Oct 20, 2012; Lexington, KY, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) runs the ball as Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Tristian Johnson (51) and linebacker Josh Forrest (8) defend during the game at Commonwealth Stadium. Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Over the last two decades, the game of football has changed more than any other sport in America. It probably all started with the expansion of the passing game, but that’s a discussion for another day. The reality is that a series of drastic changes in schemes and philosophies has affected the level of importance of many different parts of the game and one of its biggest victims has been the linebacker position as we knew it. College and professional defensive coordinators alike are reinventing how and when they use linebackers and one team has had it figured out pretty well as of late.
Kentucky.
While Penn State is still holding onto the nickname of “Linebacker U” (along with some other, less-favorable ones of late), the Wildcats have held their own producing talent at the position. The most recent string of SEC-standouts to be made into professional linebackers started with current Titan Wesley Woodyard. After signing as a lightly recruited safety, Woodyard out performed every expectation during his time at Kentucky and paved the way for a lineage of players that excelled at the position in Lexington before moving on to the NFL. From Woodyard, to Braxton Kelley, to Micah Johnson, to Danny Trevathan, to Avery Williamson, the Kentucky defense hasn’t been without at least one exceptional linebacker since Rich Brooks’ first season. In fact, many guys like Winston Guy, Johnny Williams, and Sam Maxwell played their way into NFL rosters after excelling at UK. The often unrealized reality is that Kentucky has had unprecedented success at developing the linebacker position. When each standout has graduated and moved on, his replacement has been waiting in the wings as a known commodity.
Until right now that is.
Avery Williamson graduated after a celebrated career at Kentucky and was promptly snatched up by the Tennessee Titans. The problem is that this will be the first season in about ten years that the team has no idea who the next man up is. There are six scholarship linebackers on the roster at this time and with all due respect, it’s not exactly what fans might want. Of the six, only junior Khalid Henderson and freshman Dorian Hendrix were even recruited as linebackers in the first place. Tyler Brause (quarterback), Miles Simpson (running back), Josh Forrest (wide receiver), and Travaughn Paschal (defensive lineman) might have been brought in the play other positions, but all have spent at least the last season at linebacker. What the group might lack in traditional size (Henderson, Forrest, Simpson, and Hendrix are all listed between 229-231 pounds), they do bring a substantial boost in athleticism. While the athleticism will help Kentucky’s defense against the ever popular spread offenses, the lack of experience in the group in certainly concerning. Hendrix is a true freshman, and the other five have been part-time starters at best.
So basically, the heir apparent at linebacker isn’t so apparent.
That’s not to say that all hope is lost, it’s just that it’s not as obvious as it has been in years past. Josh Forrest looked promising in his first live look at middle linebacker. Henderson has always been bursting with potential. Even Hendrix looked far better than a freshman ever should in a spring game. Then there’s always the additions of junior college transfer Ryan Flannigan who will join true freshmen Kobie Walker and Nico Firios on campus in less than a month. All were hotly recruited and will be counted upon sooner rather than later.
While we may not know exactly who the standout(s) at linebacker will be, it’s a safe bet that there will be one. Mark Stoops has built his career on defense and defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot will oversee the linebackers himself. The solution is murky at this time, but it will become more clear as offseason progresses. The first order of business, will be to determine a starter at all three positions as none has an obvious incumbent.
So while the quarterback battle will get more publicity and the race for carries at running back is sexier, the battle for playing time among the linebackers will be just as important. Especially to those who took the excellent linebacker play over the past ten years for granted.