The superstar trio of Rey Maualuga (38th overall pick of NFL Draft, Bengals), Brian Cushing (15th overall pick of NFL Draft, Texans), and Kaluka Maiava (4th round pick, Browns) will now carry on the rich tradition of SC linebackers in the NFL. If you remove technicalities, the Trojans actually lost four superstars at the position, as DE/LB super-hybrid Clay Matthews will now become a full-time LB in the NFL (26th overall pick, Packers).

For most programs, losing that kind of talent would be devastating. For the Trojans, it’s business as usual. No program in America can reload faster, and this year should be no different. While it won’t be easy to replace legends, head coach Pete Carroll and LB coach Ken Norton Jr. have assembled a promising collection of blue-chippers who are ready to start a new era of their own.

The new man in the middle will be heralded sophomore Chris Galippo. Galippo has the daunting task of replacing Maualuga at inside linebacker, but those close to the program have high expectations for him. Last season, he played in 10 games as a reserve, totaling 12 tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception.

Chris Galippo earns MVP trophy in Army All-American Game

At 6-2 238 pounds, Galippo is an exceptionally gifted player even by SC standards. He possesses outstanding strength and athletic ability, as well as rare vision. He’s also relentless in his pursuit of the football, and plays with tremendous physical aggression.

Those characteristics helped make him one of the highest-ranked prospects in the 2007 recruiting class. Rivals.com and Scout.com gave him 5-star recognition and rated him as the #1 linebacker in the ’07 class. He competed in the prestigious Army-All-American Game, where he won Defensive MVP Honors for his efforts against some of the best prep players in the country.

The Servite High School (CA) product arrived at SC in 2007 with high aspirations, but after playing in the first three games Galippo suffered a herniated disk that required season-ending back surgery. He received a medical redshirt as a result, but after the pain re-surfaced prior to the 2008 season he had another operation on his back. Most recently, the unlucky Galippo was diagnosed with mononucleosis just before spring practice (2009) began.

Now, he is injury-free and more motivated than ever. Galippo has started fall camp like a man on a mission, slimming down from 255 pounds to 238, which has enabled him to be faster and more agile. He is the clear number one MLB on the depth chart, a potential team leader, and the new defensive-signal caller for the defense. If health permits, Galippo could become the next household name at the position for USC.

Lining up next to Galippo on the weakside will be junior Malcolm Smith. Last season, Smith served as a backup to Maiava, and he appeared in all 13 games totaling 18 tackles while also spending time on special teams. His bloodlines suggest that he will do quite well with the Trojans, as his brother is former All-American wideout Steve Smith.

Pete Carroll believes Smith’s ability is reminiscent of Lofa Tatupu (another All-American), but insists that Smith is even more athletic. He may be the best overall athlete on the defense other than safety Taylor Mays, and he has been timed in the mid 4.3 range during team workouts.

At 6-2 225 pounds, Smith could become a nightmare for opposing offenses, possessing an unusual combination of strength and speed that is perfect for blitz schemes. He is also versatile enough to play the pass in coverage, as he can move like a defensive back. The Northridge (CA) native was given 4-star recognition by Rivals.com and Scout.com while he was a prep star at Taft High School (CA).

Smith’s dynamic playmaking ability could make him the breakout player of the SC defense in 2009.

Malcolm Smth ready to break out in 2009

The new starter on the strongside will be junior Michael Morgan. Morgan has been a reliable reserve for the last two seasons, and finished 2008 with 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble.

At 6-4 220 pounds, he has prototypical size, strength, and speed for a strongside linebacker (4.4). Morgan has the ability to cover big receivers, while also possessing good run-stopping skills. The former Parade-All-American from Dallas (TX) was given 4-stars by Rivals.com after a stellar prep career at Skyline High School (TX).

Morgan will now attempt to offset the loss of Brian Cushing on the strongside, and is a clear number one for the spot on the current depth chart.

The reserves took a huge hit when promising freshman Frankie Telfort (competing for weakside spot) was ruled out this year because of a rare heart condition. The university has stated that it will still honor his scholarship.

The biggest question mark in the unit was whether senior Luther Brown would qualify this season. At Pac-10 Media Day, Pete Carroll essentially ruled him out, but after recently getting the necessary work done, Brown looks like he may be available this season (although nothing is certain yet).

The 6-2 235 pound Brown has been through a lot in his career, and did not play at all in 2008 because of a nagging back injury. He may now have one more chance to live up to the extremely high expectations that were set for him when he arrived at SC in 2005. The Lakewood (CA) native looked very good in the spring and could end up as the main backup to Morgan if the NCAA clears him.

One of the key backups for Galippo at MLB will be sophomore Uona Kaveinga. Last season, he saw limited action in eight games and finished with three tackles (one for loss).

At 6-0 245 pounds, some Trojan insiders believe Kaveinga is the closest thing on the roster to Maualuga, possessing a similar dose of imposing physicality. He may be the best pure hitter on the team, and he always seems to move downhill.

Kaveinga is also deceptively quick for a player of his size, and his skill set seems perfect for blitz packages. Rivals and Scout.com gave him 4-star recognition, and he was named a PrepStar All-American. The Hawthorne (CA) native must improve in pass coverage and become more of a sure-tackler, but he has a bright future at SC.

Two more potential key reserves for 2009 are sophomore Jordan Campbell, and true freshman Jarvis Jones.

Jordan Campbell having fun at the Rose Bowl

The 5-11 230 pound Campbell played in 12 games as a reserve and special teams player, finishing with seven tackles. The former fullback from Corona (CA) has a great chance to see time behind Malcolm Smith on the weakside. He is compactly built and accelerates to the ball with great straight-line speed. Campbell is very physical at the point of attack, and should be a nice compliment to the speedier Smith. He received 4-star recognition from both Rivals and Scout.com, and was also a PrepStar All-American.

The 6-3 225 pound Jones is starting his first year with the Trojans, and he will be competing for time in the middle, behind Galippo. Jones has tremendous size and plays with an explosive skill set. He has as much upside as any LB on the roster, and could become a force for the Trojans over the next few years. Rivals and Scout.com rated him as a 4-star prospect, and he is yet another PrepStar All-American. The Columbus (GA) native will need to gain a deeper understanding of the defensive system, but he has exciting ability.

Other players competing for time are: freshmen Marquis Simmons and Kevin Greene, sophomore Shane Horton (may play at safety too), and senior Nick Garratt.

My Take

A pessimist would make the following case for why SC fans should be worried about the linebackers in 2009: Galippo is injury-prone, Luther Brown still may not qualify, the loss of Telfort was not only unfortunate but also hurts the depth on the weakside, and everyone is generally inexperienced due to the rock stars that have dominated playing time in the corps over the last few years.

There are two reasons why I’m not worried about this group in 2009: Pete Carroll and Ken Norton Jr. You will not find two better teachers in the game, and they know how to get the most out of a player.

