8timechamps
7/13/2013, 07:37 PM
After a brief absence, the board is back up and here is my 2013 linebacker preview:
2013 Position Preview: Linebacker
2012 Recap
There’s nothing to say that hasn’t already been said about last year’s linebacker situation. It was mostly non-existent late in the year, and even when the unit was on the field, they weren’t overly productive. 2012 is a year to forget in Sooner linebacker history.
2013 Preview
I saved the linebackers for the last defensive unit to preview, because there is a lot we just don’t know right now. Who will start? How many linebackers will be on the field? Will any linebackers be on the field? Mike Stoops was quoted in an offseason interview as saying that last year, they (the coaching staff) “did the unit an injustice”. 20/20 Hindsight is pretty clear, but what will that mean going forward? There are good athletes on the roster, but can they play effectively? Like all the other questions we have about this year’s squad, there will not be any answers until the season starts.
There were rumblings during this offseason that Mike Stoops was going to switch to a 3-4 defense, and it almost appears that may be the case based on the type of front seven players the Sooners have recruited. While there was no indication in the spring game that the Sooners would move away from the 4-2-5, it remains to be seen whether or not the defense is in for a schematic change in 2013.
Here are the linebackers on the 2013 roster:
#7 – Corey Nelson (Senior)/LB
Once billed by Bob Stoops as the “best athlete on the team”, Nelson has yet to break out and prove Stoops was correct. In 2011, Nelson seemed to be developing into the kind of linebacker OU is used to fielding, and received an honorable mention as a member of the 2011 all-conference team. The same year, Nelson recorded 5.5 sacks (the most of any LB that year), and showed a lot of promise. Then, in 2012, he seemed to disappear at times (even when Stoops played LBs). For 2013, Nelson has to play like the player he was billed to be, and be an active, disruptive force. Nelson should be a returning starter, and must be a dependable leader if the 2013 defense looks to make better showing.
#20 – Frank Shannon (R – Sophomore)/LB
During a year that didn’t provide many positives from the linebacker corps, Shannon announced his arrival against Texas Tech with a 5 tackle performance that included his first collegiate sack. As quickly as it appeared OU had a playmaker at LB, Shannon failed to follow up his performance the following week against Texas, recording no tackles. For the remainder of the season, Shannon was a hit and miss player, but showed flashes (that he could make an impact) at times. For 2013, Shannon appears poised to be a starter, and could develop into a much needed play-maker at LB. The downside for Shannon is inexperience, but hopefully he develops over the summer and can reinvigorate a sagging unit.
#19 – Eric Striker (Sophomore)/LB
Considered a top 20 safety out of high school, Striker played his way out of a redshirt at linebacker his freshman year. Striker saw time in all 13 games (mainly on special teams), but never had much of a chance to gain experience at linebacker. Striker is not a big linebacker (6’0” 198), but makes up for it with his speed. Not quite big enough to play a hybrid end/OLB, Striker will have to work hard to find playing time in 2013. In high school, Striker set a school record for sacks (playing safety), and if he wants to earn meaningful time on the field, he’ll need to bring that same type of performance this summer. There is upside to Striker, but the downside remains his size. I anticipate Striker will continue to be a special teams player, that ends up a backup on the depth chart.
#25 – Aaron Franklin (R – Junior)/LB
Franklin has spent most of his time at OU on special teams, where he has been a solid contributor. A highly sought after recruit coming out of high school, Franklin has yet to play himself into a starting role at linebacker. Franklin saw action in 12 games in 2012, and proved to be a serviceable back up at linebacker. In 2013, Franklin needs to show he can be a dependable player if he wants to challenge for a starting spot. One of the remaining Venables recruits, Franklin has the speed to play a role against high power Big XII offenses, but like Frank Shannon, he’ll need to prove he can be counted on if he wants to make an impact. Franklin could be in the mix to start by the time the season rolls around.
#45 – Caleb Gastelum (Junior)/LB
Gastelum, the walk-on junior hasn’t seen much time at linebacker in his first two years, and I don’t expect that to change much over the next two years. A contributor on special teams and a solid practice player, Gastelum is lost on the depth chart in 2013.
#31 – Londell Taylor (R – Sophomore)/LB
Like Gastelum, Taylor is a walk-on player. I know next to nothing about Taylor, and haven’t heard his name mentioned during spring or summer workouts.
No number – Dominique Alexander (Incoming Freshman)/LB
Alexander, a smallish linebacker (6’0”, 190 lbs) was considered an “athlete” coming out of high school (having played linebacker, cornerback, quarterback and wide receiver in high school), but is expected to be a dedicated linebacker at OU. Originally committed to Arkansas (as a linebacker), Alexander flipped his commitment and chose OU over Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas State, Oregon State, Texas Tech and others. Alexander is a bit of a throwback player in the sense that the Stoops brothers went and found the best athlete available, and will develop him into a player than can benefit the team. I anticipate 2013 to be a redshirt season for Alexander, but expect big things from him in the next few years.
