How will our LB's perform this year?

[Archer2]

A question for those who know the team better than I do? How do you think our LB's will perform this year, both as a group and individually? I know we lost Rashad and Schoettmer to graduation and that's a lot of experience. But am I right in believing that we'll be a little more athletic and quicker to the ball than we were last year? Linebacker is my favorite position in football and it's been a while since we've had a dominant LB at UNC. Wouldn't it be great to have another LT on campus?

 

[TarHeelNation11]

A question for those who know the team better than I do? How do you think our LB's will perform this year, both as a group and individually? I know we lost Rashad and Schoettmer to graduation and that's a lot of experience. But am I right in believing that we'll be a little more athletic and quicker to the ball than we were last year? Linebacker is my favorite position in football and it's been a while since we've had a dominant LB at UNC. Wouldn't it be great to have another LT on campus?

More athletic and quick, yes probably. Better performing than Rashad and Schoettmer? Well, that's the $64,000 question and will be one of the keys to our season.

I don't think anyone knows what to expect from our LB play this season. It's truly a question mark....could be anywhere from a major weakness to somewhat of a strength on defense.. Of course, it will be linked to how much the DL improves. It will be very interesting to see who wins spots at the end of fall camp and takes the field as starters against UGA. Several guys in the mix. Don't forget about juco transfer J.B. Copeland! I'm interested to see how much time he gets on the field.

I know that's not an answer to your question, but really there isn't an answer. IMO, LB is the most difficult position group to predict how well or poorly they'll perform. DL is second. DBs will be a strength, but it's not a great position for your defense to be in -- having a great secondary while also having major question marks in the front seven.

 

[WoadBlue]

I think Andre Smith is the key. If he steps up as he can, taking control effectively, the LB corps can be sound. I look for him to make some big plays.

 

[blazers]

i just read that Andre tore is pec during the tire pull competitions early spring, hence the reason why he hasn't done any practice til the start of this camp. Hopefully he didn't lose too much conditioning.

I'm a bit worried about our D vs uga. Drennon still isn't practicing. Andre Smith missed all spring, Cole Holecomb is green and we're starting a rookie in our nickel packages.

Jeremiah Clarke missed all spring and came back 10 pounds lighter.

 

[grillheel]

Not a LB, but is Mike Hughes back? He's listed on the roster.
ETA: not listed on the roster on go heels, but is listed by rivals.

 

[randman1]

i just read that Andre tore is pec during the tire pull competitions early spring, hence the reason why he hasn't done any practice til the start of this camp. Hopefully he didn't lose too much conditioning.

I'm a bit worried about our D vs uga. Drennon still isn't practicing. Andre Smith missed all spring, Cole Holecomb is green and we're starting a rookie in our nickel packages.

Jeremiah Clarke missed all spring and came back 10 pounds lighter.

Feel the same way. Heck of a first game to come back from injuries and face a team that loves to run the football. Hopefully Chizik plans to bring up the safetys a little more to help out.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Not a LB, but is Mike Hughes back? He's listed on the roster.
ETA: not listed on the roster on go heels, but is listed by rivals.

No, he's gone. Junior college.

 

[grillheel]

No, he's gone. Junior college.

Ok that's pretty much what I thought but didn't know if I had missed something.

 

[matt 1976]

I think that Andre Smith and Cayson Collins will be solid, if our DL improves and can command a double team here and there. If our DL can't get off blocks and keep the OL off of our inexperienced LBs, then we are going to give up a ton of points. The 3rd LB position is a major question mark for me. Unfortunately, I think that we are going to see a pretty significant dropoff in play at that position this year. But, if we get much better along the DL, then this 3rd LB spot won't be exposed as much.

 

[JimmyinVA]

i honestly believe they're going to be GREAT. chizik is ready to make a splash and establish himself as a premier coach and these LB's are a big reason why. GO HEELS!!

 

[randman1]

I think that Andre Smith and Cayson Collins will be solid, if our DL improves and can command a double team here and there. If our DL can't get off blocks and keep the OL off of our inexperienced LBs, then we are going to give up a ton of points. The 3rd LB position is a major question mark for me. Unfortunately, I think that we are going to see a pretty significant dropoff in play at that position this year. But, if we get much better along the DL, then this 3rd LB spot won't be exposed as much.

