Recruitng Linebackers

[EifertPower]

After the Wake Forest game, it became pretty clear to me that we still need improvement from our linebackers. I know this is a position we've recruited heavily on in the past couple of years but who have we recruited to fill this need in the Class of 2012? I don't see anyone and if so then this means we are relying heavily that the guys we recruited the last 2 years are the answer for our linebacking woes.

 

[TerryTate]

Romeo Okwara is an OLB at the moment.

Ken Ekanem & Ifeadi Odenigbo are options

Ishaq, Councell, Niklas, Rabasa, Grace, Shembo, Moore, Utupo all have several years of eligibility

 

[Irish Fam]

Romeo Okwara is an OLB at the moment.

Ken Ekanem & Ifeadi Odenigbo are options

Ishaq, Councell, Niklas, Rabasa, Grace, Shembo, Moore, Utupo all have several years of eligibility

These were some pretty highly coveted guys in the recruiting world. I think we need to be patient. The 3-4 linebacker position (especially olb) is a pretty difficult position to learn with all the responsibilities. If we are seeing these same issues 2-3 years from now when these guys are upperclassmen, then we can get a little nervous.

 

[Irish Man3]

These were some pretty highly coveted guys in the recruiting world. I think we need to be patient. The 3-4 linebacker position (especially olb) is a pretty difficult position to learn with all the responsibilities. If we are seeing these same issues 2-3 years from now when these guys are upperclassmen, then we can get a little nervous.

This.

Those worried about Niklas and Ishaq struggling early this year, don't. They are great athletes learning a new position. We have some really athletic guys at the LB position. I think it's important to land of one Odenigbo, McCallister, or Ekanem, but nothing that will kill us if it doesn't happen.

 

[Murphy921]

Agreed that the LB depth is nothing to worry about. Look at the names TerryTate mentioned...it's a pretty impressive list. Even if Te'o the Terrible doesn't come back for his senior year, imagine if the depth chart looked like this...

OLB: Shembo, I. Williams, Niklas
MLB: K.Moore, Rabasa
MLB: Fox, Calabrese, Grace
OLB: Utupo, Spond, Council

Not to mention Okwara coming in and that recent walk-on that was getting praise (I cant remember his name). I never played college football, but I do play rugby. Lining up against big guys isn't what you worry about. It's lining up against big guys, knowing they are just as athletic as you are, that gets in your head.

I really like what BK is doing with these recruiting classes.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Assuming Te'o is back [I do], it is not next year that we need worry [that much] about. We, however will still be a step slow unless Ben Councell gets in the line-up.

The following year, Ishaq and Troy will probably handle CAT just fine. Will Councell get help at DOG? Will Spond step it up and stay uninjured? Who else is both fast and flexible [in change of direction] enough? If Shembo goes to the middle, Moore and/or Rabasa/Grace develops there--OK. But we still need that great athlete with speed and closing ability at DOG.

Odenigbo [or some such superman] please??

 

[Irishman77]

I would like to see Shembo and Niklas inside. Niklas could look like Urlacher in a few years.

 

[magogian]

I would like to see Shembo and Niklas inside. Niklas could look like Urlacher in a few years.

At a mininum, Niklas should look even more intimidating than Urlacher!

 

[irishog77]

At a mininum, Niklas should look even more intimidating than Urlacher!

Not until he gets a barbed wire tat across his bicep.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Agreed that the LB depth is nothing to worry about. Look at the names TerryTate mentioned...it's a pretty impressive list. Even if Te'o the Terrible doesn't come back for his senior year, imagine if the depth chart looked like this...

OLB: Shembo, I. Williams, Niklas
MLB: K.Moore, Rabasa
MLB: Fox, Calabrese, Grace
OLB: Utupo, Spond, Council

Not to mention Okwara coming in and that recent walk-on that was getting praise (I cant remember his name). I never played college football, but I do play rugby. Lining up against big guys isn't what you worry about. It's lining up against big guys, knowing they are just as athletic as you are, that gets in your head.

I really like what BK is doing with these recruiting classes.

Utopo plays inside. Shembo will likely move to the Cat next year and split time with Ishaq. If T'eo is gone Moore and Fox likely inside and Niklas will really get a chance to firm up a starting role at the Dog. I wouldnt mind seeing Shembo move inside alongside Moore with Ishaq at the Cat and Niklas Dog, but I think Shembo takes Flemming's role. He is clearly more effective rushing the passer off the edge than he is dropping into coverage.

 

[Irish Man3]

Not until he gets a barbed wire tat across his bicep.

And shaves his head and makes savage hits all over the field.

Niklas = looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch model

Urlacher = looks like a savage beast in a biker gang that eats small children

 

[Irish Beaver]

Is Baratti big enough for the Dog position? I know we've been playing Slaughter alot in the Dog spot against spread teams

 

[Old Man Mike]

Against certain sorts of offenses Slaughter proved that you can not only "get away with" the smaller, faster, more change-of-direction linebacker/nickel but actually dramatically improve yourself there. This was the ideal theory behind the West Virginia 3-3-5 when Casteel developed it. With the correct skills it is very effective. {last year, not this year, was an example}. Baratti might well be able to do something like that; so might Chris Badger. I was SO hoping for Perkins.....

 

[jason_h537]

The guys at II said that Councell is developing nicely, chased down Jonas from behind on one play.

You also have to remember, the LB's are very young. They look slow because they are still reacting to plays and learning rather than juts playing.

I am more worried about the inside.

