This time one year ago, the linebacker position for the Oklahoma State Cowboys was a question mark entering the season.
Two Freshman All-Americans, an Independence Bowl MVP and a position change later, the linebacker corps heads into the season as possibly the strongest position on the team.
The luxury of starting the season with a proven group of linebackers on an otherwise inexperienced defensive squad is a huge advantage for defensive coordinator Tim Beckman.
“No question that anyone that’s been out there and played in games understands what the bowl game Alabama was like, these guys are the ones you lean on,” Beckman said.
Chris Collins and Patrick Lavine, who both earned Freshman All-American honors last season, anchor the defense in the middle
Collins, who earned the award despite playing only six games last year, led OSU in tackles before suffering a season-ending torn ACL against Kansas on Oct. 14.
Lavine was arguably the most consistent player last year for the Pokes. He finished second on the team in tackles and earned his way into the starting lineup as a freshman.
Fan favorite Donovan Woods has earned a reputation as the ultimate team player.
Woods was recruited out of high school as a quarterback, but moved to safety in 2005.
This offseason, Woods moved from safety to linebacker, where he said he feels right at home.
“Hopefully it’s a good move for the ball club as well as for my self,” Woods said. “And hopefully I can do some things to help this team.”
Weak side linebacker Jeremy Nethon had a strong junior season, including earning defensive Independence Bowl MVP honors in OSU’s 34-31 victory against Alabama.
Nethon, Woods, Lavine and Collins are all considered likely candidates for starting positions, but the competition drives them every day.
“That’s the good thing about the line backing corps; every linebacker that we have can go out there and play,” Nethon said.
Backups Justin Gent, Marcus Brown and Orie Lemon are all starting-caliber players, which Nethon said gives the defense a leg-up over years past.
“[In the past] maybe the first string was good but the second string was kind of lacking,” Nethon said. “But being able to know that if I’m tired, if I get injured, someone is right there to fill the spot and not skip a beat.”
The all-star talent in the linebacker unit became even more evident Tuesday when Collins and Lavine were named to the Butkus Award watch list. The Butkus Award is handed out annually to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker.
OSU is the only Big 12 school and one of only seven schools nationwide to have two players on the list.
“They’re good guys and they work hard,” Gundy said. “Hopefully they will live up to those expectations and play well.”
With an unforgiving schedule beginning with nationally-ranked Georgia, the weight of the defense will lie heavily on the shoulders of the veteran line backing corps.
“It’s their team,” Beckman said. “They’re going to be the ones who will lead us into how well we are going to play.”
Loading ...
All Articles