Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
"Selfless” linebacker core sparks Blue Raider defense
9/21/2022 4:04:00 PM | Football
Six linebackers already have at least eight tackles through three games
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Jalen Davis got his moment under the lights at Floyd Stadium. Dropping back into coverage late in the second quarter, then high pointing a boundary pass for an interception and returning it inside the redzone, setting up Middle Tennessee's final touchdown of the first half against Tennessee State.
Christian Dixon made his mark the week before, with eight tackles, two for a loss and a key forced fumble, as he harassed the Colorado State backfield all afternoon.
Every time you've looked up the past couple of weeks, the Blue Raider linebackers have been there. But not just the veteran starters on the two-deep, Drew Francis, Devyn Curtis, Raquon Hartley, but so many names behind them. Davis, Dixon, Jalen Rayam, all stepping up in a rotation that has kept the linebacking core fresh, while also seeing key production bolster the MTSU defensive front.
"Everybody's getting reps, everybody's going into the game and producing," Curtis said. "There's never really a drop off depending on which group of linebackers is going in."
It's been a credit to the players, linebackers coach Dustin Royston said, that he has to make tough decisions on who starts week in and week out. But even more of a credit, Royston said, to their selfless nature in that he can work everyone in during the games, with not only no drop off, but support from one another for their success.
"They just want to win," Royston said. "They don't care if someone else gets the strip sack or the interception return. I know they want to play more, but I think they're starting to see the dividends that are being paid by being fresh."
Through three games, six of MTSU's linebackers have at least eight tackles, with four of those six having at least 10, led by Dixon and Francis' 15 tackles. Five MTSU linebackers have at least one tackle for a loss, with three (Rayam, Dixon, Davis) having at least two.
For a unit that replaced two starters this season and had a third, Jonathan Butler, go down with a season-ending injury during fall camp, it's been a blessing to see so many different players step up when called upon, a credit Royston gives to the group's willingness to correct their mistakes week to week.
His example was Jalen Davis, who, despite having three tackles for a loss at James Madison, missed several key assignments during the game. Royston told him that week his reps were getting cut down as a result.
"He could've pouted, but he came out here and had his best week of practice since he's been here and I was forced to play him," Royston laughed. "Most of (these guys) are playing about 30 snaps a game, if they're lucky. But their production is really good still, so they're fresh. And they know that when they get a chance to go in there, they're hunting."
Davis went out against CSU and forced a red zone fumble, stopping the only bit of momentum the Rams had in the first half.
"The whole linebacker room, everybody just wants to play," Davis said. "Each player can go out and play at their full potential."
The "MAs", also known as missed assignments, have gone down, thanks to a return to the basics and more of an emphasis on focusing on seeing small things to read the big picture ("See a little, see a lot. See a lot, see nothing," Royston summed up.).
Davis also pointed out that while many of them, both this season and in season's past, are key cogs on the Blue Raiders' various special teams units, playing special teams doesn't require remembering as much as playing linebacker does. With the reps has come the knowledge, Curtis said.
"It's an understanding of what to do and how to do it, and also the productivity," Curtis said. "You see all these guys producing and bringing energy to the field."
The linebackers will face their toughest test of the season this week, as a fast Miami Hurricanes team will challenge their ability to process information quickly. But the group's depth will keep Royston's options open throughout the day, and the productivity everyone has shown he hopes can sustain the group throughout C-USA play.
"We may not have a guy that leads the league in tackles in this group," Royston said. "But group production as a whole, I'd love to compare other linebacker units (at the end of the year)."
Defense was flying all over the field on Saturday 🦅#BLUEnited | #EATT pic.twitter.com/zAFZZpEa9a
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) September 20, 2022
Christian Dixon made his mark the week before, with eight tackles, two for a loss and a key forced fumble, as he harassed the Colorado State backfield all afternoon.
Watch your back 👀@zeekyzeek44 comes from behind to force the fumble! #BLUEnited | #EATT pic.twitter.com/e9EZ9TI8Vl
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) September 10, 2022
Every time you've looked up the past couple of weeks, the Blue Raider linebackers have been there. But not just the veteran starters on the two-deep, Drew Francis, Devyn Curtis, Raquon Hartley, but so many names behind them. Davis, Dixon, Jalen Rayam, all stepping up in a rotation that has kept the linebacking core fresh, while also seeing key production bolster the MTSU defensive front.
"Everybody's getting reps, everybody's going into the game and producing," Curtis said. "There's never really a drop off depending on which group of linebackers is going in."
It's been a credit to the players, linebackers coach Dustin Royston said, that he has to make tough decisions on who starts week in and week out. But even more of a credit, Royston said, to their selfless nature in that he can work everyone in during the games, with not only no drop off, but support from one another for their success.
"They just want to win," Royston said. "They don't care if someone else gets the strip sack or the interception return. I know they want to play more, but I think they're starting to see the dividends that are being paid by being fresh."
Through three games, six of MTSU's linebackers have at least eight tackles, with four of those six having at least 10, led by Dixon and Francis' 15 tackles. Five MTSU linebackers have at least one tackle for a loss, with three (Rayam, Dixon, Davis) having at least two.
For a unit that replaced two starters this season and had a third, Jonathan Butler, go down with a season-ending injury during fall camp, it's been a blessing to see so many different players step up when called upon, a credit Royston gives to the group's willingness to correct their mistakes week to week.
His example was Jalen Davis, who, despite having three tackles for a loss at James Madison, missed several key assignments during the game. Royston told him that week his reps were getting cut down as a result.
"He could've pouted, but he came out here and had his best week of practice since he's been here and I was forced to play him," Royston laughed. "Most of (these guys) are playing about 30 snaps a game, if they're lucky. But their production is really good still, so they're fresh. And they know that when they get a chance to go in there, they're hunting."
Davis went out against CSU and forced a red zone fumble, stopping the only bit of momentum the Rams had in the first half.
🚨 BALL IS LOOSE 🚨
— Middle Tennessee FB (@MT_FB) September 10, 2022
Recovered by the Blue Raiders! pic.twitter.com/eHUF3AMZ28
"The whole linebacker room, everybody just wants to play," Davis said. "Each player can go out and play at their full potential."
The "MAs", also known as missed assignments, have gone down, thanks to a return to the basics and more of an emphasis on focusing on seeing small things to read the big picture ("See a little, see a lot. See a lot, see nothing," Royston summed up.).
Davis also pointed out that while many of them, both this season and in season's past, are key cogs on the Blue Raiders' various special teams units, playing special teams doesn't require remembering as much as playing linebacker does. With the reps has come the knowledge, Curtis said.
"It's an understanding of what to do and how to do it, and also the productivity," Curtis said. "You see all these guys producing and bringing energy to the field."
The linebackers will face their toughest test of the season this week, as a fast Miami Hurricanes team will challenge their ability to process information quickly. But the group's depth will keep Royston's options open throughout the day, and the productivity everyone has shown he hopes can sustain the group throughout C-USA play.
"We may not have a guy that leads the league in tackles in this group," Royston said. "But group production as a whole, I'd love to compare other linebacker units (at the end of the year)."
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