University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: Spring Season Rewind: The Linebackers
4/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
By Steven Bartolotta, April 14, 2010, 11:43 a.m.
Now that the spring is basically over (thank goodness, only one more practice left) we thought we would dissect a few positions and who stood out during the spring and what to expect as we head forward into the fall camp, which need I remind you is less than four months away. We move to the defensive side of the ball and the LB's.
Spring Star- Jeremy Phillips - Not only is he sporting a new Andre Agassi like hair, he's working with a lot of confidence under that rug. He's added some weight and with the added competition he has risen to the challenge. Getting some late season experience last year has proven to be a big asset as he is no longer the main whipping boy of Gary DeLoach these days. His speed as a sort of hybrid linebacker/DB will also help him when it comes to defending the pass. And he's following in the footsteps of Hill in that he started out as a DB at North Texas.
Runner Up- Craig Robertson - So solid, so reliable, and with a defense needing a leader to step up, he's the most logical candidate. An all-conference performer, his spring has been just what you would expect from such a player. Robertson will have potentially two new starters next to him this fall in Penson and Phillips, so his performance will be crucial.
Honorable Mention - Forlando Johnson - One of the mid-term transfers, he really has caught people eye with his athletic ability. Johnson is a bit undersized, but he made a number of open field tackles and plays, showing what type of speed he does posses. Getting him here for the spring will give him a leg up when the fall arrives as he will have had a month of practice to learn the system and an entire summer to continue soaking it up.
Fast Forward To The Fall - Right now the starting lineup would be Phillips, Penson, and Robertson. Johnson and newcomer Brad Graham, and Daniel Prior will all battle for playing time. Transfer Julian Herron will also figure into the mix. Prior was hit and miss during the spring. He happened to be on the receiving end of one of the bigger hits when James Hamilton flattened him during some short-yardage work. But he also made some plays in scrimmages. Graham is intriguing because he's a guy that looks like a safety or DB, but it will interesting to see how he works into the rotation. I like what Herron could possibly do, but he might be a year away from a meaningful impact. This unit has the experience, but the question marks are going to be around Phillips and Penson, Can AJ fill the void left by Tobe Nwigwe's departure is the biggest question mark? He must or else the linebackers will have even more questions as the season goes on.
