Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Spring Position Update: Linebackers
4/1/2019 3:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Since Siriki Diabate joined Middle Tennessee's coaching staff as linebackers coach in 2017, he's been gifted with talented, experienced backers that the defense has leaned on.
This year's linebacking corps should be no different.
Though 2018 All-Conference USA First Team member Darius Harris graduated and left a void in the middle, plenty backers return in the form of redshirt seniors Khalil Brooks and Chris Melton, junior DQ Thomas, senior Avery Jones and redshirt sophomore Cody Smith.
Harris' departure will be tough for the Blue Raiders to overcome. But, the guys returning should be able to step in and lead, particularly Brooks and Thomas on the weak and strong sides, respectively.
"Khalil and DQ have played a lot of football for us," Diabate said. "They'll be a good compliment for our guys in the middle, and it will kind of take some pressure off them.
"Darius was a good player and good leader for us. Obviously, those are some big shoes to fill."
Luckily, Diabate and the Blue Raiders have experience filling the middle spot successfully.
At this point last season, they were tasked at finding a replacement for D.J. Sanders, who played 51 games for MT in his career. Harris, who started 10 games in 2017 on the weak side, moved over to the middle in the fall and stuck.
The Blue Raiders are mainly rotating Jones and Smith in the middle during spring drills. Jarek Campbell and Cain McWilliams are also seeing solid time, while Melton is limited all spring and sophomore Wayne Parks is out.
Incoming freshmen linebackers Raquon Hartley, Andrew Leak and Ronnin Wright will be on campus this summer.
Here are some of the linebackers to watch this spring:
Khalil Brooks, R-Sr., 5-11, 206
DQ Thomas, Jr., 6-2, 215
Cody Smith, R-So., 6-2, 222
Avery Jones, Sr., 6-1, 234
Chris Melton, R-Sr., 6-1, 208
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
This year's linebacking corps should be no different.
Though 2018 All-Conference USA First Team member Darius Harris graduated and left a void in the middle, plenty backers return in the form of redshirt seniors Khalil Brooks and Chris Melton, junior DQ Thomas, senior Avery Jones and redshirt sophomore Cody Smith.
Harris' departure will be tough for the Blue Raiders to overcome. But, the guys returning should be able to step in and lead, particularly Brooks and Thomas on the weak and strong sides, respectively.
"Khalil and DQ have played a lot of football for us," Diabate said. "They'll be a good compliment for our guys in the middle, and it will kind of take some pressure off them.
"Darius was a good player and good leader for us. Obviously, those are some big shoes to fill."
Luckily, Diabate and the Blue Raiders have experience filling the middle spot successfully.
At this point last season, they were tasked at finding a replacement for D.J. Sanders, who played 51 games for MT in his career. Harris, who started 10 games in 2017 on the weak side, moved over to the middle in the fall and stuck.
The Blue Raiders are mainly rotating Jones and Smith in the middle during spring drills. Jarek Campbell and Cain McWilliams are also seeing solid time, while Melton is limited all spring and sophomore Wayne Parks is out.
Incoming freshmen linebackers Raquon Hartley, Andrew Leak and Ronnin Wright will be on campus this summer.
Here are some of the linebackers to watch this spring:
Khalil Brooks, R-Sr., 5-11, 206
- Second Team All-C-USA in 2017 and 2018
- 2018: 68 tackles (fifth on team), 14.5 TFLs (tied first), 6.5 sacks (second), 14 hurries (first)
DQ Thomas, Jr., 6-2, 215
- Honorable Mention All-C-USA in 2018
- 2018: 70 tackles (tied for third on team), 14.5 TFLs (tied first), 8 sacks (first)
Cody Smith, R-So., 6-2, 222
- Played 12 games in 2018 at linebacker after moving from safety in offseason
- 22 tackles and one tackle for loss
Avery Jones, Sr., 6-1, 234
- Played in 12 games and had one start in 2018 (Georgia)
- Transferred from Golden West College
Chris Melton, R-Sr., 6-1, 208
- Missed 10 games in 2018 due to injury
- Led team with 102 tackles in 2016
- Limited in spring drills while recovering from injury
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
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