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Tracking the Enemy: Big 12 LB depth a point of concern for Baylor

June 2, 2017
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Continuing a look at Baylor’s conference foes, here are the linebacker corps that should give the Bears the biggest headaches.

9. Texas Tech

Tech’s linebacker has been the cleanup crew for awhile now and it’s been the same story against Baylor (and everyone else). Even though players like Jordyn Brooks have been in the top ten tacklers, it’s simply out of necessity and sheer volume of attempts. Still, Kliff Kingsbury has attracted some good juco talent with the likes of Dakota Allen and Tony Jones.

8. Kansas

This ranking hinges on what form former running back Joe Dineen returns to the field. He’s coming back from a season-ending hamstring injury as a junior. In 2015, Dineen had 86 tackles, ranked 10th in the Big 12 thanks to playing cleanup for the rest of the front seven. The rest of the crew remains a mystery but Dineen’s ability should be up to par with his previous outings.

7. Iowa State

It’s quite the state of the Cyclones linebackers when a converted quarterback may be the best athlete. Joel Lanning is an interesting player full of potential at MIKE but the surrounding pieces in Willie Harvey and Reagan Northrup are even greater question marks.

6. Kansas State

Bill Snyder, The Purple Wizard of the Midwest, has always churned out strong backers despite low recruiting rankings, so this is a ranking based more on potential. Snyder did magic with Elijah Lee last season, moving him from pass rushing responsibilities to the MIKE with All-Big 12 success. Now a similar process is being done with Trent Tanking while Sam Sizelove and Jays Kirby round out the group outside.

5. West Virginia

Turning down an offer from Ohio State, Brendan Ferns was one of the most overlooked recruits in 2016 and after a knee injury, he’s even more unknown to most fans. But as a two-way player in high school, he has elite athleticism that’s hard to ignore and could be a breakout player working alongside senior Al-Rasheed Benton.

4. Oklahoma

In the previous defensive line ranking, linebacker Ogbonnia “Obi” Okoronkwo was included because of his edge rushing role so if he’s also considered a linebacker, the Sooners are higher on the list. But there’s still talent in the middle in Norman. During Caleb Kelly’s recruiting process, I thought he was the next big thing and showed that potential throughout 2016 and spring ball. There’s speed all around and should be able to contest Baylor’s tight ends better than most schools.

3. Oklahoma State

The Pokes are replacing some big names like Jordan Burton but this is still a mightily strong group with the likes of Chad Whitener, the team’s top returning leading tackler. It remains to be seen who can replace Burton’s coverage ability but early signs from practice, it looks like Justin Phillips. He’s a speedy linebacker that’s more of a defensive back-hybrid that can also rush the line much like OU’s Eric Striker from a couple years back.

2. TCU

There’s a crazy amount of depth here thanks to injury woes in the past that have moved players around. Just look at Sammy Douglas. He enters 2017 as a backup but was once considered one of the Frogs’ best defenders before an injury in 2015. It’s Ty Summers and Travin Howard’s combined 251 tackles (the most in the conference) from last season that is most menacing. 

1. Texas

Malik Jefferson. I’d like to end the conversation there with the All-American-to-be but forgetting to mention Breckyn Hager (Bryce Hager’s little brother) and Anthony Wheeler would be a mistake. Jefferson had some down moments as a freshman last season but had a season-high nine tackles while adding a sack against Baylor last season. His five-star ceiling has only heightened Tom Herman holding the clipboard, as have Hager and Wheeler’s potentials under a linebacker-savvy coach.
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Tracking the Enemy: Big 12 LB depth a point of concern for Baylor

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