I expect Galippo to become a real leader this season, while also playing at a high level in the middle (of course, he does need to stay healthy). But to me the real star is Malcolm Smith. Taylor Mays says he will be the next great SC linebacker, and I agree.

On pure speed alone he would be good, but it’s his development in all facets of the position that is exciting. Morgan should be steady on the strongside, and I can’t help but picture him going one on one with a guy like Rob Gronkowski (although Gronk probably wins that battle as of now, it would sure be fun to watch).

If Brown does qualify, and the younger players emerge, depth will not be a concern like some have suggested.

Overall, don’t expect much of a dropoff at the second level for USC, as this linebacking corps should more than hold it’s own in 2009.

Part of the blame for the strange stat line can be placed on the explosive Oregon offense, which overwhelmed opponents early and often. Because of that, many opposing offenses had to throw the ball more frequently than normal just to stay in the game. The quick-burst scoring also led to a low time of possession, which meant the defense was spending most of the game on the field.

Although the Ducks are quite comfortable playing any team in a shootout, the D will need to tighten up a bit for Oregon to reach it’s true potential as a championship level football team.

Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti has a very talented group returning in 2009, with all-conference caliber playmakers at all three levels. The most exciting unit may be at the second level, where an extremely athletic group of linebackers should wreak havoc all season long. Many believe this could be the program’s best group of LBs in years, led by two outstanding juniors.

Spencer Paysinger tries to strip the ball while making the tackle

Junior Spencer Paysinger exploded onto the Pac-10 scene during a breakout sophomore campaign in 2008. He finished the season with 95 tackles (2nd on team), 12 tackles for loss (4th on team), two sacks, two interceptions (one for a TD in the Civil War), and six pass breakups. Rivals.com named Paysinger second-team All-Pac 10 in 2008, and he will enter this season on a variety of pre-season All-Conference teams.

At 6-3 216 pounds, Paysinger combines a rangy frame with excellent speed and athleticism. He is the quintessential playmaking linebacker, possessing an innate sense of where to be on any given play. He’s great against the run, but can also drop into coverage as naturally as a defensive back, showing great fluidity in his motion.

Paysinger’s defensive skill set is especially remarkable considering he was known as a standout receiver in high school. Although the Beverly Hills High School (CA) product was not heavily recruited (2-stars from Rivals and Scout), he showcased his promising ability during his redshirt season in 2006 by garnering scout team player of the week honors six separate times throughout the season on defense and special teams.

Despite his relatively light playing weight (216), he is one of the strongest players on the defense (Oregon Iron Club Member, combined 1,135 pounds on clean, squat, and bench lifts according to team reports).

The Los Angeles (CA) native should continue to be a force on the weakside, and will also serve as a leader on defense in 2009.

Next to Paysinger in the middle will be junior Casey Matthews. Last year, Matthews broke fall camp behind John Bacon, the senior incumbent and mainstay for two years at MLB. But by the seventh game of the season it became evident that the younger Matthews was playing at a much higher level and from that point on the job belonged to him. He finished an exceptional sophomore campaign with 67 tackles (6th on team), 13 tackles for loss (3rd on team), and two sacks.

Matthews certainly has the pedigree to achieve even more for the Ducks in 2009, as he comes from a long line of successful football players that dates back to his grandfather Clay Sr. (played at Georgia Tech) and includes his father Clay Jr. (USC, 4-time Pro-Bowler in NFL), his uncle Bruce (USC, 14-time Pro-Bowler in NFL) and his brother Clay (USC, 1st Round Pick in NFL Draft).

At 6-2 235 pounds, Matthews combines extremely sound fundamentals with a tenacious motor that never stops running. He is a run-stopping specialist who always seems to take the quickest path to the ball carrier. Matthews routinely shoots the gap, and can blow up an offensive play all by himself. More than anything, he is an instinctive player who understands how to read a play and react quickly.

The Agoura Hills (CA) native will join Paysinger in forming one of the Pac-10’s best one-two punches at linebacker.

Casey Matthews reacts to the play

The new starter on the strongside will be sophomore Eddie Pleasant. Pleasant is replacing two-time all-conference performer Jerome Boyd at OLB. Last season, Pleasant played sparingly and finished with 16 tackles while also contributing on special teams.

At 5-11 223 pounds, he plays with ruthless abandon and loves contact, as he has garnered a reputation for being a huge hitter in the open field.

Pleasant is one of the strongest linebackers in the unit, joining Paysinger as a member of the Oregon Iron Club, and he is also the fastest LB on the roster, running in the mid 4.4 range during off-season drills. Coaches have already hinted that Pleasant will be featured in blitzes this season, but he is also quite capable in coverage schemes.

Pleasant’s versatility should be on display throughout 2009, and the La Palma (CA) native has a great opportunity to be the final piece of this exciting linebacking corps.

Eugene is buzzing about a new Duck this season. Junior Bryson Littlejohn arrived in time for spring drills after transferring from Sierra Community College (CA). Last year, Littlejohn was a JUCO All-American and he brings a dynamic skill set to Oregon.

At 6-1 227 pounds, Littlejohn is a tremendous athlete with the tools to play at all three linebacker spots. He started spring on the weakside, but has been moved to the middle behind Matthews. While Matthews job is quite secure, Littlejohn has enough upside to warrant frequent playing time somewhere on the field.

He has tremendous speed for his size (4.5), and is especially valuable in coverage situations. Littlejohn was given 4-star recognition from Rivals.com and Scout.com. The Elk Grove (CA) native is already a junior, and should be ready to contribute immediately.

Sophomore Dewitt Stuckey will also be a top reserve for the Ducks in 2009. Stuckey was on his way to a redshirt season in 2008, but depth issues forced him into action. He played in six games appearing on special teams. At 5-11 222 pounds, Stuckey makes up for his lack of size with elite athleticism and an aggressive style. Scout.com gave him 4-star recognition, and the Stockton (CA) native is currently listed behind Paysinger on the weakside.

The lone senior LB heading into the season is Riley Showalter. The former walk-on could provide great value to the unit this season because of his ability to play all three positions. He appeared in all 13 games last season, totaling eight tackles. Showalter should excel on special teams at least, but will also be a key reserve in case injuries mount. At 6-3 225 pounds, the Portland (OR) native has good size and understands the defense well.

Two heralded true freshmen will also join the Ducks this season: Michael Clay and Bo Lokombo.

The 5-11 220 pound Clay brings an exciting skill set to Eugene. He is a punishing hitter with solid speed and agility, and he has a nose for the football. Scout.com gave him 4-star recognition and Rivals.com rated him the #3 OLB in the 2009 class. The San Jose (CA) native could redshirt, but whenever he does play, the Ducks will have an exciting new linebacker.

The 6-3 226 pound Lokombo is a raw prospect with a ton of upside. He has great size and speed, and changes direction quickly for someone his size. Like Clay, Scout.com gave Lokombo 4-stars. The Canadian native from Abbotsford B.C. may redshirt as well.

Other players competing for time are: sophomores Josh Kaddu, Brandon Hanna, and freshmen Kiko Alonso.

