Looking at the LB's in this Class

[HogWildBison2011]

You have to feel very good about what we have coming in. The four guys we have committed at LB seem to have tremendous upside.


Alexy Jean-Baptiste (http://247sports.com/player/alexy-jean-baptiste-61353) 6'3 205 lbs looks to fit the bill of WLB in our scheme. We have complained about our LB's in coverage but this guy could be the remedy for that. You can see in this film he even played a little CB. (http://www.hudl.com/athlete/2589895/highlights/283317994/v3)
P5 Offers: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, NC State, North Carolina, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

De'jon Harris (http://247sports.com/player/dejon-harris-79282) 6'0 238 lbs could play either MLB or SLB. His size and athleticism is pretty uncommon. This guy played QB, RB, and LB at his HS and looked outstanding doing all of it. And he hits like a mack truck.
P5 Offers: Arkansas, Bama, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona State.

Giovanni LaFrance (http://247sports.com/player/giovanni-lafrance-55364) 6'1 239 is built similarly to Harris. I see LaFrance in the SLB mold. The SLB in our system has to shift through the trash and fight his way to the ball carrier. I really think LaFrance's style of play fits that perfectly.
P5 Offers: Arkansas, Arizona State, California, Louisville, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Utah.

Dee Walker (http://247sports.com/player/dee-walker-79869) 6'3 210 lbs I feel like he could play in any of the LB spots in our defense. He is extremely athletic and looks like a nightmare pass rusher. Walker's length and speed reminds me of a lighter Von Miller. I really believe we got a late steal with this guy.
P5 offers: Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Tennessee.

We lose no one at LB due to graduation and I'm really hoping Josh Williams recovers and can return ASAP. We have 9 out of 10 healthy bodies on the roster for LB and adding at least 4 to the fold as of now. I'm not as concerned as I once was at this position.

[nwahogfan1]

Could be the best LB group as a whole we have ever signed.    Lots of potential.  I can see at least one of these guys starting at one of the LBer spots next year and all 4 seeing time on special teams. 

[Hambunctious]

Really nice breakdown!  All those highlight vids make it hard for me spot anything telling for some defensive positions.  Offensive skill positions are much easier by comparison.

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

Could be the best LB group as a whole we have ever signed.    Lots of potential.  I can see at least one of these guys starting at one of the LBer spots next year and all 4 seeing time on special teams. 

I hope we redshirt at least one if not two.  LB is a historical problem for us for some reason.  It'd be nice to spread their graduations apart a little and have the redshirt players better developed when they do see game action.

[HogWildBison2011]

I forgot about the addition of Ramsey coming back as a walk on. We will redshirt at least two of these guys. My first two I could see getting PT would be Walker or Harris.

[scruf]

I forgot about the addition of Ramsey coming back as a walk on. We will redshirt at least two of these guys. My first two I could see getting PT would be Walker or Harris.

Totally agree but I wouldn't be totally surprised if they gave Harris a look at RB in fall camp during early developmental work.

[secneahog]

Very great group. I don't see Harris getting any snaps at rb imo..

[Tejano Jawg]

Well done HWB2011. Now can you do that for all our other positions?   

[JIHawg]

Our LB's have the best names of any class!!!

[MS_HogFan]

Nice work HogWild. Great post and I agree 100%.

[Hogsolo]

Love that size, can't coach that!

[NLRHog92]

Definitely highest priority for this staff, and they addressed it in a big way! Looked like we got some good ones last year, but Graham got too big and Jackson was needed at FB. Obviously Greenlaw worked out well and continued to improve. Looking forward to these young men shoring up our biggest weakness last year and turning it in to a couple of wins!

[DeltaBoy]

I expect to see some of them on the field soon.

[Tim Harris]

Just numbers alone makes this one of the best LB classes we have had in quite some time.  Add in that all of them appear to be very good players and I am definitely satisfied with the way we recruited this position. 

[swinesation]

Definitely highest priority for this staff, and they addressed it in a big way! Looked like we got some good ones last year, but Graham got too big and Jackson was needed at FB. Obviously Greenlaw worked out well and continued to improve. Looking forward to these young men shoring up our biggest weakness last year and turning it in to a couple of wins!

So does that mean they're moving Graham to DE?

[ridgehog23]

Don't forget Grant Morgan! 

[HogFoo]

To me, other than DL, this is the most important group of kids that we needed.  LBs.  And it looks like we got a good group for the future.  Great size and speed.  Other than LB,  DL,  DEs are where I think we needed to focus on more.  Here's my thought process on it.  We absolutely needed to get a pass rush.  We got that with Sosa Agim.  I think he plays into a starting role right away.  I think Ledbetter will be an absolute stud will Wise and the rest of our DE's.   We have hole pluggers already and have added some more at the DL.    We had a great Defense 2 seasons ago because of the Triangle.    Philon- DL,  Flowers -DE, Spaight - LB.   Having those 3 guys in our front 7 allowed us to have a wonderful defense even without super top flight dbs or safeties.   We were able to get pressure with the Triangle,  Spaight covered the middle especially well and it allowed our DBs to not have to be superstars just because of the greatness of our Triangle. That's why I believe if we just continue to focus on the front 7, then we'll be ok until we are actually able to get top flight talent at every position in the defensive backfield. 

