My position breakdown discussion got derailed for a while as work and then a trip to wedding took front and center. Today, on St Paddy’s day while I watch some hoops at my desk I figure it’d be a great time to round out the position discussions. We’ve got linebackers still to discuss and special teams. Let’s start with the linebacker corps, who is replacing all three starters, just like we’ve had happen a few times recently such as in 2014 and 2008. This group is returning just two backers with some in-game experience and a few others who were major ST contributors last season. Let’s break it down:
Starters
OLB – Josh Buss - Soph
MLB – Connor Strahm - Jr
OLB – Cy Sirmon – RS Fr
2nd string
OLB – Shayne Cochran - Soph
MLB – Jimmy Banks - Soph
OLB – Alex Thomas - Soph
Depth
OLB – Dante Olson – RS Fr
MLB – David Fa’atuiese – RS Fr
OLB – Gage Smith - Soph
Redshirt
Trase Le Texier & Jace Lewis
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Josh Buss – Maybe one of the better special teams stand-out players from last season, Josh is going to be looked upon to rapidly make the transition to starter. A wicked hitter and a faster/lighter linebacker, he might be our better/best guy for pass coverage. Buss played a lot of 2nd string in camps and practice for the past two years, now it’s his time to step up. Quick edit, I originally stated Buss had just ST experience but he did in some reps in-game as an OLB.
Connor Strahm – I know this has been dragged out and beaten to death but Strahm is the bully of the group, the enforcer on the field, and what appears to be the chief trash-talker. He backs it up with the way he plays too. He’ll need to balance his mean attitude to prevent as many personal fouls but I think he’ll adjust nicely to starting in the middle of the field. Strahm is a sturdy run-stopping middle linebacker and he’s no slouch in pass coverage as he played safety in high school. He’s the one linebacker we have with some in-game experience as a linebacker as he was used in some hybrid 3-4 sets last season. He was also in on just about every special teams play too.
Cy Sirmon – Lots of hype around Cy coming out of high school as one of the better LB recruits we’ve seen in a while. Listed as a 3-star recruit out of Washington Sirmon might get an early look to start at OLB. A taller and bigger linebacker that some thought might convert to DE, Sirmon could be that kind of guy we use in the 3-4 set as a primary pass rusher. He’ll add good size in the running game as well. Haven’t seen much of his pass coverage skills, something to watch this spring.
Shayne Cochran – I don’t think Shayne played much last season, he’s not listed on the stat sheet. He was one of the younger LBs who was making some nice plays last spring. With this roster wide open we’ll have to see how he rounds in the group. Joined the Griz with Josh Buss and has a little bit of a leg-up with experience on the team and time in the system.
Jimmy Banks – Banks is transferring in from UAB where he played MLB. It’ll be interesting to see how he fits in with the defense, if it’s as a backup or a dual ILB in the 3-4, or if they give him a shot to compete at OLB. I’d think that when Semore rolls out the 3-4 sets we’ll see Banks starting alongside Strahm.
Alex Thomas – I’ve been a fan of this guy for a while now, a guy that came in a bit behind the curve but with a tremendous hard-working attitude. Thomas started to look more comfortable in the system and was making some plays last spring. If he can keep showing improvement he might compete for a starting job.
Dante Olson – Olson was a standout recruit from last year and is another guy who has a good shot to make an impact. Coming out of high school he was a 3 year starter and praised for his high motor on the field. In a wide open OLB race he could find himself in the hunt real fast.
David Fa’atuiese – Buried a bit in depth I think David will become our next great MLB. He’s got a few years to adapt but will be looked upon to help with special teams and some spot-duty for Strahm and Banks. He’s one of the bigger LB’s we’ve got.
Gage Smith – Smith was a guy that I also don’t think saw the field much this last season. Out of Whitefish and a sophomore he’s got good size at 6-3. Like the rest of the OLB’s… if he can make an argument for the job he’ll land it. I believe his high school stats show he’s one of our quicker OLBs, which could be a good benefit.
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So I suppose it seems pretty clear… there’s a ton of wide-open races and not a lot known about our LB corps headed into spring ball. This group reverts back to more guys that came out of high school as linebackers, instead of as safeties, which could suggest some improved rush defense. What’ll be interesting to watch is how they respond in the passing game.
The other aspect to this group is the defensive scheme. If it’s a 3-4 I assume we’ll see Banks and Strahm as the ILB’s. With the OLB’s will we see one of our D-ends turn into a pass-rushing OLB, like Tucker Schye? We’re probably going to find out soon enough.