My Take

With all due respect to recent linebackers like John Bacon, Jerome Boyd and A.J. Tuitele (from a couple years back), this new LB unit looks like it could be SPECIAL. There are terrific athletes all over the place, and the explosiveness has got to have Ducks fans excited.

The star power will be provided by Paysinger and Matthews, who are both primed for all-conference seasons. I am especially looking forward to seeing Matthews for a full season, as he has all the tools to light up the stat sheet in 2009. I also get the feeling that Nick Aliotti and LB coach Don Pellum are excited about Pleasant’s potential on the strongside, particularly because of his blitzing ability.

The reserves have tremendous upside, and there are a ton of them. I am especially high on Littlejohn, who is too good not to play and the coaches will have to figure out a place for him.

Overall, expect the gifted linebackers to be the heart of the Ducks defense this season.

Defensive Coordinator Bob Gregory successfully installed his 3-4 scheme last season, as the Bears managed to hold offensive juggernaut Oregon to just 16 points (and USC to 17 albeit in a loss).

But while the defensive line and secondary are loaded with all-conference performers this season, the linebacking corps must replace three starters that were pivotal to this program’s success over the last four years.

The insanely productive trio of Zack Follett, Worrell Williams, and Anthony Felder will be a hard act to follow, but that doesn’t mean the linebacking cupboard is empty in Berkeley. Gregory may not have as much dynamite to work with this season, but the new group is more than capable of holding it’s own in 2009.

The only remaining starter from last year’s explosive LB unit will lead the unit this season.

Mike Mohamed makes one of many tackles

Junior Mike Mohamed will now serve as the anchor of the linebackers in Cal’s 3-4 defense. Mohamed put together a very impressive sophomore campaign, totaling 87 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions (one for TD), and two fumble recoveries on his way to All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention last season.

He proved to be one of the most valuable defenders on the entire Bears roster, playing all four LB spots and excelling on special teams. His versatility was especially impressive considering Mohammed was required to master the assignments for four different LB positions in a brand new defensive system.

At 6-3 237 pounds, Mohamed is a highly intelligent player who can read an offense as well as anyone. He possesses a solid combination of size and speed, but his instincts make him a special playmaker. The Brawley (CA) native was not highly recruited coming out of high school (2-stars from Rivals.com), but he has truly come into his own at Cal. Mohamed seems poised for his best season yet, and will be stationed at one of the two inside linebacker spots.

Lining up next to Mohamed in the middle will be sophomore Mychal Kendricks. There is a growing contingent of Bear fans that believe Kendricks is the best talent in the LB unit. In fact, former teammate Worrell Williams believes he has the ability to be the best linebacker ever to play at Cal. The high-praise may be pre-mature considering he only made 15 tackles as a freshman, but a closer look at his play from last season reveals explosive potential.

At 6-0 230 pounds, Kendricks is a phenomenal athlete with elite lateral speed. He could become a powerful blitzing force, but also has the ability to turn the other way and run with receivers. While his skill set may seem perfect for outside LB, coach Gregory is hopeful that Kendricks can be a force on the inside. He has added enough strength and bulk over the last two years to excel on the interior, and has been tremendous there during the off-season.

While Kendricks is still unproven, he is a player that opposing offenses will have to account for, as he has the ability to cause turmoil in the backfield. The Fresno (CA) native has a great opportunity to be the breakout player on the Bears defense this season, and his production in 2009 will be a key for the linebacking corps.

Mychal Kendricks closes in on the ball carrier

Senior Devin Bishop will man one of the two outside spots this season. Last year, Bishop totaled just 13 tackles in 12 games mostly because of all the talent in front of him at OLB. Nonetheless, a lot is expected from the San Francisco Community College transfer of 2007, and he has one final year to prove his value. Bishop will have big shoes to fill, as he is the likely replacement for Zach Follett on the outside (87 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, five forced fumbles in 2008).

At 6-1 239 pounds, Bishop does not possess the same dynamic skill-set that Follett had, but he has adopted a similar role as a vocal leader during the off-season (Follett was well known for that quality).

The San Francisco (CA) native certainly has the bloodline to succeed, as his older brother is former Cal standout LB Desmond Bishop. Devin has been solid during the early part of fall camp, and appears ready to live up to the high expectations that were set for him when he joined the Bears.

Senior Eddie Young is atop the depth chart at the other outside spot. Last season, Young started eight games and made 40 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one interception. He is not an off-the-chart athlete, but his high motor and understanding of the system makes him a valuable asset.

At 6-0 239 pounds, Young is a solidly built linebacker with good fundamentals, and he plays a very physical style. He has formed a strong bond with Bishop, which should help the cohesiveness of the LB unit that much more. The hometown product from Berkeley (CA) should be a reliable veteran presence for the Bears in 2009.

Two reserves that will challenge for playing time all season long are sophomore D.J. Holt, and junior Charles Johnson.

The 6-1 250 pound Holt has some of the most exciting potential in the unit along with Kendricks. He played sparingly in 12 games during 2008, making 14 tackles total. Holt is extremely physical at the point of attack and he will give the Bears an imposing defensive presence, particularly in short yardage situations.

His edge-rushing ability should allow him to see time even if he doesn’t win the starting job from Kendricks on the inside. The Encino (CA) native was given 4-star recognition by Scout.com, and was also a SuperPrep All-American in high school.

The 6-1 232 pound Johnson saw limited time in all 13 games last season, making seven tackles total. Johnson is an elite athlete with the physical tools to excel as a rusher, run-stopper, and in coverage. He will be pushing Bishop on the outside, and should be the primary backup if he continues to progress. The Lake Forest (CA) native has looked solid in the early part of fall so far.

Expect three other very promising junior college players to contribute often as well: juniors Jarred Price, Ryan Davis and Jerome Meadows. All three have been extremely impressive in the early part of fall camp, and should help fill out the rotation.

Other players competing for time are: sophomores Robert Mullins, Solomona Aigamaua, and freshmen Chris Little (also impressing in fall camp), J.P Hurrell, Nick Rosato, Stephen Fanua, and Dan Camporeale.

My Take

This is an important season for Bob Gregory and this new group of linebackers. Skeptics have suggested that the “Big Three” of Follett, Williams, and Felder were largely responsible for the success of the 3-4 scheme last season, and that without them the defense becomes a question mark. While there is no doubt that the graduated seniors will be missed, I am confident that this unit will surprise people with solid play this year.

It all starts with Mohamed, who quietly put together one heck of a 2008 campaign. I expect him to be even better in 2009, and all-conference honors seem very realistic. Considering all the moving around Mohamed did last year, imagine how good he can become if the coaches keep him in one spot for the entire season.

Count me in as another Mychal Kendricks fan. Like many others, I think he has a great opportunity to become the breakout player on Cal’s D this season because of his dynamic skill set.

If Bishop and Young can stabilize the outside spots, and the J.C. players emerge to provide depth, then this group of LB’s should be just fine.

