09/02/10- Devon Kennard, So, Southern Cal, 6-3, 255 PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Devon Kennard - The sophomore beat out incumbent Chris Galippo for the starting spot in fall camp. He will play in the middle, flanked by returning starters Malcolm Smith and Michael Morgan.
09/02/10- Chris Galippo, rJr, Southern Cal, 6-2, 250 In one of USC's highest-profile position battles, sophomore Devon Kennard won the starting middle linebacker spot over Chris Galippo. Kennard has previously played defensive end and outside linebacker. Galippo will back up all three linebacker spots in a thin linebacker corps.
09/02/10- Devon Kennard, So, Southern Cal, 6-3, 255 BREAKOUT STAR: LB Devon Kennard - The sophomore showed talent at defensive end and outside linebacker last season, including having eight tackles against Arizona in only his third game at linebacker. Kennard, who was moved to middle linebacker in the spring, will continue to wage a fierce position battle with junior Chris Galippo. Kennard's skills and versatility ensure key playing time, even if he's not the starter.
09/02/10- Stephen Roberts, rFr, Middle Tennessee State, 6-3, 229 NEWCOMER TO WATCH: LB Stephen Roberts - Taking a redshirt season as a freshman has worked out well for Roberts. Even though he didn't play last season, he was moved to No. 1 on the depth chart at middle linebacker for spring ball. Roberts impressed the coaches so much he ended spring drills being named the "most improved" linebacker.
09/02/10- Hayes Pullard, Fr, Southern Cal, 6-2, 220 Freshman LB Hayes Pullard (knee) is likely to redshirt. The Trojans aren't very deep at linebacker, so Pullard had a chance to possibly contribute as a backup and special teams player.
09/02/10- Rodney Paulk, rSr, South Carolina, 6-0, 226 MLB Rodney Paulk was knocked out for the season with a knee injury in the 2009 opener against North Carolina State. After sitting out spring practice, he is scheduled to open the season as the starter at middle linebacker.
09/02/10- Mario Harvey, rSr, Marshall, 5-11, 248 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The front seven is solid, but pass defense has been an issue for a few seasons in succession. All-Conference USA linebacker Mario Harvey and linemen Michael Janac and Vinny Curry will be challenged by Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor, a deep and versatile Buckeyes attack, and a veteran line. Marshall was among the worst in Division I last season against the pass, and the Herd lost two starters during the offseason after both were arrested and Holliday dismissed them from the team. PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Mario Harvey is considered one of the top linebackers not only in Conference USA, but also in the country. The 6-foot Harvey is on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
09/02/10- Korey Williams, rJr, Southern Miss, 6-2, 234 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Golden Eagles might have the strongest front seven in Conference USA. Tackle Anthony Gray and linebacker Korey Williams are preseason all-conference picks and end Cordarro Law is a constant threat to quarterbacks. The defensive backfield was among the nation's worst last season
09/02/10- Mario Harvey, rSr, Marshall, 5-11, 248 Mario Harvey's nickname is "Thumper." He's only 6-foot, but he will pack a wallop. He is one of 70 players on the Lombardi list, including one of four from Conference USA. Jonathan Goddard was a finalist in 2004 for the Herd.
09/02/10- Mario Harvey, rSr, Marshall, 5-11, 248 Marshall linebacker Mario Harvey and tight end Lee Smith have been chosen for Preseason All-Conference USA honors. Harvey, who is on both the Bronko Naguruski and Rotary Lombardi Award watch lists, led the Herd with 117 tackles and seven sacks last season, earning All-Conference USA first team honors. Smith, a C-USA honorable mention selection last year, had 23 catches with 335 yards for Marshall.
09/02/10- Tyson Gale, Jr, Marshall, 6-3, 234 On the most recent depth chart, junior Tyson Gale will start at middle linebacker for Marshall, while returning starter Kellen Harris has dropped to third team because of injuries.
09/02/10- Casey Matthews, Sr, Oregon, 6-1, 245 MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: LB Casey Matthews - The senior gets the nod for his leadership and experience on defense. He is entering his third season as the starting middle linebacker, and he was second on the team last season with 81 tackles. The son of NFL great Clay Matthews Sr., he always seems to be in the right place on the field.
09/02/10- Carmen Messina, rJr, New Mexico, 6-2, 222 THIS WEEK'S GAME: New Mexico at Oregon, Sept. 4 -- The Lobos have shown to be a more athletic bunch that understands their schemes much better than during coach Mike Locksley's first year in 2009. A trip to Autzen Stadium, however, may not make that improvement evident. The Lobos must find a way to stay healthy during their opening three games, at Oregon and then home against Texas Tech and Utah, to compete a less grueling midseason schedule. KEYS TO THE GAME: Third down was the bane of UNM's existence on both offense and defense last season. The Lobos were under a 25-percent conversion rate on offense and allowed more than a 50-percent conversion rate on defense throughout the first half of the season before showing improvement. New Mexico's defense has to get off the field on third down and sustain drives on offense and eat clock to have any chance to stay with Oregon.
09/02/10- Pat Lazear, Sr, West Virginia, 6-0, 237 MLB Pat Lazear was lucky to avoid serious injury when he was leg-whipped in the knee during camp. He did not play in the closing scrimmage but is expected back.
09/01/10- Manti Te'o, So, Notre Dame, 6-2, 244 PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Manti Te'o - Only a sophomore, but he's become the leader of the Notre Dame defense, taking over an inside linebacker position in a new 3-4 scheme. He had 63 tackles as a true freshman last season.
