Six SEC linebacker duos to watch in 2014

[bodi]

http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2014/sec-linebacker-duos-2014/

1. Ramik Wilson and Leonard Floyd, Georgia
2013 combined stats: 188 tackles, 20.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 29 QB hurries

2. AJ Johnson and Curt Maggitt, Tennessee
2013 combined stats: 106 tackles

3. Benardrick McKinney and Matthew Wells, Mississippi State
2013 combined stats: 121 tackles, 13 TFL, 4.5 sacks

4. Serderius Bryant and Denzel Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
2013 combined stats: 113 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 3 sacks

5. Skai Moore and Kaiwan Lewis, South Carolina
2013 combined stats: 110 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 6 INTs

6. Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost, Auburn
2013 combined stats: 118 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 FF

 

[RS12]

McKinney is an intriguing guy.

Benardrick McKinney | Linebacker
Team: Mississippi State Bulldogs
Ht / Wt: 6'5' / 245

LATEST NEWS
RECENT NEWS
CBS Sports' Rob Rang believes Mississippi State redshirt junior Benardrick McKinney's "value lies with his versatility and raw athleticism."
"McKinney's value lies with his versatility and raw athleticism. He lines up all over the field for the Bulldogs, taking snaps at middle linebacker, as well as rushing off either edge," Rang wrote. The 6-foot-5, 245 pound McKinney runs a 4.5 second forty, and has a 34 inch vertical. The "well-built and fluid athlete" has ideal size and shows "good lateral agility and very impressive acceleration" tracking down ball-carriers from behind, Rang notes. The Bulldogs prospect lead the team with 71 tackles, with seven tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, and recovered two fumbles last season.Aug 20 - 4:12 PM
Source: CBS Sports

 

[texbumthelife]

McKinney is an intriguing guy.

Benardrick McKinney | Linebacker
Team: Mississippi State Bulldogs
Ht / Wt: 6'5' / 245

LATEST NEWS
RECENT NEWS
CBS Sports' Rob Rang believes Mississippi State redshirt junior Benardrick McKinney's "value lies with his versatility and raw athleticism."
"McKinney's value lies with his versatility and raw athleticism. He lines up all over the field for the Bulldogs, taking snaps at middle linebacker, as well as rushing off either edge," Rang wrote. The 6-foot-5, 245 pound McKinney runs a 4.5 second forty, and has a 34 inch vertical. The "well-built and fluid athlete" has ideal size and shows "good lateral agility and very impressive acceleration" tracking down ball-carriers from behind, Rang notes. The Bulldogs prospect lead the team with 71 tackles, with seven tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, and recovered two fumbles last season.Aug 20 - 4:12 PM
Source: CBS Sports

Sounds like an ideal Will in this defense. The problem is, this defense may not be here any longer next season...

 

[KingintheNorth]

Sounds like an ideal Will in this defense.

He'd be a huge WILL at 6'5", 246 lbs. Seems more suited for SAM and then rush end on passing downs (in our current scheme).

 

[texbumthelife]

He'd be a huge WILL at 6'5", 246 lbs. Seems more suited for SAM and then rush end on passing downs (in our current scheme).

He's tall, definitely, but I wouldn't want to waste that ability chasing TE's. I'd rather have him at Will, let him chase and blitz.

 

[jobberone]

McKinney is an intriguing guy.

Benardrick McKinney | Linebacker
Team: Mississippi State Bulldogs
Ht / Wt: 6'5' / 245

LATEST NEWS
RECENT NEWS
CBS Sports' Rob Rang believes Mississippi State redshirt junior Benardrick McKinney's "value lies with his versatility and raw athleticism."
"McKinney's value lies with his versatility and raw athleticism. He lines up all over the field for the Bulldogs, taking snaps at middle linebacker, as well as rushing off either edge," Rang wrote. The 6-foot-5, 245 pound McKinney runs a 4.5 second forty, and has a 34 inch vertical. The "well-built and fluid athlete" has ideal size and shows "good lateral agility and very impressive acceleration" tracking down ball-carriers from behind, Rang notes. The Bulldogs prospect lead the team with 71 tackles, with seven tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, and recovered two fumbles last season.Aug 20 - 4:12 PM
Source: CBS Sports

Let's get two of these.

 

[bodi]

ILB A.J. Johnson, Senior (6-2 | 242 | 4.79 | #45) UT

With an SEC-leading 324 career tackles, Johnson has served as one of the few bright spots for the Volunteers over the past three years. He earned the First Team All-SEC nod from conference coaches last season -- his second consecutive topping 100 tackles and considered leaving Rocky Top early for the NFL before he was reportedly given a mid-round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee.

Unlike most inside linebackers who possess a compact, muscled-up frame, Johnson is a bit lanky. Like his athletic build suggests, Johnson is quick and he can slither past would-be blockers to make tackles in the hole. He is reliant on beating blockers to the action, however, because he struggles to disengage once they latch on, showing only average power and technique for the position. Worse, Johnson often drops his head on contact, losing sight of the ball.

With greater upper body strength in 2014, Johnson could boost his stock. He has just enough speed to meet backs at the edge and is fluid enough to handle coverage responsibilities. Perhaps Johnson's greatest skill is his heavy-hitting as a tackler. He has a nice closing burst to gather momentum and consistently delivers the emphatic pop that has no doubt helped him build his all-conference reputation

 

[bodi]

http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/a...davis-tull-first-few-believed-now-fewer-doubt

Chattanooga's Davis Tull: At first few believed, now fewer doubt

6-foot-3, 240-pound senior is the first UTC player to earn Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors twice. He's the Mocs career leader with 26.5 sacks and was recently named to the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the nation's top FCS defensive player.

He is also the first Academic All-American in UTC football history