Expect the defensive line and secondary to make the headlines for the Cal Bears defense, but look for the linebackers to be rock-solid as well.

Other than USC, is there a program in the Pac-10 that can reload faster than the Beavers? The statistics suggest that the answer is no considering Oregon State has won it’s last five bowl games (longest streak in Pac-10) to go along with three straight top 25 finishes (2nd in Pac-10).

While the Beaver defense must break in an entirely new secondary and three new starters along the defensive line, the linebacking corps is in good shape. Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Mark Banker and LB coach Greg Newhouse, the linebackers at Oregon State have been outstanding for many years and this unit will be no exception.

In fact, this may be one of the stronger groups that Newhouse has had in a while, led by a spectacular senior who is one of the best defensive players in the Pac-10 conference.

Keaton Kristick deals out a brutal hit

Senior Keaton Kristick returns for his final year in Corvallis after a breakout junior season. He finished 2008 second on the team with 82 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and four pass breakups on his way to being named second-team All-Pac 10.

Kristick played sparingly during his first two seasons with the Beavers, recording a total of 32 tackles as an underclassman. As he waited patiently for his chance to become a starter, Kristick mastered coach Banker’s defensive scheme while also learning from accomplished Pac-10 performers like Alan Darlin, Derrick Doggett, and Joey LaRocque.

After taking full advantage of his first season as a starter, Kristick will now be counted on to lead the team in tackles and in the locker room. He will once again man the strongside linebacker spot.

At 6-3 230 pounds, Kristick possesses extraordinary sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability. He blends great athleticism with rare instincts, and that combination allows him to wreak havoc in the opposition’s backfield.

Krisitick also uses his lateral speed and agility in pass coverage, making him a balanced outside linebacker. The Fountain Hills (AZ) native has next-level ability, and he enters the 2009 season as one of America’s best linebackers.

The new middle linebacker this season will be sophomore David Pa’aluhi III. Pa’aluhi demonstrated promising ability at MLB in limited action last season, finishing with a total of 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble while also excelling on special teams.

Pa’aluhi’s progress at inside linebacker is even more remarkable considering he has only been playing football since his senior year of high school. His considerable upside has Oregon State coaches very excited about the future of the middle linebacker position at OSU.

At 5-11 233 pounds, Pa’aluhi is a terrific athlete with outstanding speed for a MLB (4.48). He can be a dominating physical presence as well, and has already garnered a reputation as a destructive hitter. Pa’aluhi’s intense power and toughness may have originated during his early years as an amateur kickboxer. The Waianae (HI) native has an extensive background in mixed martial arts, and trained often at the Hakuilua MMA training center that his father owned.

Pa’aluhi enjoyed a stellar spring that allowed him to rise to the top of the depth chart, and the MLB job is now his to lose.

Returning to the Beavers at weakside linebacker are juniors Keith Pankey and Dwight Roberson.

As a sophomore, Pankey started all 13 games and finished with 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. While he was not ultra-productive last season, Pankey’s experience will be a vital asset to a young Beavers defense. He is also an intelligent player who has a much better understanding of the defense than he did during 2008.

Keith Pankey raps up LaGarette Blount for the tackle

At 6-0 222 pounds, Pankey is a tremendous athlete with a great motor. He can really fly at OLB, and should be an asset on the blitz. The Visalia (CA) native was very good during the spring, and will now look to secure the starting weaskide spot again in 2009.

Pushing Pankey hard for playing time is junior Dwight Roberson. Last season, Roberson actually outperformed the incumbent by finishing with 61 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and three forced fumbles. Essentially Roberson acted as a second starter at the weakside position, and he played about as much as Pankey throughout 2008 despite never officially starting.

At 6-0 231 pounds, Roberson brings a slightly more physical style than Pankey, and just as much athleticism. In fact, he was so good last season that the OSU coaches thought about moving Kristick to MLB in order to free up an outside spot for Roberson.

Obviously the rise of Pa’aluhi has changed that plan, but Roberson will still be an important part of the defense. He may not win the starting job this fall, but the Oxnard (CA) native is primed for a big year in 2009.

The main reserve at middle linebacker was expected to be redshirt freshman Tony Wilson, but a serious knee injury has forced him out of fall camp and at least the beginning of the season. While he may still factor in for the Beavers at some point this year, coach Banker has ruled him out for the near future and will therefore move on with others.

Next in line at MLB is junior Walker Vave. Vave played in three games during 2008, and has totaled only two tackles in his career. He originally signed with OSU in 2004, but decided to go on an LDS mission in South America. Now, he will be counted on to step up in a hurry given the lack of depth behind Pa’aluhi.

By the time fall camp is finished, Vave should have far more reps under his belt than in the previous two seasons, but the learning curve will still be steep as he transitions into his new role as a key reserve. At 6-2 240 pounds, the Laie (HI) native has good size for a middle linebacker and could develop into a reliable backup.

Other players competing for time are: junior Keo Camat, sophomore Paul Jones, and freshmen Kameron Krebs, Reggie Williams, Devin Unga, Reuben Robinson, and Zane Norris.

My Take

Greg Newhouse’s linebackers have been excellent over the past few years. In fact, his success at developing quality LB’s is a microcosm of Mike Riley’s coaching philosophy at OSU.

Riley is worth every cent of his rather modest OSU salary, as he has made this program into a model of consistency. While it would be easy to write 2009 off as a rebuilding year for the defense, I refuse to underestimate the Beavers.

The strength of the defense should be at the second level. Every Pac-10 fan that doesn’t know the name Keaton Kristick will learn it soon enough. Not much else needs to be said about him other than the fact that his name belongs with Reggie Carter in any discussion of best LB in the conference.

I am also intrigued by Pa’aluhi, who seems to have an unusual amount of potential. He could very well be this year’s breakout defensive player. The weakside is very stable, with two experienced and reliable performers (Pankey and Roberson) back again.

Overall, expect the stellar productivity at linebacker to continue for Oregon State.

Numbers like those make it hard to believe that WSU was the last team to represent the Pac-10 in the Rose Bowl before USC’s streak. Essentially, a perfect storm of poor play, untimely injuries, and a complete loss of confidence hit the program hard last season; but at least they beat the Huskies.

Now, head coach Paul Wulff and co-defensive coordinators Chris Ball and Jody Sears must find a way to get better results out of a defense that will be replacing six starters.

If a silver lining is to be found, the linebacking corps may be the right place to look. LB Coach Travis Niekamp has a few promising players to work with, including an exciting sophomore who has a bright future on the Palouse.

Louis Bland wraps up Toby Gerhart

Sophomore Louis Bland returns to WSU this season after a very encouraging campaign in 2008. Bland played in all 12 games as a true freshman, and started nine. He finished the year with 55 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception on his way to being named to Phil Steele’s Freshman All-American third team.

The most exciting aspect of Bland’s season was how he seemed to get better with each game. In the Apple Cup against Washington, Bland proved he could handle the big stage even as a freshman.