I don;t know about that, Holcomb may well shine. Just because he was a walk-on doesn't mean squat if he has the chops. Schoettmer was a walk-on as well.

 

[matt 1976]

I don;t know about that, Holcomb may well shine. Just because he was a walk-on doesn't mean squat if he has the chops. Schoettmer was a walk-on as well.

I didn't intend for my comments to sound like I was trying to take a shot at Holcomb. My point is that he very well could turn out to be the next Schoettmer, but he is definitely limited athletically. There is a reason that the coaches decided to go the JuCo route and brought in Copeland. It will be very interesting to see who is playing that 3rd LB position by the 2nd half of this year. I would assume that Holcomb would get the nod against UGA, because he has the most experience and knows the system.

 

[WoadBlue]

I didn't intend for my comments to sound like I was trying to take a shot at Holcomb. My point is that he very well could turn out to be the next Schoettmer, but he is definitely limited athletically. There is a reason that the coaches decided to go the JuCo route and brought in Copeland. It will be very interesting to see who is playing that 3rd LB position by the 2nd half of this year. I would assume that Holcomb would get the nod against UGA, because he has the most experience and knows the system.

Lack of depth is the main reason we wanted a JuCo LB. Even if Holcomb were projected by Chizik to be as sound as Shoettmer was in leading the team in tackles, we still needed another LB with age and experience.

I do think the staff felt that Copeland could start and certainly would get a lot of PT even if he couldn't crack the starting lineup.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Lack of depth is the main reason we wanted a JuCo LB. Even if Holcomb were projected by Chizik to be as sound as Shoettmer was in leading the team in tackles, we still needed another LB with age and experience.

I do think the staff felt that Copeland could start and certainly would get a lot of PT even if he couldn't crack the starting lineup.

It will be interesting to monitor how much playing time the backup LBers get this season. Check the participation charts from last season.....Papuchis uses a pretty tight rotation. I.E. He plays the starters, and the backups don't see much time. Now, of course Andre Smith was an exception last year. I like how we groomed him during the season.

This year, Papuchis' philosophy could get tested because there are stud-in-the-making LBers like Jonathan Smith who may not be starters, but their skill level will demand that they get some snaps.

 

[randman1]

I didn't intend for my comments to sound like I was trying to take a shot at Holcomb. My point is that he very well could turn out to be the next Schoettmer, but he is definitely limited athletically. There is a reason that the coaches decided to go the JuCo route and brought in Copeland. It will be very interesting to see who is playing that 3rd LB position by the 2nd half of this year. I would assume that Holcomb would get the nod against UGA, because he has the most experience and knows the system.

Got ya. Some are talking of J Smith starting at some point this year so both Smiths would on the field at the same time. If that's the case, wonder which LB position he'd take. He's ideal for the middle linebacker but so is Andre and he appears to have that locked down.

So either he'd start over Cayson Collins or Holcomb.

 

[Archer2]

It will be interesting to monitor how much playing time the backup LBers get this season. Check the participation charts from last season.....Papuchis uses a pretty tight rotation. I.E. He plays the starters, and the backups don't see much time. Now, of course Andre Smith was an exception last year. I like how we groomed him during the season.

This year, Papuchis' philosophy could get tested because there are stud-in-the-making LBers like Jonathan Smith who may not be starters, but their skill level will demand that they get some snaps.

I hope this is the case, for two reasons. It will mean the young guys are deserving of more time and probably be an indication the the DL is playing a little better. To say our DL and LB's are going to be severely tested against a ground heavy team like Georgia would be an understatement.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I hope this is the case, for two reasons. It will mean the young guys are deserving of more time and probably be an indication the the DL is playing a little better. To say our DL and LB's are going to be severely tested against a ground heavy team like Georgia would be an understatement.

Yep they sure will be. Chubb has been practicing and will be 100% or close to it by game time.

