GOMEANGREEN Postional Breakdown: Linebackers

[TheReal_jayD]

We will start out the breakdown with the linebacking core. This is a group that is losing two long time contributors in KD Davis and Larry Nixon. That is 671 career tackles that new LB Coach Colby Kratch is tasked with replacing. With his Iowa State variation of the 3-3-5 defense, we will see a third linebacker on the field. Last Season at Iowa State they ran out a LB core that had sizes of 5-11 231, 6-2 260 and 6-4 242. We will not see a LB trio with that same kind of size this season. But I do believe they will make up for it with speed. Here are my overall thoughts on the LB group.

TOP RETURNERS

Jordan Brown and Kevin Wood are the veterans of this group. They are the top returning players in this group. Both have seen extended periods of playing time in the last few seasons. Woods and Brown combined for eighty-nine tackles this last season. I can see one of the two along with Oklahoma State transfer Carson Kropp locking down the MLB spot this upcoming season.

BREAKOUT STAR

Redshirt Freshman Ethan Wesloski from McKinney Boyd could very well have a breakout season. He has the measurables at 6-1, 229. While at Boyd, Ethan was a tackling machine. He had almost three hundred tackles in his Jr and Sr years. After a year on campus and redshirting this past season, he will look to take a leap this upcoming season. Wesloski made great strides this spring. If the growth continues this fall, I would not be surprised to see him starting at WLB come September 2^nd.

SAME FACE/NEW POSITION

A name that is new to the Linebacker room but not to the North Texas program is Jaylen Smith. Smith has played in 27 games the past two seasons for North Texas, mostly on special teams. But the new defensive staff moved Smith to linebacker from defensive back this past spring. He will add speed to the linebacking core. Smith, who is a Jr., goes a solid 5-11, 212. Smith could also be in line to break the 2-deep this fall at the SLB position and if he does remember you heard it here first.   If he does not, then I will not recall ever saying it.

NEW ADDITIONS

Three names that are new to the North Texas program that could break the 2 deep this fall are Chavez Brown, CJ Garnett and Matthew Moore. Brown and Garnett both came from the JUCO ranks. Chavez Brown is an interesting story. He is a converted TE coming from Butler CC. He has size and athleticism that should be able to contribute early at North Texas.

I had the privilege to interview CJ Garnett after he committed from Blinn this spring. He is a super intelligent kid that is super excited to be a part of the North Texas football program. He had an impressive tape out of Blinn. I think he will battle for the SLB position come fall camp.

The third and final new addition on my list is HS addition Matthew Moore from Killeen. Moore is one of my favorite signees from the 2023 class for North Texas. He is a super smart kid that flew around the field like a missile. If you watched his high school film, you could not miss it. Moore not only brings speed but decent size for a true freshman, coming in at 6 ft 218.  He and Brown will be battling for a chance to break the two deep out of fall camp at the WLB position.

GOMEANGREEN OVERALL THOUGHTS

I think even though North Texas is losing some key contributors in the linebacking core, this group has the potential to be a bright spot this season. I believe due to several players with high ceilings and a new defensive scheme this group could surprise a lot of North Texas fans this season. 

 

Interview Links 

CJ Garnett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tOS3CBUvwo

Matthew Moore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbuFoj5EqcM

 

Edited August 3, 2023 by TheReal_jayD

[Glory to the Green]

Good stuff. Thanks for your insight!  KD mentioned Jordan Brown as a player who could take his place for this upcoming season. It was during the SL show towards the end of the year.  Excited to see who emerges in the Fall!

[cousin oliver]

Nice article.  You have given me more hope at a position I felt like was one of our biggest challenges this year.  I also see Jordan Brown emerging.

[jtm0097]

Thanks for the position group update. Great job! I look forward to reading these each week.

It's crazy Iowa State had a 260 pound LB.

[Okiefan]

I see Wood at WLB, Kropp at MLB, and Brown at SLB. From what I have read across multiple publications, others seem to agree on the three even though some had them in different spots.  In addition, I think Wesloski will be the back-up WLB and get reps. They will need some rotation with the front 6. I also think thee will be some packages run in certain situations that will allow for a a rush end or even a dime coverage with an extra DB. I like the odd stack for its versatility. Especially playing an option team like Navy, they need to be able to adjust. My biggest question is do we have a NG that can take on two in the middle.

[MGNation92]

8 minutes ago, Okiefan said:

I see Wood at WLB, Kropp at MLB, and Brown at SLB. From what I have read across multiple publications, others seem to agree on the three even though some had them in different spots.  In addition, I think Wesloski will be the back-up WLB and get reps. They will need some rotation with the front 6. I also think thee will be some packages run in certain situations that will allow for a a rush end or even a dime coverage with an extra DB. I like the odd stack for its versatility. Especially playing an option team like Navy, they need to be able to adjust. My biggest question is do we have a NG that can take on two in the middle.

When we had the right DB's (Hall/Brooks), Reffett's 3-3-5 was humming at times, just inconsistent. Hopefully Caponi's version is more solid and less boom or bust

[Hunter Green]

Great write up. Is the LB from Frisco, Fann I believe is the last name, still committed to us?

