2017 Preview - Linebackers

Post Reply
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

Linebackers are some of the most versatile of the defensive players. They are often called upon to help block runners, act as pass defense by deflecting short passes and low-thrown balls, and to put pressure on the QB to force a throw or get a sack.

Our LBs currently on the roster are:
#35 Senior Adam Brott
#44 Senior Brett Taylor
#39 Junior Quentin Moon
#47 Junior Michael Bischoff
#50 Junior Pete Swenson
#58 Junior Riggs Baxter
#37 Sophomore Zach Glisan
#40 Sophomore CJ Weydeman
#59 Sophomore Tom Rehfeld
#27 R. Freshman Tre Hendon

Seniors
ImageImage

Juniors
ImageImageImageImage

Sophomores
ImageImageImage

Redshirt Freshmen
Image

Of those players, here’s who played last year and their stats:
Brett Taylor: 134 tackles, 94 solo, 8.5 for loss, 4 sacks, 1 interception
Quentin Moon: 88 tackles, 46 solo, 6 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception
Riggs Baxter: 52 tackles, 30 solo, 12 for loss
Pete Swenson: 33 tackles, 22 solo, 6 for loss, 2 sacks
Adam Brott: 19 tackles, 15 solo, 3 for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception
Michael Bischoff: 7 tackles, 5 solo
Tom Rehfeld: 2 solo tackles

Obviously the big name of the LBs for us is Senior Brett Taylor who was 3rd in the entire FCS in tackles (12.2 per game) and #1 in the FCS in solo tackles (8.5 per game). I’d imagine that we’re likely to see a similar performance again this year and hopefully, if all goes well, he could become the first Macomb High graduate to play in the NFL.
The others listed will likely contribute quite a bit as well, and should get even more playing time this year with the switch from the 4-3 (3 LB on the field) to 3-4 (4 LB on the field).

It will also be interesting to see what kind of contributions that Redshirt Freshman Tre Hendon will make now that he is eligible to get on the field. He was a very athletic player in HS, scoring TDs from passing, receiving, rushing, kickoff return, and a defensive score...playing both sides, mostly as a RB and LB.

Ben Hodges and Deion Melvin are in charge of coaching the Linebackers.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

Speaking of Brett Taylor...apparently him and his HS teammate and friend (and former Iowa Cyclone O-Lineman) Nick Severs, were working with a local kids football camp yesterday:

[tweet][/tweet]
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

Story/interview about Brett on WGEM TV last night:
Taylor Made: WIU linebacker sets gold standard in Macomb
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

New addition at Linebacker...

Lavall McNulty, Jr. - 6'3" 205lb Sophomore from Crete, IL (by way of St. Joseph's College, which closed completely after this last spring semester).
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

Not at all suprising, but Brett Taylor has been added to the Buck Buchanan (best defensive player in the FCS) watch list:
http://goleathernecks.com/news/2017/8/4 ... -list.aspx
Image
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
meganeck
Posts: 1895
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 10:23 pm

I just noticed this and maybe it was mentioned somewhere else, but I didn't see it mentioned here. Justin Corbett who played LB last year for WIU is now at Central Michigan. His bio on Central Mich. said he graduated in spring of 2017, so must be doing the grad transfer thing.
Anyway they play Western Michigan tonight on ESPN2 if anybody is interested in watching.
User avatar
ST_Lawson
Site Admin
Posts: 8247
Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 1:15 pm
Location: Macomb, IL
Contact:

meganeck wrote: Wed Nov 01, 2017 11:29 am I just noticed this and maybe it was mentioned somewhere else, but I didn't see it mentioned here. Justin Corbett who played LB last year for WIU is now at Central Michigan. His bio on Central Mich. said he graduated in spring of 2017, so must be doing the grad transfer thing.
Anyway they play Western Michigan tonight on ESPN2 if anybody is interested in watching.
Somehow I completely missed that, I think.
Corbett played in 10 games for us last season, recording 9 tackles, 2 for loss, and had a fumble recovery.
I'd have to imagine that he saw how Taylor, Moon, and the other guys were doing and knew that he wasn't likely to play much for us.

Corbett has 8 tackles for CMU so far, playing in 7 games.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
rocki
Posts: 1510
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:08 pm

I see Brett Taylor has been named MVFC Defensive Player of the Year. Congrats, Brett!!!!
Post Reply