These guys are going to be looked upon to adapt FAST. I like that we’ve got 9 guys for depth going into the spring, in years past we’ve only had 6 or 7 linebackers which has left the ranks awfully thin, especially when struck with an injury or two. This could be one of the fiercer battles for starting jobs we see of all the positions on the roster. Should be fun to watch!
Starters
OLB – Josh Buss - Soph
MLB – Connor Strahm - Jr
OLB – Cy Sirmon – RS Fr
2nd string
OLB – Shayne Cochran - Soph
MLB – Jimmy Banks - Soph
OLB – Alex Thomas - Soph
Depth
OLB – Dante Olson – RS Fr
MLB – David Fa’atuiese – RS Fr
OLB – Gage Smith - Soph
Redshirt
Trase Le Texier & Jace Lewis
-------------
Josh Buss – Maybe one of the better special teams stand-out players from last season, Josh is going to be looked upon to rapidly make the transition to starter. A wicked hitter and a faster/lighter linebacker, he might be our better/best guy for pass coverage. Buss played a lot of 2nd string in camps and practice for the past two years, now it’s his time to step up. Quick edit, I originally stated Buss had just ST experience but he did in some reps in-game as an OLB.
Connor Strahm – I know this has been dragged out and beaten to death but Strahm is the bully of the group, the enforcer on the field, and what appears to be the chief trash-talker. He backs it up with the way he plays too. He’ll need to balance his mean attitude to prevent as many personal fouls but I think he’ll adjust nicely to starting in the middle of the field. Strahm is a sturdy run-stopping middle linebacker and he’s no slouch in pass coverage as he played safety in high school. He’s the one linebacker we have with some in-game experience as a linebacker as he was used in some hybrid 3-4 sets last season. He was also in on just about every special teams play too.
Cy Sirmon – Lots of hype around Cy coming out of high school as one of the better LB recruits we’ve seen in a while. Listed as a 3-star recruit out of Washington Sirmon might get an early look to start at OLB. A taller and bigger linebacker that some thought might convert to DE, Sirmon could be that kind of guy we use in the 3-4 set as a primary pass rusher. He’ll add good size in the running game as well. Haven’t seen much of his pass coverage skills, something to watch this spring.
Shayne Cochran – I don’t think Shayne played much last season, he’s not listed on the stat sheet. He was one of the younger LBs who was making some nice plays last spring. With this roster wide open we’ll have to see how he rounds in the group. Joined the Griz with Josh Buss and has a little bit of a leg-up with experience on the team and time in the system.
Jimmy Banks – Banks is transferring in from UAB where he played MLB. It’ll be interesting to see how he fits in with the defense, if it’s as a backup or a dual ILB in the 3-4, or if they give him a shot to compete at OLB. I’d think that when Semore rolls out the 3-4 sets we’ll see Banks starting alongside Strahm.
Alex Thomas – I’ve been a fan of this guy for a while now, a guy that came in a bit behind the curve but with a tremendous hard-working attitude. Thomas started to look more comfortable in the system and was making some plays last spring. If he can keep showing improvement he might compete for a starting job.
Dante Olson – Olson was a standout recruit from last year and is another guy who has a good shot to make an impact. Coming out of high school he was a 3 year starter and praised for his high motor on the field. In a wide open OLB race he could find himself in the hunt real fast.
David Fa’atuiese – Buried a bit in depth I think David will become our next great MLB. He’s got a few years to adapt but will be looked upon to help with special teams and some spot-duty for Strahm and Banks. He’s one of the bigger LB’s we’ve got.
Gage Smith – Smith was a guy that I also don’t think saw the field much this last season. Out of Whitefish and a sophomore he’s got good size at 6-3. Like the rest of the OLB’s… if he can make an argument for the job he’ll land it. I believe his high school stats show he’s one of our quicker OLBs, which could be a good benefit.
----------------
So I suppose it seems pretty clear… there’s a ton of wide-open races and not a lot known about our LB corps headed into spring ball. This group reverts back to more guys that came out of high school as linebackers, instead of as safeties, which could suggest some improved rush defense. What’ll be interesting to watch is how they respond in the passing game.
The other aspect to this group is the defensive scheme. If it’s a 3-4 I assume we’ll see Banks and Strahm as the ILB’s. With the OLB’s will we see one of our D-ends turn into a pass-rushing OLB, like Tucker Schye? We’re probably going to find out soon enough.
These guys are going to be looked upon to adapt FAST. I like that we’ve got 9 guys for depth going into the spring, in years past we’ve only had 6 or 7 linebackers which has left the ranks awfully thin, especially when struck with an injury or two. This could be one of the fiercer battles for starting jobs we see of all the positions on the roster. Should be fun to watch!