 

[Irish Fam]

Moore has made some real nice plays in garbage time pt. I'm excited to see him in a full time role

 

[Rhode Irish]

Not until he gets a barbed wire tat across his bicep.

That isn't intimidating. Its cliched and kind of humorous.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Actually there was even a commercial where an official threw a flag on a barbedwire-wearing lineman for wearing a tattoo which was lame.

To me they are all superfluous [I can't imagine myself nor any of my brothers being impressed nor intimidated by some guy's writing on his body]. The sole exception to thinking it's superfluous is when it's part of a heritage like the Hawaiian-Samoan people. There's meaning there having nothing to do with football.

 

[BobD]

That isn't intimidating. Its cliched and kind of humorous.

Like using eye black to paint yourself up like an Indian?

 

[Old Man Mike]

My Virginia Tech player brother was old school and could back it up. He was for that time the equivalent of a Braxton Cave weight-lifting monster. Whenever he and his O-Line buddies saw a guy strutting something, it only provided a little more incentive to give him a seat on the bench with the trainers. The point is: you better REALLY be able to back the "display" [whatever it is] up, as certain dangerous people will only draw incentive to really "check you out". Anyone who would be intimidated by any of this is pretty weak-minded.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Niklas is going to out grow his llinebacker position. He's 6'7'' 250 Ibs right now, as a freshman. With 3 more years under Longo, it would be hard to imagine him not weighing over 270.

Here's how I see our linebacker situation next year: Shembo will shift over to CAT, Ishaq will back him up. Assuming Te'o comes back, our ILB corps wont change. As for DOG, Spond seems like the likely candidate. The backup DOG is up in the air, Niklas could be moved to DL, so if that happens, Councell seems most likely to be his backup unless we pick up some more recruits.

CAT: Shembo, I.Williams
MIKE: Te'o, Moore
JACK: Fox/Calabrese, Utupo
DOG: Spond, Councell

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Niklas is going to out grow his llinebacker position. He's 6'7'' 250 Ibs right now, as a freshman. With 3 more years under Longo, it would be hard to imagine him not weighing over 270.

Here's how I see our linebacker situation next year: Shembo will shift over to CAT, Ishaq will back him up. Assuming Te'o comes back, our ILB corps wont change. As for DOG, Spond seems like the likely candidate. The backup DOG is up in the air, Niklas could be moved to DL, so if that happens, Councell seems most likely to be his backup unless we pick up some more recruits.

CAT: Shembo, I.Williams
MIKE: Te'o, Moore
JACK: Fox/Calabrese, Utupo
DOG: Spond, Councell

Don't forget about J. Grace. He could play either inside or out.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Don't forget about J. Grace. He could play either inside or out.

Everything I've read about the kid implies that he's the closest thing to a pure ILB we got in last year's class. I don't see him moving.

 

[irishog77]

That isn't intimidating. Its cliched and kind of humorous.

Every time I see Brian Ulracher in person or on TV, I go run and hide...crying for my mommy the entire time. It's ALL because of the barbed wire tat. Same goes with Pam Anderson and hers too.

 

[FLDomer]

I am more concerned about or MLB position, especially if Te'o leaves! Moore and Grace I really dont know about because Moore has really only played special teams and clean up. Grace hasnt played at all, so he is a ? to me. Now Fox and Calabrese scare the hell out of me!! Calabrese doesnt look like he knows where he is supposed to be half the time and if he does, he clearly is to slow to get there. Fox...OMG...can he take worse angles!?!? I know Fox is a first year starter but I really have not seen any improvements in his game. I think our inexperiance and lack of atheletes at the ML could be a big issue for us. OLBs will learn... we got the players there ie. Niklas and Williams.

 

[NDinFL]

I like how Moore has looked, albeit in garbage time...

I have an inquiry, where does Rabasa stack up in this mix?

 

[TerryTate]

Shoulder surgery - ILB most likely

 

[NDinFL]

Shoulder surgery - ILB most likely

You mean Rabasa?

 

[TerryTate]

You mean Rabasa?

Yeah, that was in reference to Rabasa

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm worried about our OLBs in 2012; specifically the Dog.

The only guys with any experience we'll have are Shembo, Niklas, and Williams. Shembo has been a disaster in coverage, but should do well once he moves to Cat. Williams and Niklas are athletic freaks with huge upside, but both have struggled this year.

Spond is supposed to be one of our best LBs in coverage, but injuries have kept him off the field all year. Councell has lots of upside, but has no experience.

So we've basically got Shembo and Williams at Cat, a very inexperienced duo in Spond and Councell at Dog, and Niklas who's better suited to Cat, but at least is getting some reps at Dog now. Oh, and Okwara, who's probably going to be a project.

 

[NDdomer2]

I'm worried about our OLBs in 2012; specifically the Dog.

The only guys with any experience we'll have are Shembo, Niklas, and Williams. Shembo has been a disaster in coverage, but should do well once he moves to Cat. Williams and Niklas are athletic freaks with huge upside, but both have struggled this year.

Spond is supposed to be one of our best LBs in coverage, but injuries have kept him off the field all year. Councell has lots of upside, but has no experience.

So we've basically got Shembo and Williams at Cat, a very inexperienced duo in Spond and Councell at Dog, and Niklas who's better suited to Cat, but at least is getting some reps at Dog now. Oh, and Okwara, who's probably going to be a project.

Spond better be one of the best coverage LB's because he certainly isn't anywhere close to be a run stuffer. Did you see him in mop up time vs Maryland. Not pretty.