...and now, reports are coming out that Michel is practicing despite still being in a cast. There's a good chance both will be back.

 

[Archer2]

Yep they sure will be. Chubb has been practicing and will be 100% or close to it by game time.

...and now, reports are coming out that Michel is practicing despite still being in a cast. There's a good chance both will be back.

Good, I want their best game because I want a accurate gauge as to how far we've come and how much more we need to improve upon in order to run with the big dogs, or in this case, to see if we can keep the Dawgs from running all over us.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Good, I want their best game because I want a accurate gauge as to how far we've come and how much more we need to improve upon in order to run with the big dogs, or in this case, to see if we can keep the Dawgs from running all over us.

As would I. If we win, it's already going to be tainted a bit (in the eyes of the media and CFP Playoff Committee) because of UGA's QB situation. Either UGA will run out Grayson Lambert who won't be the starter by week 6, or they'll start the kid Eason and the talk will be "well, that was Eason's FIRST game."

So I definitely want Chubb and Michel back.

 

[Archer2]

Another site projecting Smith as a breakout player for UNC this year. I look for him to have an outstanding year.

Andre Smith, LB, #10; Sophomore


"Andre Smith will be starting at the linebacker position during the 2016 season. Smith was a true freshman in 2015. He entered the Russell Athletic Bowl game with 50 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, one interception and one pass breakup.

Last season, Smith came up big when it counted. In the 26-19 win over Pittsburgh, Smith had a career-high 11 tackles, including six solo tackles. In the 45-34 win over North Carolina State, Smith finished the game with nine tackles (five solo tackles) and one interception."

 

[Archer2]

Jonathan Smith also listed as on of the five possible breakout players for the upcoming season. Wouldn't it be nice if they both had breakout seasons?

"Jonathan Smith, LB #7; Freshman
Jonathan Smith hails from Laurinburg, North Carolina. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker enters UNC with an impressive resume as a high school player, earning All-State twice in his career. But now he’s ready to breakout for the Tar Heels.

Yes, he is a newcomer.

However, true freshman Jonathan Smith is two-time Southeastern 4-A Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He is No. 2 on North Carolina’s depth chart at linebacker behind Andre Smith.

The departures of Shakeel Rashad and Jeff Schoettmer leaves a void at the linebacker position. Someone will have the opportunity to emerge as a star. Both Andre Smith and Jonathan Smith are poised to fill in for Rashad and Schoettmer."

 

[Archer2]

I've seen different UNC depth charts with entirely different predictions. Of these two I was able to find, which seems most accurate to you guys? Or are neither of them accurate or is it too early to even know with any certainty? The only thing these two have in common is that both have Collins starting at the SLB spot and A. Smith at the MLB spot. I think the second one is a little more accurate, right?


SLB 23 Collins, Cayson JR/2 36 Holcomb, Cole RS SO/1

MLB 10 Smith, Andre SO/1 52 Pettway, Kemmi RS JR

WLB 4 Artis, Allen JR/2 25 Bonilla, Ayden RS SO/1


SLB 23 - Cayson Collins (6-1, 235, Jr ) 25 - Ayden Bonilla (6-2, 225, So )

MLB 56 - Andre Smith (6-0, 240, So ) 7 - Jonathan Smith (6-1, 235, Fr )

WLB 36 - Cole Holcomb (6-1, 220, Jr ) 41 - J B Copeland (6-3, 225, Jr )

 

[randman1]

The 2nd seems to be the accurate one.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

All I can say is, join premium. A.J. is all over the LB situation. It is still very much in flux though. Nothing is set in stone. It's a big question mark for this year's team.

 

[randman1]

One thing our LBs will have going for them is a much improved D-line. Naz Jones and Dalton are both at tackle at the same time, everyone healthy starting out, guys having more experience and coaching and looks like the freshman Dunlap is a beast.

Apparently Powell has had this injury since high school and after surgery is considerably more mobile. Wouldn't be surprised he plays outside. Fox looks like he's ready to see the field as a freshman, and Bart said Carney had really come along.

I don't think the D-line is going to get pushed around like they did with Baylor, and that's going to be huge for the LBs.