He made a big stop behind the line of scrimmage in the first overtime that ended a UW drive. Then, he made an even bigger tackle for a two-yard loss in the second overtime that forced the Huskies to kick a field goal (which they missed). The victory over Washington was Bland’s best game of the season, and he collected seven tackles (three for loss) in all.

At 5-10 202 pounds, Bland gets the absolute most out of his defensive back frame. He relies on tremendous speed and quickness, while also possessing natural instincts for the position.

The Modesto (CA) native is a perfect fit for the weakside, and should continue to flourish at the position for years to come. This off-season, he has been dealing with a nagging knee injury that could limit him in fall practice and even force him out of action in the season opener. Nonetheless, he is expected to be at full speed for the majority of the 2009 season.

Joining Bland as an impact playmaker will be senior Andy Mattingly.  This off-season, the Washington State coaching staff decided to permanently move Mattingly back to linebacker, after he split time at OLB and defensive end in 2008.

Last season, he underachieved with only 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack. Big things were expected from the gifted Mattingly in 2008, especially considering his 2007 production (91 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, eight sacks as an OLB). After a year of experimentation, it is now very clear to the new WSU coaches that they made a mistake with the choice to play him on the defensive line.

With Mattingly returning to his natural position of strongside linebacker, he may be able to regain his 2007 form. At 6-4 255 pounds, he is a physically imposing athlete with a versatile skill set. He is a spectacular pass-rusher, but also has the speed and quickness to run with receivers and tight ends in coverage. The Spokane (WA) native will form a formidable duo with Bland, giving the Cougars a great foundation to build around.

Andy Mattingly hopes to have a less frustrating season at LB

Washington State will be breaking in a new middle linebacker this season, sophomore Alex Hoffman-Ellis. Hoffman-Ellis joined the team in August of 2008, and is a very raw prospect. He has only played two years of competitive football (one high school and one junior college), making the learning curve especially steep if he wants to be ready to compete in the Pac-10. Still, his natural ability is exciting, and he has been praised for his dedication in film study as well as on the field.

At 6-1 236 pounds, Hoffman-Ellis has good size and moves very well for a middle linebacker. He has enough speed to make plays on the edges, which should give the defensive coordinators some creative possibilities. While it will be hard to replace four-year starter Greg Trent at the MLB position, Hoffman-Ellis offers a lot of potential. The Los Angeles (CA) native looked great during spring, and entered fall atop the depth chart.

The main reserve behind Hoffman-Ellis will be sophomore Mike Ledgerwood. Last season, Ledgerwood played in 10 games as a freshman, making 14 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. With a year of experience under his belt, the Kennewick (WA) native should be a steady presence in the middle of the defense when he is called upon. At 6-0 224 pounds he is a bit undersized for a MLB, but he has good speed (4.53) and solid fundamentals.

The top weakside backup is junior Myron Beck. Beck started nine games in 2008, after walking on as a JC transfer from Glendale C.C. in Arizona. He accounted for 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one interception in his debut year with the Cougars.

At Pac-10 Media Day, coach Wulff mentioned Beck as one of the players that has improved most since the end of last season. At 5-11 202 pounds, he is built like Bland, and relies on his quickness to defeat larger defenders. After off-season back surgery, the Seattle (WA) native has progressed very well and seems to be at full strength once again.

Other players competing for time are: seniors Jason Stripling and Sam Tennant, juniors Hallston Higgins, and Andrew Kreutz, sophomore Marshall Pirtz, and freshmen Kevin Baffney, Andre Barrington, Deon Ford, Joshua Garett, Sekope Kaufusi, and Darren Markle.

My Take

For folks in Pullman that are looking for a glass half full perspective, here it is: the linebackers are actually pretty good. I don’t know if the defense as a whole will be any better than last year, but I expect this unit of LB’s to pull their weight (and some).

Bland’s knee injury is a little discomforting, but I still expect him to be very productive this season. Beck is a quality backup too, so the weakside is in great shape.

Cougar fans should be very excited about Mattingly’s full-time return to strongside linebacker. His pass-rushing skills and overall physicality should force opposing offenses to account for him on every play, which will greatly aid the rest of the defense. If Hoffman-Ellis can adequately hold down the middle linebacker spot, WSU will have a reliable trio of defenders at the second level.

Overall, expect this unit to be the backbone of the Washington State defense in 2009.

Sarkisian’s recruiting efforts quickly paid off (see: Nick Montana), and his offensive philosophy seems to be clicking with Jake Locker (see: a fantastic spring). But perhaps his best accomplishment in Seattle so far was persuading defensive coordinator Nick Holt to bolt from USC and help rebuild the worst Husky defense in school history (38.6 points per game, 451.8 yards allowed).

Holt is one of the finest defensive minds in the Pac-10, and he brings a proven record to Washington, capped off by the dominance of last season’s Trojans D. For the 46-year old DC to have success in 2009, he will have to rely on the services of a linebacking corps that is the strength of the defense.

The LB unit received a massive boost when Sarkisian decided to reinstate senior E.J. Savannah.

E.J. Savannah will get a second chance

Savannah was the Huskies leading tackler in 2007 with 111 tackles, and 14 tackles for loss, but was suspended indefinitely prior to the 2008 season for academic issues among other things. Savannah announced last September that he was planning to transfer, but after waiting to see what would happen with the coaching situation at UW, he was contacted by Sarkisian and told that he could come back.

The return of Savannah gives the Huskies a tremendously talented playmaker at outside linebacker. He was a signature recruit (4-stars from Rivals and Scout) for former UW coach Tyron Willingham in 2005, and has all the physical ability you could ask for.

At 6-1 228 pounds, Savannah is a natural at linebacker with good size and speed (4.5). He moves very well laterally, but will also punish ball carriers that like to run north/south. Nick Holt’s traditional 4-3 defensive scheme gives Savannah a chance to move back to his original position of weakside linebacker, and he has looked sharp there during the off-season.

The Bellevue (WA) product will look to close out his eventful career the right way, and he has the tools to be an all-conference performer in 2009.

With Savannah manning the weakside, junior Mason Foster will now move to the strongside.

Last season, Foster flourished as Savannah’s replacement with a team-leading 105 tackles, and 12 tackles for loss. He led the conference in tackles per game with 8.75, and was an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection.

At 6-2 229 pounds, Foster possesses a nice blend of size and speed (4.5). He lived in the opponent’s backfield last season because of his aggressive pursuit angles and instinctive timing. Foster is also a sure-tackler who wraps up the offensive player well.

The Seaside (CA) native played on the weakside during his prolific 2008 campaign, but Holt will now switch him to the other side in order to accommodate Savannah. Fortunately, the move should free up Foster to rush the passer more, which fits his skill set perfectly. Wherever he plays, Foster will be one of the Huskies best defensive players again in 2009.

Versatile senior Donald Butler will man the middle linebacker position in 2009. Last season, Butler started 11 of the Huskies 12 games, with five starts at the MLB spot and six coming at OLB. He finished a solid 2008 campaign with 69 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks.

