2017 Preview - Linebackers

[ST_Lawson]

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


Juniors


Sophomores


Redshirt Freshmen


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.

[ST_Lawson]

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]

[ST_Lawson]

More about Brett: http://www.foxsports.com/college-footba ... nse-071017

[ST_Lawson]

Story/interview about Brett on WGEM TV last night:
Taylor Made: WIU linebacker sets gold standard in Macomb

[ST_Lawson]

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).

[ST_Lawson]

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

[ST_Lawson]

Short Q&A with Brett: http://www.chicagonow.com/prairie-state ... inebacker/

[meganeck]

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.

[ST_Lawson]

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.

[rocki]

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