09/01/10- Anthony McDonald, rSo, Notre Dame, 6-2, 230 ILB Anthony McDonald, a projected starter, is considered questionable for the opener against Purdue and could play as a backup. He has been out with a hyperextended knee.
09/01/10- Luke Kuechly, So, Boston College, 6-3, 225 PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Luke Kuechly - The ACC defensive rookie of the year has shifted to the middle. "It's going to be fun, it's going to be exciting," said Kuechly. "I'm a little more comfortable this year, which I think will help. I just have to stay mentally tough. As long as you stay with the team and try to get better and learn from what the coaches are telling you, you might not be as good as last year but the things that go unnoticed are the things that will help you grow."
09/01/10- Jared Norton, rSr, Texas, 6-3, 245 The Longhorns are shuffling through a variety of players as they search for a short-yardage fullback. Inside linebackers Ryan Roberson, Jared Norton and Jordan Hicks are among those who have auditioned.
09/01/10- Andre Morris, Jr., Sr, Air Force, 6-3, 235 SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Air Force lost defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter to Texas A&M this offseason, but the Falcons think that new coordinator Matt Wallerstedt will pick up right where DeRuyter left off. The scheme hasn't changed much. The Falcons will still be an aggressive unit that likes to take some chances and force turnovers. The secondary, which gave Houston fits in the Armed Forces Bowl last year, should be excellent. The front seven has some talent, but there is some uncertainty at inside linebacker and the rotation on the defensive line is still being sorted out.
09/01/10- Michael Sipili, rSr, Colorado, 6-1, 250 PLAYERS TO WATCH: LB Michael Sipili - Considered one of the hardest hitters on the team, the fifth-year senior will attempt to fulfill expectations. His checkered career included a suspension for a fight with another student and his eventual suspension from the team after a promising freshman season.
09/01/10- Ken Lamendola, rSr, Air Force, 6-2, 232 Backup LB Ken Lamendola, who would be a starter if healthy, has been very slow to heal from a knee injury. There has been no timetable set for his return.
09/01/10- Greg Jones, Sr, Michigan State, 6-1, 235 Michigan State's All-American linebacker Greg Jones is glad he put his dreams of playing in the NFL on hold. "The real world hasn't kicked in yet," Jones said Tuesday. "I'm so happy to be back." The Spartans are pretty fired up about it, too. They'll need the Jones-led defense to play much better than it did last year, especially against the pass, to complement what seems to be a solid offense to have any hope of reaching their goal of winning the Big Ten title for the first time in two decades. "He's special," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit wishes Jones was gone so he didn't have to figure out a way to block him Saturday at Spartan Stadium in the season opener for both teams. "They've got the best linebacker in the country, and one of the better ones I've seen in my career," Cubit said. "He's just relentless. Pass-rushing wise, he's outstanding. He's always trying to get to the football. He's a scary guy and a big problem." Dantonio said the only linebacker he's seen up close as good as Jones was former Ohio State star Chris Spielman, adding he has been encouraged by his quest to keep improving. "He's added almost 15 pounds of good solid weight and he's much improved in pass coverage," Dantonio said. "As a pass rusher, he's pretty good." The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Jones, whose talents are touted at the website gregjones53.com that was set up by the school, has 15 1/2 sacks in three seasons. Sacking quarterbacks is fun, he admits, but he wants to knock down more of their passes and make an interception for the first time in his career. "It's very important because you have to be versatile to be a great player," Jones said. - AP Sports
09/01/10- Michael Mauti, rSo, Penn State, 6-2, 232 Linebacker U. will have a new look this year. Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman and Josh Hull have left Penn State for the NFL, as has solid middle linebacker Jose Hull. But unlike the drama this preseason over the 19th-ranked Nittany Lions' starting quarterback job, there hasn't been nearly as much fuss about the linebackers. It may take twice the number of players to fill the jobs performed by last season's trio - for good reason, in coach Joe Paterno's mind. "We've got at least five, maybe six kids that are good athletes who can be good linebackers," the Hall of Fame coach said this week. "I think (the) linebacker situation should be one of our stronger spots." The depth chart lists Nathan Stupar, Chris Colasanti and Bany Gbadyu as the starters for the season opener Saturday versus Youngstown State. All three have had extensive playing time as backups, especially Stupar and Gbadyu. But they may be looking over their shoulders all year to check when they'll be replaced. Sophomore Michael Mauti, thought to be the next big-time 'backer at Penn State, is back at 100 percent after missing 2009 with a right knee injury. He's behind Stupar on the depth chart at strongside linebacker. Another touted sophomore, converted safety Gerald Hodges, backs up Gbadyu at the other outside position, with redshirt freshman Michael Yancich the second-stringer behind Colasanti in the middle. - AP Sports
09/01/10- Martez Wilson, rJr, Illinois, 6-4, 250 PLAYERS TO WATCH: MLB Martez Wilson - It seems like a million years ago that this redshirt junior came out of Chicago's Public League with a five-star reputation. Wilson missed all but the season opener last year as he suffered a herniated disc in his neck against Missouri, yet played through the pain and numbness. He underwent surgery and missed most of the spring, but he's raring to go and prove himself.
09/01/10- Grant Fleming, Sr, Louisiana-Lafayette, 6-3, 220 LB Grant Fleming not only finished second on the team in tackles last year with 89 stops (68 in the last eight games), he led the team in forced fumbles with three, which tied for second-most in the Sun Belt. With an interception to go along with them, he was responsible for four takeaways for the Cajuns.
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