I was looking at the roster and see ALOT of depth at Linebacker.

Already here:
Colin Weingrad
Blake Poole
Sean Kurtz
Desdan Hester (injured?)
Justin Cudworth
Jake Pennese
Steve Brown

There is a lot of talent returning here. Cudworth has shown flashes. Weingrad has been solid and Poole have been solid. Kurtz is coming off of an injury, but brings a solid reputation with him. Steve Brown is a Senior, but I'm not sure where he fits in here. Jake Pennese saw a lot of action at the one practice I attended.

Coming in:
Hunter Matt
Anthony Zappone
Ike Spearman
Tim Brown

This is a SOLID group of linebackers to bring in. Tim Brown's recruiting videos look great and I'm excited to see how he handles his transition from JUCO ball to the MAC. The other three are young and were a large reason why people were so excited about this recruiting class.

Question marks:
Amos Houston- Listed as an "Athlete" with the recruiting class, but seems to have played some LB as well as Safety and WR. What will he be here at EMU?
Matt Boyd- Was a linebacker his first two years. He started to see some time at fullback last year and now appears on the roster as a fullback. Will this be where he stays?
Bryan Pali- Played very well in his time at linebacker last year, but was recruited as a Safety and is now listed as a DB again. With the depth at LB and the concerns at Safety, will Pali be a Safety? Will we see him back at LB?

What do you all think?

Dear KPJ,
Desdan Hester had an achilles tendon injury, and was on the sidelines at the spring practice I attended. I spoke with him briefly, and he said he would be ready by the fall. I know nothing of those kinds of injuries when one talks of heal time, so, I guess it depends on the severity of the injury. He was in a strap on boot kind of brace.

I am not sure if this add anything to the topic but I saw Tim Brown in person and be is about 6'1 1/2 and built like a sh*thouse.. I think he will be one of the starters this year if he plays like his highlight film shows...

We should be okay in the future with the freshmen LB'er who are coming in.. They may even redshirt a couple of them..

Pali will probably stay at the LB'er position because he played well there and they want someone who has played there before.. I understand now why English is saying he feel good about this position..

I would think Houston will play either safety or move to LB, he is a big kid 6'2 and 220 already..

This is the strongest unit on defense. I would like to see them redshirt at least two of the frosh but for depth reasons I can see that may be difficult.

(05-03-2012 10:30 AM)emu79 Wrote:  This is the strongest unit on defense. I would like to see them redshirt at least two of the frosh but for depth reasons I can see that may be difficult.

Can we trade some LBs to...

KPJ:

We know know about frosh until they step on the scale and see what they weigh.

From what is written here, a big question is:

Houston: at 210 he is a WR or Safety; at 225 - 235 linebacker. Anything more say 245 - 250, he could grow into a rush DE.

250 and WR quicks is lethal in the MAC.

As has been mentioned here a number of times, some recruits can add say 10 -15% to their h.s. playing weight and result in a position change.

I still believe adding 10% to Lewis could make him an up back in front of Scherrer, Greene, etc.

(05-03-2012 10:30 AM)emu79 Wrote:  This is the strongest unit on defense. I would like to see them redshirt at least two of the frosh but for depth reasons I can see that may be difficult.

Matt and Zappone are prime redshirt candidates.

From the interview I heard with Matt (and his h.s. coach, Ron Adams) seem to expect a redshirt.

Penesse is from my school in Toledo. I'm surprised he walked on and made it at EMU. He's a little bit undersized. It's good to see he his playing.