[Wag Tag]

Iowa D the MLB is really a stand up off the line, d lineman. I had thought we might see M Richards move to the position at 6’1” 240lbs.

Edited July 25, 2023 by Wag Tag

[Okiefan]

24 minutes ago, Wag Tag said:

Iowa D the MLB is really a stand up off the line, d lineman. I had thought we might see M Richards move to the position at 6’1” 240lbs.

From what I have been told about the 3/3/5 Iowa State scheme, the MLB is dedicated to stopping the run (tackle to tackle) and fitting the opposite A/B gap from the NG responsibility. SLB will be at the hash on trip formations and dedicated to playing in space in most situations. WLB will be 1/2 box and 1/2 weak side hash to flat coverage depending on coverage calls.  

[Wag Tag]

Agree so I would think size would be critical. ISU MLB was 260lbs curious to see how effective we are with 225lbs.

[meanrob]

Love the breakdown. Little concerned about the level of play and depth at LB. Ready to be pleasantly surprised though. 

[UNTLifer]

Curious about the projections of Van Zandt and Leota at LB as well.  Love hearing how Wesloski is developing and Moore's potential to contribute as a freshman.  I would hope Brown and Garnett have the ability to contribute immediately being JUCO additions and aren't just depth adds.  Also, really curious to see how Fann contributes, if any, as a freshman.  I think he has a huge upside.

[Okiefan]

3 minutes ago, UNTLifer said:

Curious about the projections of Van Zandt and Leota at LB as well.  Love hearing how Wesloski is developing and Moore's potential to contribute as a freshman.  I would hope Brown and Garnett have the ability to contribute immediately being JUCO additions and aren't just depth adds.  Also, really curious to see how Fann contributes, if any, as a freshman.  I think he has a huge upside.

I think that Leota has to learn the techniques and assignments needed at the LB position as he has been a pure edge rusher but has the athletic ability to contribute for sure. I expect him to be a package guy on pure passing downs off the edge. I haven't heard much of anything about Van Zandt as he didn't even get reps at the spring game. Maybe that knee injury was more significant then reported.

[MGNation92]

1 hour ago, UNTLifer said:

Curious about the projections of Van Zandt and Leota at LB as well.  Love hearing how Wesloski is developing and Moore's potential to contribute as a freshman.  I would hope Brown and Garnett have the ability to contribute immediately being JUCO additions and aren't just depth adds.  Also, really curious to see how Fann contributes, if any, as a freshman.  I think he has a huge upside.

https://meangreensports.com/sports/football/roster

He'd have to get on the roster first....

[jtm0097]

4 minutes ago, MGNation92 said:

https://meangreensports.com/sports/football/roster

He'd have to get on the roster first....

I think Walk Ons don't appear until they're enrolled. I could be wrong, but I think this is the case.

[UNTLifer]

2 hours ago, jtm0097 said:

I think Walk Ons don't appear until they're enrolled. I could be wrong, but I think this is the case.

Correct.  They will show up once they report.

[GrayEagle]

I saw recently that KD Davis is returning for his last year.  So I'd guess that it will be KD in the middle flanked by Brown and Wood.  Strong first unit.  The battle now is who will be on the second unit.  I'm thinking that Fann and Leota are likely to be two of them.

[Mean Green 93-98]

15 minutes ago, GrayEagle said:

I saw recently that KD Davis is returning for his last year.  

He's already played 5 years.  He never took a redshirt.  Even with the COVID year, his eligibility is done.

[GrayEagle]

2 hours ago, Mean Green 93-98 said:

He's already played 5 years.  He never took a redshirt.  Even with the COVID year, his eligibility is done.

My bad.  You are right.   Although I saw it recently I didn't check the original date.  I believe now that it was a reposting of last year's thread.

[TheReal_jayD]

Fann will join the team once school begins. 

[MGNation92]

3 hours ago, TheReal_jayD said:

Fann will join the team once school begins. 

Thanks for the clarification! I was worried he decided to go elsewhere. Hell of a player for a PWO

[GrayEagle]

I was reasonably sure that Blake Fann wasn't going anywhere.  I could be wrong but I saw that there was a picture of Blake signing some type of document.  True walkons don't sign anything they just show up.  There could only be three reasons that he could be signing anything I reasoned.  1) He was a preferred walkon signing a document guaranteeing him a scholarship next year, 2)  He was signing for a scholastic scholarship that he qualified for which he will use his freshman year, or 3) He was receiving NIL money to cover the cost of his first year and will receive a scholarship his sophomore year.

[Hunter Green]

On 7/26/2023 at 6:27 AM, TheReal_jayD said:

Fann will join the team once school begins. 

I think that kid has huge upside. With all the question marks at LB, I wouldn't be surprised if he's offered a Scholly by the end of the year. Just a feeling, though. 

[Tommy Gadberry]

I like Kevin Wood!

[GrayEagle]

I believe that the third starting linebacking position will be a battle between C J Garnett, Chavez Brown, and Blake Fann.  Two of these (that do not make the first unit will likely be on the second unit with Carson Kropp.