We are heading in the right direction.  I am excited to see these guys get in the weight room and let the Transformer get ahold of them!

[HogFoo]

Definitely highest priority for this staff, and they addressed it in a big way! Looked like we got some good ones last year, but Graham got too big and Jackson was needed at FB. Obviously Greenlaw worked out well and continued to improve. Looking forward to these young men shoring up our biggest weakness last year and turning it in to a couple of wins!

We could perhaps move Greenlaw to safety with the new talent we have at LB.  Hopefully Williams is able to return pretty soon and Jackson moves back to LB with the addition of Hayden at FB.    THat would be a good lineup. 

[Nosboar Accubond]

No doubt Coach said "if we don't do anything else this year we will shore up the LB play, get a stud RB and lock down the D line future and get some athletic corners".

This is a very stout defensive class, could be the foundation for a Championship run. Just need to polish it off with the right pieces.

[GolfnHog]

Nice summation HWB2011. Who do you see as being ready to contribute this year vs who gets a RS?

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Yeah, on paper, this easily looks like the best LB class we've had since I can remember.  Finally.

[PonderinHog]

Yeah, on paper, this easily looks like the best LB class we've had since I can remember.  Finally.

Is #2 even close

[greenie]

Don't forget Grant Morgan!

If he's anything like his brother, my guess is that this guy will bring the wood!

[thefisher]

Redshirt a couple, get them all pounding the weights in the off season, keep them focused on their academics, and stay healthy. If that all comes together over the next couple of seasons ...... well, this group will have the potential to make the linebacking core one of the strongest components of the team. I can't remember a time that was ever true before.

[The_Iceman]

We got more LB's in one class that Petrino had on the roster in his final year! But hey, we have 20 WR's though. (exaggeration intended)

[nwahogfan1]

Don't forget Grant Morgan! 

I love this kid.  He lacks some super star measurements but he has a super star heart and desire.  At least from watching the kid in games.  He is tough to run against.  Around 6' and 215 lbs, can find the ball and will knock the fool out of you.  I worry a little bit about his speed but not about his heart.

[lilRockNDubb]

We could perhaps move Greenlaw to safety with the new talent we have at LB.  Hopefully Williams is able to return pretty soon and Jackson moves back to LB with the addition of Hayden at FB.    THat would be a good lineup.

NO.. Did you not see the production on the field? He was our best LB last year..

[nwahogfan1]

I forgot about the addition of Ramsey coming back as a walk on. We will redshirt at least two of these guys. My first two I could see getting PT would be Walker or Harris.

You are probable right and they will R/S a couple of them but I love this class.

[The_Iceman]

NO.. Did you not see the production on the field? He was our best LB last year..

No man, lets move a Freshman ALL AMERICAN Linebacker to safety. SMH.

[hawginbigd1]

I hope we redshirt at least one if not two.  LB is a historical problem for us for some reason.  It'd be nice to spread their graduations apart a little and have the redshirt players better developed when they do see game action.

CBB- 2 will likely play and 2 will likely RS.

[nwahogfan1]

We could perhaps move Greenlaw to safety with the new talent we have at LB.  Hopefully Williams is able to return pretty soon and Jackson moves back to LB with the addition of Hayden at FB.    THat would be a good lineup. 

Greenlaw is a very good athlete at OLB but does he have the speed and agility to cover those WRs with an extra gear in the SEC at Safety?? 

[hawginbigd1]

No man, lets move a Freshman ALL AMERICAN Linebacker to safety. SMH.

I don't necessarily think this is as preposterous as some make it sound, Dre struggled some with being under-sized, he mostly made up for it with sheer will and quickness.

[PorkRinds]

We could perhaps move Greenlaw to safety with the new talent we have at LB.  Hopefully Williams is able to return pretty soon and Jackson moves back to LB with the addition of Hayden at FB.    THat would be a good lineup.

All American linebacker as a freshman, so lets move him to safety and put more freshmen in his spot!

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Is #2 even close

I said "easily", so I'd say no.

[HogFoo]

I don't necessarily think this is as preposterous as some make it sound, Dre struggled some with being under-sized, he mostly made up for it with sheer will and quickness.

this

[HogFoo]

All American linebacker as a freshman, so lets move him to safety and put more freshmen in his spot!

if I remember correctly he didn't want to play LB, he wanted to play safety.  So, how about shoooshing with the idiotic attacks when someone brings up a remark the kid himself made.  How about that?  thanks!