Spring football preview: Linebackers
Missouri will open its third spring under Barry Odom next month. Over the next two weeks, we preview spring ball position by position. Today, it's the linebackers.
SPRING FOOTBALL 2018: LINEBACKERS
The Starters: Missouri brings back its three most productive linebackers from a year ago in Cale Garrett, Terez Hall and Brandon Lee. It seems reasonable that the trio will once again have the inside track to the starting jobs, with Garrett playing in the middle, Lee on the strong side and Hall on the weak side. Garrett led the Tigers with 99 total tackles a season ago. Hall was second with 80. Lee totaled 42 and also returned an interception for a touchdown.
The Backups: Behind the three returning starters, Missouri’s depth chart at linebacker is pretty wide open. Outside linebackers Tavon Ross and Joshuah Bledsoe, both of whom have experience at defensive back, should compete for playing time, especially in coverage situations. Freshman Jamal Brooks contributed on special teams a season ago and figured to be in the running to back up Garret at middle linebacker, but he may not yet be ready to play during the spring due to a torn ACL he suffered against Arkansas last November. Fellow freshman Aubrey Miller also saw limited action on special teams a season ago and could continue in that role this season while looking for playing time at outside linebacker.
https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2018/chad-bailey-85811Potential Storylines: How big of an impact can Miller and, if he plays this spring, Brooks, make? The two both played on special teams as true freshmen rather than redshirting. After a full offseason of work, the staff will likely look for Miller to take a step forward, and possibly challenge for a starting spot by some point next fall. Brooks looked to be the most likely candidate to back up Garrett in the middle, but he will have to prove he’s healthy first.
Spring Prediction: Garrett, Hall and Lee will maintain their spots atop the depth chart, and Bledsoe will see significant playing time as a defensive back-linebacker hybrid.
Help on the Way: Missouri added four new linebackers in its 2018 class, several of whom could work their way onto the two-deep depth chart, especially at the middle linebacker position. Four-star prospect Chad Bailey, the Tigers’ highest-rated recruit in the class, has been praised by inside linebackers coach Vernon Hargreaves for his physicality and versatility. Cameron Wilkins could also have the makings of a middle linebacker. Outside linebacker Gerald Nathan Jr. and Nick Bolton, who signed with the Tigers in February, are most likely to see the field on special teams this season.
MORE SPRING PREVIEWS
Coming tomorrow: Defensive ends