but that’s unfounded and not true. In addition to his tackling stats, Taylor intercepted 2 passes, and broke up another 2. Replacing Kash David, who was the true captain of the defense last year, won’t be easy. The young man was the epitome of “Quarterback of the Defense,” as the Middle Linebacker position is often referred to as. In saying that, a lot of it had to do with emotion, and his “reckless abandon,” style of play. If Darius Taylor can step up, as far as leading the team,the ‘Kats won’t take a step back here.

Outside Linebacker (“Weak,” or “Will,”)

(#51) Eric Fieilo, SR, 5’11’’ 220

Photo Credit: GoBearkats.com

Fieilo, who is a bit undersized on the outside, is coming off a very impressive junior campaign in which he registered 53 total tackles, one more than starter and outgoing senior Will Henry, 9 of those tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. Fieilo isn’t great in coverage, but he really doesn’t need to be as long as he can keep effectively rushing the passer, and assisting in the run game. (More than half of his tackles were assists) I wouldn’t anticipate too much regression from last year at this position. Henry is more than ready to take over and be the every game starter. (This isn’t too much of stretch, considering he played 13 games last season)



The Known Back- Ups:

(#43) Jesse Beauchamp, JR, 6’0’’ 225
Beauchamp played in 13 games last year as a sophomore, and he figures to get a lot more quality
playing time this year, as he will be second string, instead of third string. In the limited playing time
he received last year, he was pretty effective. He played roughly 60 downs throughout the season,
which isn’t a whole lot, but registered 24 tackles in that span. Look for him to contribute both in the run defense and coverage.

(#37) Jeremy Jackson, RS FR, 6’0’’ 215

Jackson had no defensive statistics for the 2011 season, and apparently redshirted. I was able to find
some high school game film on him and, he looks to be like he can be an explosive outside linebacker for the ‘Kats the next few years. He has good size, and judging by his film, he has an explosive first step, but he will need to make the transition from 5-A high school ball to division I football.

The Freshman:

Nigel Robertson , FR, 5’11’’ 225 (Dallas Skyline)

Robertson has the size and speed to contribute from day 1, especially in stopping the run. He comes
from renowned high school football powerhouse, Dallas Skyline, but there will still be a transition
from 5-A high school football to division I college football. Robertson who was originally committed to Central Arkansas, switched to Sam Houston late in the recruiting process. He was also pursued, but not offered by Nebraska, Iowa State, and Indiana. One could say that Robertson was overshadowed at Skyline, playing alongside Peter Jinkens and Domenic Spencer, four and three star recruits who ended up at University of Texas, and Central Florida respectively. However, that’s not really the case, as Robertson was an ALL- DISTRICT linebacker, who accumulated 93 tackles as a senior. The ‘Kats aren’t incredibly deep at linebacker, so it wouldn’t surprise this beat writer one bit if either of the true freshman so significant playing time this season.

Mouf Adebo, FR, 6’1’’, 215 (Mansfield)

Adebo is a “Scott Stoker,” special. This is the rush linebacker that we have all been looking for. Adebo, who was clocked as fast a 4.5 (in the 40) in high school, was a first team ALL-DISTRICT selection, and totaled 24 quarterback sacks in his two years as a starter, to go along with over 100 combined tackles. There will be an adjustment for Adebo, which is expected, but he is incredible off the line, and has a penchant for finding the QB and hitting him before he releases the ball. He will need some time in Stoker’s system to figure out all of the nuances, but I think you will be pleasantly surprised after his adjustment period.

Stay tuned to Katfans.com as next we will move into the second level of the defense and look at

the cornerbacks!

2012 Position Preview: Defensive Line

 

Every Monday Katfans.com will be taking a look at the 2012 football season, one position at a time!

The Sam Houston State Bearkats, fresh off a trip to last year’s National Championship game, are gearing
up for another season, where they look to defend their Southland Conference Title

The Bearkats utilize a 4-3 defense, which uses the tackles in the middle to both fill the running lands
and create space for the rushing defensive ends and linebackers. The old saying is, “games are won and lost in the trenches,” and because of that, that’s exactly where we start our position previews; The 2012 Defensive Line.

Overall the Bearkats return three (3) conference award winners and starters on the defensive line.
Defensive Coordinator Scott Stoker will have his squad ready to go when the opening bell sounds,
however, the question is, who will be in the ring?

Let’s take a look.