Projected Two-Deep:
(Note: This is based on a 4-2-5 Defense. I will post a projected two-deep for a 3-4 defense in the final wrap-up)
LB: Corey Nelson
Backup: Eric Striker
LB: Frank Shannon
Backup: Aaron Franklin
Next Up: Offensive Line
2013 Position Preview: Linebacker
2012 Recap
There’s nothing to say that hasn’t already been said about last year’s linebacker situation. It was mostly non-existent late in the year, and even when the unit was on the field, they weren’t overly productive. 2012 is a year to forget in Sooner linebacker history.
2013 Preview
I saved the linebackers for the last defensive unit to preview, because there is a lot we just don’t know right now. Who will start? How many linebackers will be on the field? Will any linebackers be on the field? Mike Stoops was quoted in an offseason interview as saying that last year, they (the coaching staff) “did the unit an injustice”. 20/20 Hindsight is pretty clear, but what will that mean going forward? There are good athletes on the roster, but can they play effectively? Like all the other questions we have about this year’s squad, there will not be any answers until the season starts.
There were rumblings during this offseason that Mike Stoops was going to switch to a 3-4 defense, and it almost appears that may be the case based on the type of front seven players the Sooners have recruited. While there was no indication in the spring game that the Sooners would move away from the 4-2-5, it remains to be seen whether or not the defense is in for a schematic change in 2013.
Here are the linebackers on the 2013 roster:
#7 – Corey Nelson (Senior)/LB
Once billed by Bob Stoops as the “best athlete on the team”, Nelson has yet to break out and prove Stoops was correct. In 2011, Nelson seemed to be developing into the kind of linebacker OU is used to fielding, and received an honorable mention as a member of the 2011 all-conference team. The same year, Nelson recorded 5.5 sacks (the most of any LB that year), and showed a lot of promise. Then, in 2012, he seemed to disappear at times (even when Stoops played LBs). For 2013, Nelson has to play like the player he was billed to be, and be an active, disruptive force. Nelson should be a returning starter, and must be a dependable leader if the 2013 defense looks to make better showing.
#20 – Frank Shannon (R – Sophomore)/LB
During a year that didn’t provide many positives from the linebacker corps, Shannon announced his arrival against Texas Tech with a 5 tackle performance that included his first collegiate sack. As quickly as it appeared OU had a playmaker at LB, Shannon failed to follow up his performance the following week against Texas, recording no tackles. For the remainder of the season, Shannon was a hit and miss player, but showed flashes (that he could make an impact) at times. For 2013, Shannon appears poised to be a starter, and could develop into a much needed play-maker at LB. The downside for Shannon is inexperience, but hopefully he develops over the summer and can reinvigorate a sagging unit.
#19 – Eric Striker (Sophomore)/LB
Considered a top 20 safety out of high school, Striker played his way out of a redshirt at linebacker his freshman year. Striker saw time in all 13 games (mainly on special teams), but never had much of a chance to gain experience at linebacker. Striker is not a big linebacker (6’0” 198), but makes up for it with his speed. Not quite big enough to play a hybrid end/OLB, Striker will have to work hard to find playing time in 2013. In high school, Striker set a school record for sacks (playing safety), and if he wants to earn meaningful time on the field, he’ll need to bring that same type of performance this summer. There is upside to Striker, but the downside remains his size. I anticipate Striker will continue to be a special teams player, that ends up a backup on the depth chart.
#25 – Aaron Franklin (R – Junior)/LB
Franklin has spent most of his time at OU on special teams, where he has been a solid contributor. A highly sought after recruit coming out of high school, Franklin has yet to play himself into a starting role at linebacker. Franklin saw action in 12 games in 2012, and proved to be a serviceable back up at linebacker. In 2013, Franklin needs to show he can be a dependable player if he wants to challenge for a starting spot. One of the remaining Venables recruits, Franklin has the speed to play a role against high power Big XII offenses, but like Frank Shannon, he’ll need to prove he can be counted on if he wants to make an impact. Franklin could be in the mix to start by the time the season rolls around.
#45 – Caleb Gastelum (Junior)/LB
Gastelum, the walk-on junior hasn’t seen much time at linebacker in his first two years, and I don’t expect that to change much over the next two years. A contributor on special teams and a solid practice player, Gastelum is lost on the depth chart in 2013.
#31 – Londell Taylor (R – Sophomore)/LB
Like Gastelum, Taylor is a walk-on player. I know next to nothing about Taylor, and haven’t heard his name mentioned during spring or summer workouts.
No number – Dominique Alexander (Incoming Freshman)/LB
Alexander, a smallish linebacker (6’0”, 190 lbs) was considered an “athlete” coming out of high school (having played linebacker, cornerback, quarterback and wide receiver in high school), but is expected to be a dedicated linebacker at OU. Originally committed to Arkansas (as a linebacker), Alexander flipped his commitment and chose OU over Arkansas, Nebraska, Kansas State, Oregon State, Texas Tech and others. Alexander is a bit of a throwback player in the sense that the Stoops brothers went and found the best athlete available, and will develop him into a player than can benefit the team. I anticipate 2013 to be a redshirt season for Alexander, but expect big things from him in the next few years.
Projected Two-Deep:
(Note: This is based on a 4-2-5 Defense. I will post a projected two-deep for a 3-4 defense in the final wrap-up)
LB: Corey Nelson
Backup: Eric Striker
LB: Frank Shannon
Backup: Aaron Franklin
Next Up: Offensive Line