UNT Spring Football Series: Linebackers

Harry · June 20, 2012

After a somewhat extended hiatus from our post spring series on UNT’s roster, we are back at it today with a look at the Mean Green’s linebackers.

When one thinks about it now, linebacker was one of UNT’s deepest positions in 2011.

Zach Orr led UNT in tackles with 74, even though he missed the last three games of the season due to injury and was named second team All-Sun Belt.

Brad Graham posted 52 tackles, Mike Stojkovic 48, Forlando Johnson 41, Julian Herron 31, Will Wright 31, Jeremy Phillips 21 and Derek Akunne 20.

UNT was lucky it had as much depth as it did at linebacker. That depth helped the Mean Green get by in a season it lost Phillips for half the year and Orr for the last three games of the season due to injury.

UNT lost Graham, Johnson and Herron to graduation, which is a significant hit to the Mean Green’s rotation at outside linebacker. Herron was one of UNT’s best playmakers. He had four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and 3.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2012/06/post-spring-football-series-part-8-linebackers.html/

UNTLifer · June 20, 2012

So, Stojkovic could possibly return? Did I read that correctly? Does anyone know why he left the team? Seems to me that this was potentially not his decision to leave in the first place.

Marty · June 20, 2012

So, Stojkovic could possibly return? Did I read that correctly? Does anyone know why he left the team? Seems to me that this was potentially not his decision to leave in the first place.

That's my take on it also. Hope Stock rejoins the team. Coach Mac is very high on Akunne, he could be the playmaker we need to replace Herron.

H-towngreen · June 20, 2012

That's what it reads to me too. Vito, dig a little deeper on this for us buddy.

Harry · June 20, 2012

If Stock or his great parents are reading this right now please know how much we hope you come back...a big loss for us on all counts. GMG!

UNT90 · June 20, 2012

If Stock or his great parents are reading this right now please know how much we hope you come back...a big loss for us on all counts. GMG!

No doubt a huge loss.

Is there any possibility this is a grade issue and that he could regain eligibility by the fall?

UNTnewbie · June 20, 2012

No chance Stock is on the playing field next season but that doesn't mean he couldn't decide to come back and be ready for 2013 season.

MeanGreenGlory · June 20, 2012

No chance Stock is on the playing field next season but that doesn't mean he couldn't decide to come back and be ready for 2013 season.

Tell us what you know.

NT03 · June 21, 2012

Judging by his twitter , it sounds like maybe Stojo is back

Edited June 21, 2012 by NT03

Harry · June 21, 2012

Judging by his twitter , it sounds like maybe Stoko is back

Hope you are right!

H-towngreen · June 21, 2012

Judging by his twitter , it sounds like maybe Stojo is back

Said cant wait to be back in mean green nation. Wonder if he's back for football or just back visiting friends

Marty · June 21, 2012

Judging by his twitter , it sounds like maybe Stojo is back

Looks to be true:

http://twitter.com/#!/Mr_Stojkovic

H-towngreen · June 21, 2012

I don't think what he's posted on twitter verifys that he's back at NT? I hope it to be true though

Edited June 21, 2012 by H-towngreen

NT03 · June 21, 2012

All I can think about is ballin on the field with my boys # secondchance

I'm going to go ahead and say he's back !!!

greenminer · June 21, 2012

Brandin Byrd

‏

@

BByrd24

@

Mr_Stojkovic

when you coming back bro

Expand

3h

Michael Stojkovic

‏

@

Mr_Stojkovic

@

BByrd24

camp brotha

Expand

Brandin Byrd

BByrd24

Mr_Stojkovic

yeeeeeeeea!!!!

Harry · June 21, 2012

Wow great news!! GMG!!

H-towngreen · June 21, 2012

I retract m previous comments. This is huge. Stok was a huge plus for us as a fresh

MeanGreenTexan · June 21, 2012

So what exactly was the issue to have him away from the team for a while?

Maybe a specific reporter with an Italian-sounding last name could find out some details for us?

greenminer · June 21, 2012

So what exactly was the issue to have him away from the team for a while?

Maybe a specific reporter with an Italian-sounding last name could find out some details for us?

Or not. Maybe there's dirt here that does the public knowledge no good.

MeanGreenTexan · June 21, 2012

Or not. Maybe there's dirt here that does the public knowledge no good.

I beg your pardon sir!

I'm a TAXPAYING CITIZEN!!!

You may be right... just curious I suppose.

MeanGreenGlory · June 21, 2012

YES! This is great news. Loved watching him last year and will love watching him again this year.

With a year of experience under his belt and some extra motivation with this second chance - I'm thinking he'll be a beast on the field.

KRAM1 · June 21, 2012

Excellent....glad to welcome him back to the Mean green. This is truly very good news. Let's all hope it works out...lots of talent here and lots of tackles for the Mean Green.

Great kid and from what i hear, great family as well...the Mean Green can use all of that combination it can get. Good news, very good news!

ntmeangreen11 · June 22, 2012

Mother of mercy I am so happy Stok is back, and wish I would have read this topic earlier. Stok, Orr, Wright, Phillips, Akkune, Polk will all make each other better with the LB competition this fall. He was a great player as a freshman and has a bright future.