Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Position Breakdown: The Linebackers
4/1/2017 1:00:00 PM | Football
All three starters return
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – If you had to point to one position group that could have an outstanding year defensively for Middle Tennessee, the linebacker corps may be that group.
The reasoning behind the high expectations is the unit may have the most impactful players returning of any defensive position. The Blue Raiders didn't lose any linebackers from last year's team, and four of MT's top eight returning tacklers from a season ago are included in the group.
"They're a really good group of guys," linebackers coach David Bibee said. "There are different guys getting shots and everyone is working really hard so far."
Led by team-leading tackler junior Chris Melton (102 in 2016), the Blue Raiders return four guys who have started in a linebacker spot at least seven games. The others include senior leader D.J. Sanders (his 38 career games played are second on the team), redshirt senior Myles Harges and redshirt junior Darius Harris.
Those four backers aren't the only ones who are hoping to have terrific seasons. Redshirt sophomore Khalil Brooks (11th on team with 38 tackles in 2016) and senior Malik Hawkins (23 tackles in 11 games played in 2016) are also hoping to make an impact and provide depth at the position.
The mix of guys with a lot of experience, some with something to prove and other newcomers has created some added competition so far this spring. It's also given Bibee a chance to utilize on-the-field teachers.
"Whenever you have people there they can see, it's so much better than trying to coach from ground zero where they don't have anybody to emulate," he said. "Anytime you have guys back like that, it makes it better for teaching."
The success of the linebackers in 2017 could come down to how well and how quickly they pick up new defensive coordinator Scott Shafer's attacking 4-3 defense and how well they mesh with Bibee, who is moving from coaching safeties to linebackers this season.
So far, things have been coming together nicely, according to Sanders.
"We're all getting together and things are going well so far," the senior said. "We're not where we want to be. We have work to do still but that is what the spring is all about."
Here are some headlines from the linebacker group:
Key losses: None
Key returners: DJ Sanders, Darius Harris, Chris Melton, Myles Harges, Malik Hawkins, Khalil Brooks
Key newcomers: Chaton Mobley, DQ Thomas
Players to watch: Khalil Brooks, Shalom Alvarez
Roster:
16 Khalil Brooks [5-11, 204, R-So.]
30 Darius Harris [6-2, 220, R-Jr.]
31 D.J. Sanders [6-0, 230, Sr.]
32 Chris Melton [6-1, 207, Jr.]
33 Myles Harges [6-2, 226, R-Sr.]
38 Malik Hawkins [6-1, 223, Sr.]
39 Dale Craig [6-0, 218, So.]
41 Caleb Felton [6-1, 198, R-Fr.]
-- Shalom Alvarez [6-3, 220, R-Jr.]
-- Jon Carrothers [6-0, 215, R-So.]
-- Cain McWilliams [6-1, 236, Fr.]
-- Chaton Mobley [6-1, 245, Fr.]
-- AJ Scott [5-11, 228, R-Fr.]
-- DQ Thomas [6-2, 200, Fr.]
-- Tavares Thomas [6-0, 235, Jr.]
The reasoning behind the high expectations is the unit may have the most impactful players returning of any defensive position. The Blue Raiders didn't lose any linebackers from last year's team, and four of MT's top eight returning tacklers from a season ago are included in the group.
"They're a really good group of guys," linebackers coach David Bibee said. "There are different guys getting shots and everyone is working really hard so far."
Led by team-leading tackler junior Chris Melton (102 in 2016), the Blue Raiders return four guys who have started in a linebacker spot at least seven games. The others include senior leader D.J. Sanders (his 38 career games played are second on the team), redshirt senior Myles Harges and redshirt junior Darius Harris.
Those four backers aren't the only ones who are hoping to have terrific seasons. Redshirt sophomore Khalil Brooks (11th on team with 38 tackles in 2016) and senior Malik Hawkins (23 tackles in 11 games played in 2016) are also hoping to make an impact and provide depth at the position.
The mix of guys with a lot of experience, some with something to prove and other newcomers has created some added competition so far this spring. It's also given Bibee a chance to utilize on-the-field teachers.
"Whenever you have people there they can see, it's so much better than trying to coach from ground zero where they don't have anybody to emulate," he said. "Anytime you have guys back like that, it makes it better for teaching."
The success of the linebackers in 2017 could come down to how well and how quickly they pick up new defensive coordinator Scott Shafer's attacking 4-3 defense and how well they mesh with Bibee, who is moving from coaching safeties to linebackers this season.
So far, things have been coming together nicely, according to Sanders.
"We're all getting together and things are going well so far," the senior said. "We're not where we want to be. We have work to do still but that is what the spring is all about."
Here are some headlines from the linebacker group:
Key losses: None
Key returners: DJ Sanders, Darius Harris, Chris Melton, Myles Harges, Malik Hawkins, Khalil Brooks
Key newcomers: Chaton Mobley, DQ Thomas
Players to watch: Khalil Brooks, Shalom Alvarez
Roster:
16 Khalil Brooks [5-11, 204, R-So.]
30 Darius Harris [6-2, 220, R-Jr.]
31 D.J. Sanders [6-0, 230, Sr.]
32 Chris Melton [6-1, 207, Jr.]
33 Myles Harges [6-2, 226, R-Sr.]
38 Malik Hawkins [6-1, 223, Sr.]
39 Dale Craig [6-0, 218, So.]
41 Caleb Felton [6-1, 198, R-Fr.]
-- Shalom Alvarez [6-3, 220, R-Jr.]
-- Jon Carrothers [6-0, 215, R-So.]
-- Cain McWilliams [6-1, 236, Fr.]
-- Chaton Mobley [6-1, 245, Fr.]
-- AJ Scott [5-11, 228, R-Fr.]
-- DQ Thomas [6-2, 200, Fr.]
-- Tavares Thomas [6-0, 235, Jr.]
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