Junior linebacker Patrick Lavine makes a tackle during the spring game. Lavine has been second in tackles for the Cowboys each of the past two seasons and brings experience and leadership to the position.
On a defense that is looking to drastically improve from a season ago, the linebacker corps will look different than last year’s group.
Junior Patrick Lavine is the only returning starter from linebacker last season. Junior Andre Sexton started at safety last year but has moved to the star linebacker spot, a linebacker/safety hybrid position that defensive coordinator Tim Beckman created.
Although Sexton did play some snaps at linebacker last season, Lavine is the only player with significant experience at the position. With his experience comes an almost expected role of leadership, which he said he has accepted and enjoys.
Lavine has helped the other linebackers where he can, and Sexton has noticed his leadership abilities, saying he is also grateful for any advice Lavine offers.
“He leads by example,” Sexton said. “He has been very instrumental in me and Orie’s [Lemon] growth at linebacker.”
Lavine, who finished second on the team last season with 81 tackles, said he has also been impressed with Sexton’s smooth transition from safety to linebacker and said he thinks it was a good move by the coaching staff.
“I think that was one of the biggest moves coach Beckman made,” Lavine said. “I think it’s gonna be a big difference in the speed at the linebacker position and covering.”
Sexton, who racked up 69 tackles and two interceptions last year, agrees the linebackers have more speed this year.
“I think we’ve been playing pretty good together,” Sexton said. “The speed that we bring to the defense that we didn’t have last year is gonna allow us to do so many different things in coverage.”
Junior Orie Lemon, who saw limited action last year, is also pleased with the progress that the linebackers have made as a group.
“The linebackers are coming along pretty well,” Lemon said. “We’re working out pretty well. We’re in the film room every day studying.”
The Cowboys also have depth at the position with the addition of junior Donald Booker, a transfer from Navarro Junior College. Lavine, Sexton, and Lemon all agreed that Booker is coming along well, and said when he picks up the system, he will be a solid player.
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