State Of The Squad By Position - Linebackers

March 1, 2008

The 2008 roster:

Colt Mahan 6-1 220 SR Played in 8 games last year (started 5)

Steve Warren 6-1 215 JR Redshirt

Craig Robertson 6-0 210 SO Played in 12 games last year

A. J. Penson 6-1 220 SO Played in 12 games last year

Bryant Seidle 6-3 230 SO Played in 1 game last year

Marquis Sykes 6-3 253 SO Played in 3 games last year

Scott Gilchrist 5-11 210 SO

Marquese Davis 6-1 230 FR Redshirt

Justin Padron 6-0 220 FR Redshirt

Bron Hager 6-1 210 FR Redshirt

Brandon Akpunku 6-1 210 FR

Except for Robertson and Mahan, this unit is short on experience. What they are long on is potential.

Colt Mahan had some injuries to deal with last year and only played in 8 games after playing in all 12 in 2006 and finishing 4th in tackles. I believe that he was hurt while on special teams and he shouldn't have to do that this year. I look for him to start. Another starter will be the great find of 2007....Craig Robertson. Robertson tied for 6th in total tackles but he had a whopping 5 interceptions, almost as many as the rest of the team combined (6). Penson played primarily on special teams until he was able to get into a few games at linebacker late in the season. I look for him to be the third starter. Beyond that, it's anybody's guess. Steve Warren lettered in 2006 as a safety and was held out last year while learning to play linebacker. I'm thinking that he played as a true freshman so this holdout year should count as a redshirt year. An ex-quarterback, he has great recognition to make up for a slight deficiency in speed. Bryant Seidle was injured in his first game last season and should be eligible for a medical redshirt. He lettered as a tight end his true freshman season, so since he has not had a redshirt season, the question may be moot. Marquis Sykes was moved from defensive end. I have no idea if he has the speed necessary to maike an impact upon this talented group. Davis and Padron were heralded high school linebackers and both should see an enormous amount of playing time. If Bron Hager is true to his clood lines (his dad was an all-conference LB at UT) then he should be another outstanding player. Scott Gilchrist is a walkon who played at Blinn but looks overmatched with this group. According to his coach, Akpunku was a steal. He has great speed and I think that he may be used on coverage teams this fall.

I did not include Tobe Nwigwe with this group. It's just too iffy as to whether he'll return or not. He's got a lot of his life to sort out before he even begins to think about football.

We've never had this must talent 3-deep before and I look for everyone listed (except Gilchrist) to play enough to letter.

ADLER · March 1, 2008

Steve Warren has great recognition to make up for a slight deficiency in speed.

From what I have seen of Warren he is pretty damn fast. Maybe that has changed with some of the additional weigh, but he was quite elusive back when he played quarterback and had the ability to sprint past defenders.

Knowledge of the linebacker position may be a challenge but he has had a year to learn the position.

GrandGreen · March 1, 2008

I believe Sykes will be a defensive end. Not sure how anyone could believe that this linebacker crew has unprecedented three deep talent. Outside of Penson, Robertson, and Mahon, this is largely a group of unknowns. But the coaching staff must agree there is a lot of talent, because linebacker was obviously not a priority in recruiting. The staff must surely see a lot of promise in the red-shirts; Hager, Warren, Padron and Davis. I will agree the most likely starters will be Pension, Robertson and Mahon; although none have played middle linebacker to the best of my knowledge.

Again, I think that linebacker is the most puzzling position on the team. Very little experience and no "Can't Miss" type of players waiting in the background. Robertson and Penson have star quality, and apparently the staff sees great potential in the other players.

March 1, 2008

From what I have seen of Warren he is pretty damn fast. Maybe that has changed with some of the additional weigh, but he was quite elusive back when he played quarterback and had the ability to sprint past defenders.
Knowledge of the linebacker position may be a challenge but he has had a year to learn the position.

That was really an error on my part when I was thinking about his play at safety. The fastest time that I've seen for him is 4.6 (probably hand-timed). That is a tad slow for a defensive back but is good speed for a linebacker. There will still be several linebackers faster but he'll hold his own with most and his recognition will get him there quickly.