Position Previews: Linebackers

It’s time we start breaking down each position as the season will be here in about 2 months. I don’t have any inside information, so these are mainly guesses on my part and if you take anything away from this, it’s the opportunity for a discussion.

Possible Starters:

Boundary inside linebacker
Austin Romaine (6-2, 240) Sr-Tr

Field inside linebacker
Ben Roberts (6-3, 245) Sr-3L

Field outside linebacker
John Curry (6-2, 235) Jr-2L

This preview may be the easiest one yet. Jacob Rodriguez had Heisman-level output for Texas Tech and that’s obviously tough to replicate. However . . . Texas Tech has reloaded to the point where I don’t think the drop-off will be that significant. Roberts had 90 tackles, 4 picks, 4 tackles for a loss, 6 passes broken up, 3 quarterback hurries and 2 forced fumbles. Curry had 72 tackles, 3.4 tackles for a loss, 4 passes broken up, 2 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. That’s a ton of returning production even without Rodriguez. Then add in Austin Romaine who had 66 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 2 passes broken up, and 6 quarterback hurries for Kansas State. Rodriguez was a Heisman-worthy linebacker, once in a generation. I don’t know that anyone will be able to replicate those types of turnovers, but this is a pretty darned good unit.

Likely Back-Ups:

Boundary inside linebacker
Corey Platt Jr. (6-1, 210) Jr-Tr
Cord Nolan (6-0, 220) Fr-HS
Chris Lemons (6-2, 225) Jr-Sq

Platt was somewhat productive as a sophomore for the Houston Cougars, 40 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, 2 passes broken up, 2 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. I would expect Platt to get plenty of time. Nolan’s grandfather attended Texas Tech, Ron Mercer, who played football and shotput and discus, and originally from Tulsa. Nolan is supposedly making a real impact on special teams, which is great for a true freshman. I don’t know a ton about Lemons (sorry).

Field inside linebacker
Brock Golwas (6-1, 240) So-1L
Wesley Smith (5-10, 220) Sr-3L
Adam Hill (6-1, 230) So-1L

Golwas has the inside job (pun intended) when Roberts graduates. The back-ups are walk-ons so not exactly sure what the plan is moving forward. I have sort of thought that Golwas maybe lacked some real speed to play inside, but I’m happy to be proven wrong. Hill moving from running back to linebacker might be a long-term solution to finding him a position long-term.

Field outside linebacker
Marcus Ramon-Edwards (6-3, 225) Jr-1L
Mike Dingle (6-2, 225) Jr-1L
Donovan Webb (6-0, 205) Fr-HS
Kaegan Ash (6-0, 205) Fr-HS

I’m not rationally prepared to see Ramon-Edwards on the field, I’ve sort of been waiting for him for a long time. He has ridiculous athleticism, but hasn’t been able to get on the field that much because of Curry. Dingle has been injured more than I’d like, all of last year after the first game, so I’m not entirely sure what to expect of him. Webb was a safety in high school, so I’m guessing the coaches see Webb growing into a linebacker role. Same thing with Ash, who was an incredible running back and linebacker in high school, and would guess that he’ll need time to see time on the field.