Today we take a look at the LB position, a group that is progressing in terms of talent in my opinion.
Losses from 2019: Connor Taylor (leading tackler), Collin Scott (3rd leading tackler), and James Jackson (8th leading tackler)
All three starters out the door. Here's the good part though, I think Tech has better options in 2020 than Scott and Jackson for sure, and maybe Taylor as well.
Projected Depth Chart
ILB: Trey Baldwin (RS SR), Kody Fulp (JR), Maki Carabin (RS FR) or Allen Walker (RS FR)
ILB: Joren Dickey (JR), Alex Zayed (RS SR)
OLB/S: Ezekiel Barnett (RS SR), Allen Walker (RS FR) or Brandon Floyd (RS SR)
Others: Isaiah Windmon (RS SO), Tyler Grubbs (FR), Joe Mason (FR), Reggie Cleveland (RS SR)
Floyd and Cleveland are both attrition candidates.
Like I said yesterday, Allen Walker is a piece that can be moved into a bunch of different spots.
Carabin will be a 3-year starter at ILB. Tech opted to redshirt him a season ago, but he was as close to playing as any freshman outside of DeShon Hall. Very instinctive.
In my pre-spring depth chart I had Zayed over Dickey, but I ultimately think that Dickey's superior talent wins out.
Barnett is the clear starter at the other OLB spot, but with Khalil Ladler on board, it wouldn't shock me to see Tech slide Jaiden Cole down into the box at this spot some.
Isaiah Windmon was a big get on the recruiting trail, but he just hasn't really recovered from the ACL injury his senior year of HS. He still needs 20 pounds.
Fulp is the McNeese transfer. If he gets a waiver, he'll have two years of eligibility remaining.
Looking at the LB group, I think they have a chance to be pretty good. Fulp being eligible would be big. Another older guy in a key position that has played a lot of college football.
Confidence in the LB position entering 2020? 1-10?
Losses from 2019: Connor Taylor (leading tackler), Collin Scott (3rd leading tackler), and James Jackson (8th leading tackler)
All three starters out the door. Here's the good part though, I think Tech has better options in 2020 than Scott and Jackson for sure, and maybe Taylor as well.
Projected Depth Chart
ILB: Trey Baldwin (RS SR), Kody Fulp (JR), Maki Carabin (RS FR) or Allen Walker (RS FR)
ILB: Joren Dickey (JR), Alex Zayed (RS SR)
OLB/S: Ezekiel Barnett (RS SR), Allen Walker (RS FR) or Brandon Floyd (RS SR)
Others: Isaiah Windmon (RS SO), Tyler Grubbs (FR), Joe Mason (FR), Reggie Cleveland (RS SR)
Floyd and Cleveland are both attrition candidates.
Like I said yesterday, Allen Walker is a piece that can be moved into a bunch of different spots.
Carabin will be a 3-year starter at ILB. Tech opted to redshirt him a season ago, but he was as close to playing as any freshman outside of DeShon Hall. Very instinctive.
In my pre-spring depth chart I had Zayed over Dickey, but I ultimately think that Dickey's superior talent wins out.
Barnett is the clear starter at the other OLB spot, but with Khalil Ladler on board, it wouldn't shock me to see Tech slide Jaiden Cole down into the box at this spot some.
Isaiah Windmon was a big get on the recruiting trail, but he just hasn't really recovered from the ACL injury his senior year of HS. He still needs 20 pounds.
Fulp is the McNeese transfer. If he gets a waiver, he'll have two years of eligibility remaining.
Looking at the LB group, I think they have a chance to be pretty good. Fulp being eligible would be big. Another older guy in a key position that has played a lot of college football.
Confidence in the LB position entering 2020? 1-10?