Butler will provide the Husky defense with maturity and leadership, as well as an exciting skill set. At 6-1 242 pounds, he is a well-built athlete who has an exceptional football IQ. He tackles well in space, and can drop back into coverage when necessary.

Sarkisian may have sent a message about Butler’s value to the program when he chose him as the player representative for UW at Pac-10 Media Day in Los Angeles on July 30th.

Donald Butler joins Coach Sarkisian on Media Day

Butler’s steady presence in the middle will gel nicely with the explosiveness of Foster and Savannah. The Sacramento (CA) native was tremendous during the spring, and should be one of Washington’s most consistent performers throughout the season.

Behind Butler on the depth chart at middle linebacker is senior Trenton Tuiasosopo. The resilient Tuiasosopo has been through a lot in his football career, including a serious knee injury in 2004 and a terrifying bike accident in 2005 that put him in critical condition. This past off-season, he successfully petitioned the NCAA for another year of eligibility, and will therefore be entering year six with Washington.

Trenton is the first cousin of two former Huskies, QB Marques Tuiasosopo and FB Zach Tuiasosopo.

At 6-2 243 pounds, the reliable senior is a run-stopping specialist with tremendous strength. Last season he played in all 12 games and started seven at MLB, finishing with a career-high 71 tackles (3rd on team). While he does not possess great speed or quickness, he is a gamer who just knows how to make plays. Tuiasosopo should see a lot of action again this season as one of the top reserves on defense.

At outside linebacker, the main backup will be senior Josh Gage. Gage played in 10 of 12 games last season, including four starts at OLB. He finished with 17 tackles in 2008, and has been a stellar special teams contributor during his career.

At 6-2 223 pounds, Gage plays with a ton of energy and never takes a play off. The Huntington Beach (CA) native is now on full scholarship after walking on in 2005, and he should see considerably more action in his final year with the program than he has to this point.

Other players competing for time are: freshmen Tim Tucker, Jonathan Amosa, Reece Anderson, Jordan Wallace, and Kurt Mangum, juniors Fred Wiggs, Matt Houston, and Brandon Huppert, and senior T.J. Poe.

My Take

Nick Holt has a lot of work to do with this Husky defense, but the linebackers at his disposal are special. This LB unit is the strength of the defense, and although that may not be saying much, three all-conference caliber players will be suiting up in Seattle this season.

I expect Savannah to regain his 2007 form on the weakside, and I don’t foresee Foster having much trouble moving to the strongside. I also think Butler is primed for a big year, and he should easily surpass his 69 tackle season from 2008.

Depth is my only concern with this unit. Tuiasosopo is a very solid backup for Butler, and Gage should be dependable at OLB, but from there things get hazy. For this LB corps to reach its full potential, more quality backups must surface (especially for next year since every major contributor besides Foster will be gone after this season).

Overall, expect a rebuilding Husky defense to rely heavily on these talented linebackers in 2009.

There is no denying the impressive talent that Erickson and defensive coordinator Craig Bray have assembled on the defensive side of the ball, especially at the linebacker position.

With an intriguing mix of accomplished veterans and explosive underclassmen, the linebacking corps at ASU has a chance to be one of the best units in the Pac-10.

Ultra-productive senior Mike Nixon will lead the LB group in 2009. Nixon had a tremendous 2008 season, totaling 90 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and five interceptions (tied for most in Pac-10). He was an Honorable Mention All-Pac-10 selection as well as a First Team All-Academic selection, and he will be returning to the weakside spot again this season.

Mike Nixon makes a big hit

The 25-year-old Nixon started his career by signing a letter of intent with Bob Toledo’s UCLA Bruins in 2002, but never enrolled. Instead, he signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school and played in their minor league system before finally joining the Sun Devils in 2006.

Since his arrival in Tempe, Nixon has become one of the team’s top playmakers. The Phoenix (AZ) native is a cerebral player that is always in the right place. At 6-3 224 pounds, he is solidly built and possesses good quickness for an outside LB. He is also a very savvy cover man, and he put those skills on display last season (five INTs and five pass break-ups). Nixon enjoyed a solid spring, and will be one of the team leaders for the Sun Devils in 2009.

Another veteran linebacker, senior Travis Goethel, will join the seasoned Nixon as a starter in 2009. Goethel has started 25 straight games for the Sun Devils and finished a productive 2008 campaign with 71 tackles (3rd on team), 7.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. He has spent his entire career at outside linebacker, but will move to the middle this season.

At 6-3 237 pounds, Goethel is an extremely physical defender who plays with reckless abandon. He is always looking for the big hit, and moves very well downhill. He will have to adjust to inside linebacker, which could take some time, but he has all the physical tools necessary to become a very good MLB. There is also a chance that Goethel will move back to the strongside depending on how the young players fit into the rotation.

Regardless of where he ends up, the Vista (CA) native should continue to be a force for the Sun Devils in 2009.

Goethel’s move to the middle has opened the door for sophomore Shelly Lyons at the strongside. Lyons played a reserve role in all 12 games as a true freshman last season, finishing with 36 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. He has an explosive skill set, and is particularly effective as a run-stopper. Lyons enjoyed an excellent spring, working with the first-team defense for the majority of his reps.

At 6-2 225 pounds, Lyons has a nice combination of size and strength, as well as tremendous closing speed when pursuing the ball carrier. He entered the program in 2008 as a very raw prospect, but has developed quickly. Lyons is a rangy linebacker that covers space in a hurry, which makes him a perfect fit for the Devils’ defensive scheme. The former Corona-Centennial High School (CA) standout has entered fall camp atop the depth chart at the strongside linebacker spot.

One of the best athletes on the entire ASU roster is sophomore Brandon Magee. Magee played as a true freshman in 2008, but injuries limited him throughout the season and he finished with only 11 tackles. After an impressive spring, Magee is once again in the mix for playing time at outside linebacker. He is a natural fit for the weakside, but it may be tough for him to cut into Nixon’s playing time. Still, his tremendous speed (4.42) should be perfect for blitz packages, and he could become a terrifying edge rusher.

At 6-0 226 pounds, Magee is a great tackler in the open field with good coverage skills as well. He was a high-school teammate of Shelly Lyons at Corona-Centennial High School (CA), and may join Lyons in the lineup at some point this season. He is currently listed as Nixon’s main backup on the weakside.

Over the last few months, most of the buzz in Tempe has been centered on true freshman linebacker Vontaze Burfict. Burfict is the highest-ranked prospect ever to sign with Arizona State, and Dennis Erickson has compared the super-recruit to Ray Lewis (Erickson coached Lewis at Miami). He will have a chance to contribute right away, and has recently started practicing with ASU at the team’s fall camp.

At 6-3 245 pounds, Burfict is one of the most physically developed true freshman in the country. He possesses ideal size for an inside linebacker and plays with a rare blend of power and speed. Burfict is a do-it-all linebacker who can blitz, stop the run, or cover in space. He has also developed a reputation for being a devastating hitter, who routinely sheds blocks on his way to the ball carrier.

