Post Spring Football Team Review: The Linebackers

	Sammy Douglas	6-3	195	LB	FR	Arlington, Texas	Arlington High School
	Paul Whitmill	5-11	205	LB	FR	Bastrop, Texas	Bastrop High School
	Dac Shaw	6-2	200	LB	FR	Mineola, Texas	Mineola High School
41	Jonathan Anderson	6-3	220	LB	JR	Corpus Christi, Texas	Carroll High School
47	Paul Dawson	6-2	230	LB	JR	Dallas, Texas	Trinity Valley CC
36	Joel Hasley	6-1	223	LB	JR	Aledo, Texas	Aledo High School
48	Max Newey	6-1	228	LB	SO	Boulder, Colo.	Fairview High School
18	Alex Adewunmi	6-1	210	LB	SR	Dallas, Texas	Eastern New Mexico
54	Marcus Mallet	6-1	227	LB	JR	Cleveland, Texas	Cleveland High School
34	Joey Rowe	5-11	205	LB	RS FR	Phoenix, Ariz.	Brophy College Preparatory
42	Peter Okonofua	6-2	240	LB	JR	Mansfield, Texas	Oklahoma State

Gone is Kenny Cain, leader of the pack and perennial bad ass.

Returning is Paul Dawson, whitest of white guys whose grit seems to continually keep him on top of the depth chart, despite his athleticism being only a slight tick above mine (maybe two ticks).

Going into spring practice, the other LB slot was almost totally up for grabs. Paul Dawson got some time last year, as did Marcus Mallet. Jonathan Anderson was also in line to pick up some playing time. I call this group the "Junior-philes."

Well, the post spring depth chart shows Hasley and Mallet at the top, but I have to think Paul Dawson and incoming freshmen Whitmill, Shaw, and Douglas could play a role at some point in 2013. Probably not right away, as the position is deep enough for TCU to not rush one of these guys, but they will see the field.

My overall opinion of the line backing group has been kinda blah the last few years. We have had talent there, but seemingly not all at once. Carder was great, but often hurt... Cain was great, but played next to Whitey McWhitenstein. This year, we have a cast of characters who are all big, strong and mildly fast, but are they more than that? Hasley knows the schemes and coverages, he hits his holes consistently, Mallet/Dawson are next level physically but aren't on Hasley's level when it comes to the mental side of things. Again, we are disjointed.

But, we are talking about the nations best defense, coached by the nations best LB coach, this is the one spot where I am OK with less than perfect athletes, because I know we will coach em up to average, at least.

Which, to put it another way, is the point: Coming out of spring training, the line backing position is still the weakest unit on defense... But, this weak unit returns one starter, and two guys with extensive playing time, so it is hard to complain too much.