 

[HeelFan58]

As would I. If we win, it's already going to be tainted a bit (in the eyes of the media and CFP Playoff Committee) because of UGA's QB situation. Either UGA will run out Grayson Lambert who won't be the starter by week 6, or they'll start the kid Eason and the talk will be "well, that was Eason's FIRST game."

So I definitely want Chubb and Michel back.

I don't think the QB situation taints the game at all for us. Lambert played a hell of a lot more last year than Trubisky. QB recruiting is a "them" problem. I mean Eason is talked about as a generational college QB.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

I don't think the QB situation taints the game at all for us. Lambert played a hell of a lot more last year than Trubisky. QB recruiting is a "them" problem. I mean Eason is talked about as a generational college QB.

I'm just telling you how it will be framed. But the Trubisky factor would be great evidence for us to counter with, for sure.

 

[randman1]

I'm just telling you how it will be framed. But the Trubisky factor would be great evidence for us to counter with, for sure.

Doesn't matter. If the press dismisses it, our players won't have and could actually work for us psychologically. It's a big game against a major football program in the SEC. We need to end all the talk about not winning the big games and beating a SEC team and program where 10 win seasons can still get you fired IS a big deal.

 

[tarheel0910]

Also need GA to have a good year as well. Obviously I would have liked to beat SC last year, but we wouldn't have received a lot of credit for it because they were so bad. If we beat GA and they finish 2-10, it won't matter. I seriously doubt that would happen, but we need to pull for them after that first game.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

Also need GA to have a good year as well. Obviously I would have liked to beat SC last year, but we wouldn't have received a lot of credit for it because they were so bad. If we beat GA and they finish 2-10, it won't matter. I seriously doubt that would happen, but we need to pull for them after that first game.

One good thing is we also have FSU on the schedule. As long as one of those two does well, we'll be okay. If UGA finishes like 9-3 and FSU finishes with 10 wins and we beat both, we'd be made in the shade.

 

[randman1]

Also need GA to have a good year as well. Obviously I would have liked to beat SC last year, but we wouldn't have received a lot of credit for it because they were so bad. If we beat GA and they finish 2-10, it won't matter. I seriously doubt that would happen, but we need to pull for them after that first game.

True but the main thing is we win.

 

[HeelFan58]

Chizk says he has "no concerns" about linebackers and feels really good about them. He commented on the athleticism of Smith , Smith and Collins as well as Holcomb. The commentators pointed out how important that is this early in the season. Chizk said the important thing is scoring defense and not yardage. This is from a S#o#t podcast.

 

[heelfan1961]

I think our Linebackers will be just fine. Collins, A Smith and Holcomb have some experience and J Smith has impressed the coaches from day 1 and has benefit of being here since January. I think one thing that has given me some optimism is that Copeland who has experience playing college ball and played for a great HS in Texas at highest level hasn't been able to come in and take over a spot. I think it shows we do have some talent and guys are going to have to really push themselves to force coaches to play them and if not there are definitely others who will. I think the Smith's are going to be really good and great with more experience and will end up playing some together especially against heavy running teams.

 

[Archer2]

I have a feeling our LB's are going to be a strength of this team. If our DL can stay healthy, our defense will take a significant step forward.

 

[randman1]

I didn't intend for my comments to sound like I was trying to take a shot at Holcomb. My point is that he very well could turn out to be the next Schoettmer, but he is definitely limited athletically. There is a reason that the coaches decided to go the JuCo route and brought in Copeland. It will be very interesting to see who is playing that 3rd LB position by the 2nd half of this year. I would assume that Holcomb would get the nod against UGA, because he has the most experience and knows the system.

Why do you say he's limited athletically? This is a comment about him from Andre Smith, quoted from 247.

" "A lot of people don't know about him because he's a walk-on," true sophomore Andre Smith said. "But really he's really a freak athlete. A lot of people don't know. 38-inch vert. I think he broad jumped like a 10-2. The 5-10-5 (shuttle) in a 4.0 flat. He's really a good athlete. I guess people just don't know. He works really hard. He power cleans almost 400-pounds. He's smart with playbook. Cole's going to make a lot of plays for us this year." "

A "freak athlete"?

