The Linebackers

**Aclone** · 01-21-2008, 01:34 PM

I have been a little surprised that we haven't heard more about linebacker recruiting, with only one current commit in Ernest Ferguson. Looking at the returnnees, I would ahve said that we needed at least three more warm bodies.

All right, so Jesse Smith returns in the middle as a junior, but despite having his moments, he also has his limmitaions. The onlyupperclassmen returning would be senior Michael Bibbs and junior Josh Raven, who could play the two outside spot, but at the moment, neither is terribly inspiring. Toss in Fred Gerrin, and we have several guys who have been around, and not exactly glittered.

Then there are the youngsters, and I suppose you'd have to start with Cameron Bell, who looked good as a tailback. At 6-1 233 where do we line him up? Then redshirts Curtiz Mathis, and with a listed 6-3 236 I either stick him in the middle, or on the strongside. Anthony Green, who's listed as "inside", and maybe A.J. Mathews, who at 6-3 201 is listed as a DB on the new roster, round out the lot. Does this seem thin to anyone else? Am I missing a scholarship player?

**cloneu** · 01-21-2008, 01:40 PM

Derek Schmidgall also got some action last year at LB. I think there is plenty of potential on the team. It is just not as expierenced. There will be lots of guys that can rotate in and play, I don't think we will have big play makers but solid guys at the position.

**jahfg** · 01-21-2008, 01:41 PM

According to my source (very reliable in this case), if the season were to start today, we would have Bibbs and Garrin on the outside and Smith in the middle. There is some concern about the talent level there for sure. That being said, the season doesn't start today, and there is plenty of time to solidify this position whether it's through incoming recruits or improving through the intense workouts they are going through right now.

**snowcraig2.0** · 01-21-2008, 01:41 PM

I am extremely excited about Bibbs and Raven on the outside. Bibbs is a athletic freak, and Raven looked good spelling Bowen. Smith will be solid in the middle. That is a starting 3 that I am extremely happy with. Backing them up will be Bell, Mathis, and Garrin. Garrin is solid and can run. Bell and Mathis might finally give us legit size to go with speed at the LB spot. I am very happy with the athleticism and speed of the group. I think overall, we will be better at LB this year than last. There is no replacing Bowen, but as a group these 6 guys will be better.

**jahfg** · 01-21-2008, 01:43 PM

It was a great plan by Chizik and staff to play a lot of guys there last season as we have built some depth. Garrin and Bibbs weren't starters but they have seen the field plenty and Schmidgall and Raven have as well.

**snowcraig2.0** · 01-21-2008, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by jahfg

According to my source (very reliable in this case), if the season were to start today, we would have Bibbs and Garrin on the outside and Smith in the middle. There is some concern about the talent level there for sure. That being said, the season doesn't start today, and there is plenty of time to solidify this position whether it's through incoming recruits or improving through the intense workouts they are going through right now.

I can't see Garrin beating out Raven.

**isuno1fan** · 01-21-2008, 01:45 PM

Best thing GC did last year was start to develop some serious depth at all positions. That can only help down the road.

**jahfg** · 01-21-2008, 01:46 PM

I can tell you with 100% certainty that is the current situation, but there is still a lot of time for things to change.

**cloneu** · 01-21-2008, 01:48 PM

I wonder if they would ever think of moving Kris Means back to linebacker. I don't know what the reason was for switching him, but I think we have enough talent at FB that he should be given a shot at LB. Unless last spring in practice he just didn't show the potential at the LB position.

**snowcraig2.0** · 01-21-2008, 01:49 PM

How about Bell and Mathis. What are you hearing about them? Where are they going to play, the edge or in the middle?

**jahfg** · 01-21-2008, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by snowcraig2.0

How about Bell and Mathis. What are you hearing about them? Where are they going to play, the edge or in the middle?

I haven't heard anything about them, but that doesn't mean they are out of the picture. There had to be a reason that Bell wasn't redshirted last season. As far as what position on the field those guys are at, I have no idea.

**jahfg** · 01-21-2008, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by cloneu

I wonder if they would ever think of moving Kris Means back to linebacker. I don't know what the reason was for switching him, but I think we have enough talent at FB that he should be given a shot at LB. Unless last spring in practice he just didn't show the potential at the LB position.

I think you answered your own question with your last sentence.

**becrisgreg** · 01-21-2008, 01:53 PM

Any word on Carper's recovery from his knee injury?

**ISUFan22** · 01-21-2008, 01:56 PM

Right...I heard the reason Means was moved was because we had too many guys at linebacker - but obviously the competition was going to be more open this fall - so there had to be something to that. Plus, so far it doesn't look like he'll be hitting the field on offense. I wish dirtcop from CN would meander over here - that is the online alias of his father.

As far as Carper - I'd be shocked if we saw him in uniform again.