Burfict was unanimously rated as the number one linebacker of the 2009 class by Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN. The 5-star prospect is yet another Corona-Centennial High School (CA) product on the ASU roster, joining Lyons, Magee, RB Ryan Bass, DT William Sutton, and WR Jarrid Bryant.

The Sun Devil coaching staff may elect to move Travis Goethel back to the strongside if Burfict progresses at middle linebacker this fall, because it is highly unlikely that the heralded true freshman will redshirt this season. Burfict will have an opportunity to play a big role on the Arizona State defense in 2009, and could become a mainstay in the middle of the defense for years to come.

The other inside LB that could make an impact for ASU this fall is senior Gerald Munns. Munns started the first three games of the 2008 season at middle linebacker, but left the team for personal reasons. In his brief 2008 campaign, he flashed great ability by making 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one interception over the three game-span. His return will greatly bolster the linebacker depth for the Devils this season, giving the unit another productive veteran to go along with Nixon and Goethel.

At 6-4 242 pounds, Munns is an intelligent player with great size and toughness. He is versatile enough to play the strongside, but will start the year at MLB. The Queen Creek (AZ) native is looking to end his career on a high note, and he should see plenty of action this season.

Other players competing for time are: sophomores Oliver Aaron, Colin Parker, Derrall Anderson, and freshman Anthony Jones.

My Take

Defensive Coordinator Craig Bray has one of the deepest lienbacking units in the Pac-10 at his disposal; now he must figure out the right combination before the season starts.

The way I see it, there are two distinct styles present within this unit: fundamentally sound/error-free playmakers and explosive/dynamic playmakers.

The veterans like Nixon, Goethel, and Munns fit the fundamentally sound mold, as they are hard-workers who make great things happen, but not off-the-chart athletes. Lyons, Magee, and Burfict are all incredibly explosive athletes with tons of upside, but they must gain experience and limit mental errors. Bray’s job is to figure out how to gel these two styles into a successful corps of linebackers.

I believe the best combination will ultimately be Nixon on the weakside, Burfict in the middle, and Goethel moving back to the strongside. I also believe Magee has the potential to be a big-time player, but questions remain about whether he has a firm grasp of the defensive scheme.

Bottom line: the Sun Devils versatile linebacking unit will be one of the major strengths of the team in 2009.

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.

The Cardinal are faster and stronger than they have been in years at the position, and more importantly, coach Harbaugh’s tremendous recruiting effort has allowed for quality depth to surface within the unit. This may not be the Pac-10’s best group of linebackers, but it is a technically sound unit that is full of potential.

Replacing productive three-year starter Pat Maynor (graduated) will not be easy, as he was a mainstay at linebacker over the course of his career (257 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 10 sacks). Fortunately, the Cardinal have a proven senior leader in the middle of the defense who will guide the rest of the Stanford LBs in 2009.

Fifth-year senior Clinton Snyder enters his final season in Palo Alto having started in 34 of the past 36 games. Snyder is the undisputed anchor of the unit, and one of the most productive linebackers in the conference. He is a punishing run-stopper, but will also act as one of the team’s best blitz options.

Clinton Snyder waits for the snap

Snyder has already enjoyed a stellar career at Stanford, accounting for 237 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss (TFL), 13 sacks, and 10 forced fumbles (FF). In 2007, he put up tremendous numbers totaling 96 tackles, 14.5 TFL, eight sacks, and four FF.

Last season, Snyder’s production tailed off a bit with only 58 tackles, 6.5 TFL, three sacks, and three FF (still, not bad for an “off” year). He is highly motivated to regain his form from two years ago, and the 2009 season could be his best yet.

At 6-4 240 pounds, Snyder has prototypical size for an inside linebacker. He routinely finds the quickest path to the ball carrier, and can blow up an offensive play by himself because of his rare defensive instincts.

The San Diego (CA) native will move back to middle linebacker in 2009 after spending most of his career on the outside. He missed the early part of spring because of an ankle injury suffered late last season, but he recovered nicely and will enter fall camp as one of the top playmakers on the entire Cardinal team.

Next to Snyder on the weakside will be talented junior Chike Amajoyi. Amajoyi was recruited as a running back, but has made a very successful transition to the defensive side of the ball. Last season, he played in all 12 games (five starts) finishing with 51 tackles and two tackles for loss.

Like Snyder, Amajoyi’s production was down slightly in 2008 compared to his previous season. He made an exciting debut two years ago with 47 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble as a freshman reserve. After two seasons in a supporting role, he will now be counted on as a starting outside linebacker.

At 6-0 235 pounds, Amajoyi provides the Stanford defense with very good speed (4.5) and athleticism on the outside. His quickness allows him to cover space in a hurry, and he uses his fluid hips to swiftly close in on ball carriers.

The San Bernardino (CA) native will be a great asset for the pass rush as well as in coverage situations, and Co-defensive coordinators Andy Buh and Ron Lynn could use his versatile skill set in a number of other creative ways. Amajoyi enters fall camp atop the depth chart at weakside linebacker.

Chike Amajoyi dives to make the tackle

Sturdy senior Will Powers will man the strongside linebacker spot in 2009. Powers is an extremely intelligent player (First Team All-Pac-10 Academic Honors in 2008) who is always in the right position. The reliable veteran appeared in all 12 games last season, but made an impact mostly on special teams as he finished with only 10 tackles. For his career, he has made six starts and played in 35 total games, recording 28 tackles, two TFL, and one sack.

At 6-4 240 pound, Powers does not have a dynamic skill set, but he could be a consistent run-stopping presence who won’t make mental errors. The Foster City (CA) native could conceivably split time with others at the strongside spot in 2009, but he will start the year as the number one guy.

There are a number of exciting reserve linebackers available in 2009.

Clinton Snyder’s main backup will be junior Nick Macaluso. With Snyder firmly entrenched at the middle linebacker position it will be difficult for Macaluso to see extensive time this season, but he is more than capable of filling in when needed.

Over the last two seasons, he has made appearances in 15 games and started 12 of them. Last season, he started five games and made 20 tackles with four TFL before a hand injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season. At 6-3 241 pounds, Macaluso is a tenacious run-stopper and brings an overall toughness to the unit. The Middletown (NJ) product will play in a reserve role this season, but should supplant Snyder at inside LB in 2010.

The fiercest position battle in the linebacking corps this spring was between Will Powers and promising sophomore Alex Debniak. The battle may resume in the fall; in fact, Debniak could force his way into the lineup on both sides of the ball.

He may have had the best spring of any player on the team (excluding QB Andrew Luck). Debniak rushed for 91 yards on four carries as a tailback in the Cardinal and White game, while also making numerous defensive plays throughout the entire spring. He played sparingly in eight games as a freshman, making four tackles on the season.

At 6-2 231 pounds, Debniak is a powerful athlete with 4.4 speed, and could become a force at outside linebacker. The Hudsonville (MI) native will enter fall camp very much in the hunt for the strongside job, and he may play extensively even if he doesn’t win it from Powers.