 

[Archer2]

Why do you say he's limited athletically? This is a comment about him from Andre Smith, quoted from 247.

" "A lot of people don't know about him because he's a walk-on," true sophomore Andre Smith said. "But really he's really a freak athlete. A lot of people don't know. 38-inch vert. I think he broad jumped like a 10-2. The 5-10-5 (shuttle) in a 4.0 flat. He's really a good athlete. I guess people just don't know. He works really hard. He power cleans almost 400-pounds. He's smart with playbook. Cole's going to make a lot of plays for us this year." "

A "freak athlete"?

Yeah, certainly doesn't sound like he's limited athletically.

In an interview with Gene, he was specifically asked what concerns he had about our LB's. He was very frank and said he really didn't have any concerns. He said that Rashad and Schoettmer had been good leaders and good players for us but that he was excited about the group of young men he had at that position.

He also said the team's grasp of the defense was night and day compared to last year when they were just installing it. I think the guys will be playing more instinctively this year as they won't have to be thinking as much and can just react. With increased athleticism in the LB corp, that should translate to being faster to the ball. Nothing in football I like better than to see LB's swarm to the ball and I think we'll see more of that this year.

He also talked about how much Dalton improved in a short period of time and starting him alongside Naz to get our biggest, most physical guys on the DL. If our somewhat thin DL can stay healthy, I look for our run defense to be improved. And it needs to be because it was our biggest weakness last year. I think it will largely determine whether we win the Georgia game or not, and to a large extent, whether we can play for the league title.

 

[heelfan1961]

I think our DLine will be much better. Jones and Dalton is strong 1st unit and then with Clarke, Dinkins, Crawford and Dunlap we have good backups. Being able to use Powell across the line is helpful and will help us with him being able to play some DE especially against more run oriented teams. We will have a little more flexibility at DE position to have more physical guys or speed guys depending on the situation. I also think same thing applies for linebackers and the Smith's just seem like they will be really tough run stoppers and then we can use others in different situations. I do think finding a reliable 3rd corner will be our biggest issue and if we do find one then our secondary will be really, really good if not great.

 

[Archer2]

I'm really high on our secondary. We have a good combination of hitters and coverage guys. I'm not afraid to leave our corners on an island and depend on them to make a play. That's a nice luxury for a defensive coordinator to have. And while we have some guys that can come up and play run support, I'm hoping they aren't required to make so many tackles in the second layer of our defense this year. That would mean our DL and our LB's are defending the run better.

 

[blazers]

I think our DLine will be much better. Jones and Dalton is strong 1st unit and then with Clarke, Dinkins, Crawford and Dunlap we have good backups. Being able to use Powell across the line is helpful and will help us with him being able to play some DE especially against more run oriented teams. We will have a little more flexibility at DE position to have more physical guys or speed guys depending on the situation. I also think same thing applies for linebackers and the Smith's just seem like they will be really tough run stoppers and then we can use others in different situations. I do think finding a reliable 3rd corner will be our biggest issue and if we do find one then our secondary will be really, really good if not great.

considering how much we got gashed for rushing yardage, i have trouble commending the DLine much. Potential is there, but you gotta be experienced, talented AND deep to be good.

The fact that we brought in a JUCO LB makes me wonder how the coaches truly feel regarding Ayden Bonilla, Allen Artis, Collins, Holcomb, Hunter Crafford, Jonathon Sutton. I suspect that weren't comfy with the quality of depth that these guys provided.

 

[randman1]

Besides the 3rd corner, looks like the biggest question mark may be at the DE positions.

Is Drennon still injured?

Will Bart be able to step up his game against more elite talent?

Strowbridge was a 4-star recruit listed in the top 300 players by some. Is he going to emerge?

Powell being able to play outside should help. Kind of wonder if Allen Cater, though a true freshman, might play this year. Fox may play this year and not redshirt but he's not at the size so much for heavy run offenses.

Bottom line, we need to see DE play emerge in a big way to stop the run, and just not sure we're there yet at that position.