Pac-10 Position Breakdown: Linebacker – Arizona Wildcats
Ask anyone involved with the Arizona football program about the linebackers for 2009 and you will hear the same word: speed. Head coach Mike Stoops has assembled one of the fastest defenses in the conference (if not the country) at all three levels, and the philosophy in Tucson will be predicated on swarming to the football. That’s right Tucsonans, the “Desert Swarm” defense that defined the ‘Cats in the mid-90’s looks like it may be back.
While the Wildcats LB’s are fast, the group is one of the smallest in the Pac-10 with most of the major contributors measuring below six-feet tall. In order for all of that speed to work, the unit will have to gang-tackle and rally (or swarm) to the ball carrier as a group. Depth is also a concern at the position, so it is crucial that the starters stay healthy.
The Wildcats must replace middle linebacker Ronnie Palmer (graduation), who was their defensive MVP from last season with 85 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. While it won’t be easy, Palmer’s successor at MLB has displayed exciting ability in the off-season and could emerge as a breakout player in 2009.
Senior Vuna Tuihalamaka seems poised and ready to take control of the middle linebacker spot this season. He is the eldest of three Tuihalamaka’s on the Arizona defense, and he will be counted on to solidify the inside position at LB.
Vuna Tuihalamaka wraps up the ball carrier
Last season, he saw action in all 13 games, making 23 tackles and contributing mostly on special teams. The former junior college transfer (El Camino CC, CA) may not have the same level of experience that most senior starters accumulate by this point, but he has tremendous instincts and an excellent overall skill set.
At 6-2 230 pounds, Tuihalamaka is the biggest linebacker on the roster and his physicality will be much needed throughout the season given the overall lack of size within the unit. He is an unrelenting defender who pursues the football with determined aggression. Mike Stoops and his brother Mark (defensive coordinator) praised Tuihalamaka throughout the spring, and he may have had the best off-season of any LB.
In the spring game, Vuna gave Wildcats fans a preview of what they can expect this season, recording a game-high 12 tackles and flying all over the field. Both Rivals.com and Scout.com rated the Inglewood (CA) native as a 4-star junior college recruit, and he enters fall camp as the clear starter at inside linebacker.
Occupying the weakside will be ultra-fast senior Xavier Kelly. Last season, Kelly started in eight games and finished sixth on the team with 51 tackles, while also totaling 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. He capped off a productive junior year with a spectacular performance in the Las Vegas Bowl against BYU, making a career-high 15 tackles in the 31-21 win.
At 5-11 215 pounds, Kelly is one of the Pac-10’s smallest starting linebackers, looking more like a defensive back physically. However, he hits with prototypical power by using his great speed (sub-4.5) to fully extend into the offensive player, and he always seems to be moving downhill.
Kelly has proven to be a well-rounded defender, excelling in blitz packages and in the run defense. The Denton (TX) native played well in the spring, and has a firm grasp on the weakside linebacker spot heading into the fall.
The other outside LB spot belongs to senior Sterling Lewis, who will be manning the strongside for the Wildcats. Like Kelly, Lewis is exceptionally fast (4.48) and he has a motor that never stops. Last season was his first with UA after transferring from Blinn College (TX), and he made a great debut with 59 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble while starting in five games.
Unfortunately, he ended his 2008 campaign in disappointing fashion after being arrested on an extreme DUI charge and was suspended for the bowl game by Coach Stoops. After a successful spring both on and off the field, Lewis will once again play an important role on the defense in 2009.
At 5-11 225 pounds, Lewis is slightly undersized but he plays with great explosion. He has fluid hips, and tremendous lateral speed that will make him a force in coverage or as a pass-rusher. The Denton (TX) native looks poised to make his senior year a special one as the starting strongside linebacker.
Sterling Lewis reacts to the play at practice
Two of the major back-ups at linebacker could also spend time at defensive back during the season, which should come as no surprise given the heavy emphasis placed on speed by the Arizona coaching staff.
Senior Corey Hall is one of the hybrid LB/DB athletes that could be called on as an outside linebacker this fall. He has spent the majority of his career in the secondary as a nickel back, and has made a total of 75 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
The DeSoto (TX) native will get a look at strongside linebacker, and could wind up as the number one backup to Lewis. Although his 5-10 201 pound frame will not intimidate the opposition, he is a big hitter who enjoys playing physical.
Sophomore Orlando Vargas will be a main reserve at weakside linebacker. Like Hall, Vargas has spent time at defensive back and will now try to make a successful transition to OLB. The Winslow (AZ) native played mostly on special teams last season, and was the Scout Team Player of the Year on defense for 2008. At 5-11 220 pounds, Vargas is a great overall athlete, and in time, he should develop into a solid weakside linebacker.
One of the program’s most heralded recruits from the 2009 class is true freshman Trevo Erno. At 6-1 230 pounds, he will be a welcome addition to the ‘Cats defense, giving the unit an infusion of size at LB. Erno possesses an ideal skill set for inside linebacker, with tremendous strength and a nose for the football.
The Lakewood (CA) native was a PrepStar All-American, and Rivals.com gave him 4-star recognition. He will have a great chance to play right away given the lack of depth behind Tuihalamaka.
Other players competing for time are: freshmen Jake Fischer, Cordarius Golston, C.J. Parrish, and R.J. Young.
My Take
The Arizona linebacking corps will fully test the veracity of the saying “Speed Kills” in 2009; my only concern is the lack of size and depth at the position. The program recruited four linebackers last season, including Erno, and I believe two or three will play at some point this season.
Having said that, the starting three linebackers are an explosive group of playmakers that will be fun to watch all year long if they can stay healthy. I love the breakout potential of Tuihalamaka, who has what it takes to immediately offset the loss of Palmer. Kelly and Lewis are 4.4 runners that will be downright scary on the blitz, and I expect Mark Stoops to unleash them quite a bit.
If depth surfaces at linebacker during fall camp, this speedy group of ‘Cats should have a successful 2009 campaign.
Arizona Wildcats
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Corey Hall, Football, Linebacker, Orlando Vargas, Sterling Lewis, Trevo Erno, Vuna Tuihalamaka, Xavier Kelly
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