Two other reserves that could make an impact this season are sophomore Max Bergen and true freshman Shayne Skov.

The 6-2 227 pound Bergen will be the main backup to Amajoyi on the weakside. While he has no experience to draw from, Bergen’s upside is exciting. He is one of the Cardinal’s most agile linebackers, and has looked sharp in the spring. The East Stroudsburg (PA) native will get his feet wet this season, and should be an impact defender for Stanford over the next few years.

One of the most heralded Harbaugh recruits from the 2009 class is future headliner Shayne Skov. Programs all over the country recruited the 6-3 237 pound Skov before he decided to suit up for the Cardinal. The Piedmont (CA) native played his high school football at Trinity-Pawling in New York, and became a prep star while on the east coast.

Rivals.com ranked him as the 3rd best inside LB in the country and gave him 4-stars, while Scout.com gave him 5-star recognition and ranked him 3rd in the country at MLB as well. He has just recently arrived on campus in Palo Alto, but has all the tools to play right away.

Other linebackers that will compete for time are: junior Owen Marecic (also starter at fullback), sophomore Johnathan Frink, and freshman Geoff Meinken.

My Take

As mentioned before, Harbaugh has done a great job of infusing the Cardinal defense with versatile talent and depth. I still think the defense is a year or two away from being elite, but this program is doing everything the right way.

The linebackers are chalk full of hard-nosed, physical workers that all weigh at least 230 pounds. At media day, Harbaugh mentioned the strides that had been made in the weight room over the off-season, and I look for strength and speed to define this linebacking corps in 2009.

Snyder has next level ability, and he should flourish in the middle, while Amajoyi will bring great quickness on the outside. I will be most interested to see if Powers can hold off the hard-charging Debniak at the strongside spot, as that job is still too close to call.

Finally, Stanford fans that don’t know the name Shayne Skov will be hearing it often over the next few years so get ready; he will be a star.

Look for youth and experience to come together at linebacker on the Farm this season.

Chuck Bullough will be entering his fourth season with UCLA, and his first as the defensive coordinator. Bullough has been the linebackers coach for the last three seasons, and he will continue to coach the unit in addition to serving as DC.

This season, Bullough will have all-conference talent to work with throughout the defense, but his linebacking corps seems especially lethal. The group features some of the most physical athletes in the Pac-10, including an All-American candidate looking to finish off his tremendous career in style.

Senior Reggie Carter enters his final season in Westwood as a team captain and one of the best defensive players in the country. Last season, he led the Bruins with 83 tackles on his way to garnering second team All-Pac-10 honors.

Reggie Carter in pursuit

The 6-1 240 pound Carter also tallied 4.5 tackles for loss (5th on team) and tied for 4th in the conference with three forced fumbles. Against BYU, Carter made a career-high 20-tackles, which gave him the most stops in a game by a Bruin since 1989.

The Los Angeles (CA) native is the heart of the defense, and teammates and coaches have praised him for his leadership qualities. Carter spent part of his career at outside linebacker, but will now return to the middle where he is better suited. While he lacks elite speed (4.6), Carter is relentless in his pursuit of ball carriers. He possesses rare instincts and a tremendous football IQ as well.

Carter has consistently improved every season since arriving at UCLA, going from 48 tackles as a freshman All-American, to 62 tackles as a sophomore, and finishing with 83 tackles as a junior last season. He is a likely candidate for the Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year) as well as various other honors, and will be one of the key components for Rick Neuheisel’s Bruins in 2009.

Joining Carter as a starter will be fellow senior Kyle Bosworth. Bosworth will occupy the weakside at linebacker once again, after an injury forced him to miss most of the 2008 season. Bosworth sprained his knee against BYU last season after playing in just two games, and was granted a substitute year of eligibility as a result.

At 6-1 234 pounds, Bosworth is an extremely physical presence at weakside linebacker, and like Carter he plays with steadfast aggression. In 2007, Bosworth finished 5th on the team with 74 tackles and four tackles for loss.

He plays much faster than his forty-time suggests (4.70), and is rarely caught out of position. The Plano (TX) native will look to wreak havoc on opposing offenses alongside his brother Korey (defensive end). Bosworth enters fall camp in good health, and has a firm grasp on a starting role in 2009.

The strongside spot belongs to exciting redshirt sophomore Akeem Ayers. Ayers burst onto the scene last season as a redshirt freshman, recording 40 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for loss. He earned honorable mention All-Pac-10, while also being named to multiple all-freshman teams.

Akeem Ayers takes down Fresno State's Tom Brandstater

At 6-4 252 pounds, Ayers possesses the size of a defensive end, but is athletic enough to play outside linebacker. He will be a headliner for years to come in Westwood, with a versatile skill set that could allow him to move around on the defense.

The Los Angeles (CA) native was a phenomenal high school player at Verbum Dei High School, playing on offense, defense, and even returning kicks. Rivals and Scout.com gave him 4-star recognition and he was named a PrepStar All-American. Ayers has the strongside spot locked up, and looks primed for an all-conference season in 2009.

Reserve sophomores Steve Sloan and Sean Westgate could also see playing time in 2009 after impressive freshmen campaigns.

The 6-4 231 pound Sloan was able to take advantage of playing time after Boswroth went down, starting nine of 12 games and finishing with 29 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Sloan played inside last season, and will therefore be the main backup for Carter.

The Campbell (CA) native played linebacker at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, making 143 tackles during his senior year. Rivals and Scout.com rated him as a 4-star prospect and he will be the future at middle linebacker for the Bruins once Carter is gone. He enters fall camp as one of the top reserves for UCLA.

The 5-11 205 pound Westgate wasted no time making an impact at UCLA, picking up a blocked punt and returning it for a TD in the season opener against Tennessee. He went on to appear in all 12 games as a true freshman, making 18 tackles on the season. Westgate does not have the size of the other linebackers, but he is a fierce competitor that plays with a high motor. The Oak Park (CA) native enters fall as the main backup to Bosworth on the weakside.

Other linebackers that could see time in 2009 are: freshmen Isaiah Bowens, Donovan Carter, Todd Golper, Patrick Larimore, and junior Mike Schmitt.

My Take

UCLA will field three all-conference caliber linebackers this season as part of an exciting Bruins defense. The sky is the limit for this unit as long as they can stay healthy, but if the offense struggles, fatigue may become an issue. There are talented underclassmen after the big three, but proven depth is the biggest concern.

How many linebackers return to the Pac-10 this season that are better than Reggie Carter? I can’t think of many (Oregon State’s Keaton Kristick is close). Carter will join DT Brian Price and CB Alterraun Verner in forming a three-headed monster at all defensive levels for UCLA.

I look for Carter to finish his career on a high note, and a spot on an All-American team is a real possibility. The return of Bosworth is massive, giving the Bruins another tackling machine to go along with Carter. I also love the explosiveness of Ayers, who seems destined for a breakout sophomore season.

Overall, I expect UCLA’s linebackers to be among the most productive in the conference throughout 2009.