The Starters:

Defensive Ends:

Image: GoBearkats.com

(#92) Andrew Weaver, SR, 6’1’’ 245

Weaver was named to the 2nd team All Southland Conference as a rush defensive end. In 2011 he registered 5 sacks, 7.5 Tackles for loss, and 23 total tackles. He’s not necessarily the biggest guy on the defensive line, in fact he’s the smallest, but he uses his speed as a former linebacker (Texas A&M) and his technique to his advantage to be a constant in the opponent’s backfield. Look for him to have a stellar 2012 senior campaign. He projects as a linebacker in the NFL, and because of his speed up front, scouts will take a look.



(#97) Jarrett Brown, JR, 6’3’’ 265

Image: GoBearkats.com

Brown transferred in from Oklahoma just days before the 2011 pre-season camps began, and made a very strong impression in his first year on the team. Playing mostly as a back-up to outgoing senior Ed Decambre, Brown recorded 4 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and 21 total tackles in 2011. Brown was a big factor early on in the season, but faded late and was a non-factor in the playoffs. He’ll need to work on his conditioning, as he disappeared late in games, but from all accounts, the starting defensive ends are
going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Defensive Tackles:

Image: GoBearkats.com

(#59) J.T Cleveland, SR, 6’0’’ 290

Cleveland looks to improve on his 2011 campaign, one in which he was named 1st team All Southland Conference, as an interior defensive lineman. Playing in every single game, Cleveland registered 1 sack,
5 tackles for loss, and a Defensive line-leading 35 total tackles.

(#66) Gary Lorance, JR, 6’0’’ 290

Image: GoBearkats.com

Lorance, who like Weaver, was also named to the 2011 2nd team All Southland Conference, had a stellar 2011 season that saw him book 4 sacks, 30+ total tackles, and a whopping 8 tackles for loss. In the middle, Cleveland and Lorance are listed as the exact same size and weight, and while they aren’t monsters in size like some tackles around the conference, they more than make up with it with their agility and penchant for finding the Quarterback, and pushing back the opposing line.

The Known Back- Ups:

(#91) Preston Sanders, JR, 6’3’’ 255 (Defensive End)

Sanders will more than likely backup Andrew Weaver this year. In 2011 Sanders netted 5.5 tackles for
loss and 21 tackles and made an appearance in most every game.

(#95) John Trotter, SO, 6’3’’ 270 (Defensive Tackle)

Trotter burned his redshirt during 2011 and saw playing time in only a handful of games, but still
registered a sack and a handful of tackles backing of Gary Lorance. Look for him to add a few more
pounds of “good weight,” this year and to be more effective in his back-up role to #66.

(#99) Forbes Baggett, JR, 6’2’’ 285 (Defensive Tackle)

Baggett will serve as the primary backup for the heralded JT Cleveland. In 2011 he saw plenty of playing
time and was able to come away with 1 sack, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 11 total tackles. While he won’t
be pushing Cleveland or Lorance out of their starting gigs, he’s a solid and well-rounded replacement
should one of them get hurt, or to spell stints of fatigue.

Keep an Eye On:

(#93) Tim Galvan, JR, 6’2’’ 240 (Defensive End)

Has not seen much playing time as he is also a transfer, like Weaver and Brown, however he has the
measurable to be an effective rushing defensive end, but does he have the motor? He is going to be one
guy given a pretty hard look by the coaching staff in spring drills and pre-season.

(#34) Casey Devries, SO, 6’4’’ 240 (Defensive End)

Excellent size and speed to play either position, but projected as more of an end due to the logjam at
Defensive tackle.

(#58) Ishmael Thorns, SO, 6’2’’ 245 (Defensive End)

After a stellar high school career, Thorns looks to step up this season and see some playing time. He is
pretty quick for a defensive end, and is most comparable to Andrew Weaver, as far as how he uses his
hands to get past the initial lineman.

PROJECTED TWO-DEEP FOR INCARNATE WORD

SDE
Andrew Weaver
Preston Sanders

DT
Gary Lorance
John Trotter

DT
JT Cleveland
Forbes Baggett

WDE
Jarrett Brown
Tim Galvan

Stay tuned to Katfans.com as next we will move into the second level of the defense and look at the linebackers!

2012 Football Schedule

Sep 8 - Incarnate Word @ Huntsville
Sep 15 - Baylor @ Waco
Sep 22 - Central Arkansas * @ Conway, AR
Sep 29 - Texas Southern @ Dynamo Stadium
Oct 06 - Stephen F. Austin * @ Reliant Stadium
Oct 13 - Nicholls State * @ Thibodaux, La.
Oct 20 - State (Homecoming) * @ Huntsville 2 p.m.
Oct 27 - Lamar * @ Beaumont
Nov 03 - Southeastern Louisiana * @ Huntsville
Nov 10 - Northwestern State * @ Natchitoches, La.
Nov 17 - Texas A&M @ College Station
* Conference Games