Linebacker: Georgia Tech's Outlook For Next Year

By the way, I intentionally left out the new signees. Do any of them figure to compete this early?

;-) We'll see.

Pure speculation here but I think Burnett's return is doubtful. Hate that cause I love the kid and the way he plays. Hope I'm wrong because he's our best on D and will be sorely missed.

Not to take anything away from Julian Burnett, that guy is just "football player" personified, but due to his size and limited athleticism he was caught in "the wash" a lot when the offensive guards made it to the second level. Our middle linebackers had a hard time covering the middle zones when they were called to cover crossing routes or tight ends coming down the middle.

I REALLY like Tremayne McNair and Jabari Hunt-Day's potential. Nick Menocal played some limited minutes last season on obvious passing downs, and he showed flashes of being a really good player. The 2011 class of LBs will be a special group. If you want to see what all the fuss of the 34 defense is about, wait until the 2011 class of LBs put it together. Those guys are big, athletic, and can RUN. GT fans tend to forget about guys when they redshirt (Vad Lee not included), but the LB group of 2011 is as talented of a position group as GT has ever recruited...in my opinion. I believe you'll start seeing the intricacies and flexibilities of the 34 come out with this group of linebackers. Get ready to see some opposing QBs helped off the field...it's going to be nightmare for the opposition once these LBs get their feet wet.

Jabari picked up a lot of steam when we signed him, but since he redshirted his name has faded away. I think it's time for him to make a statement again. I hope Burnett comes back, but if he doesn't, I think we've certainly got people ready and willing to try to fill his shoes.

Thanks for that, Boomer. If Burnett does not return, it hurts. But this is the third year of the 3-4, which Groh said is required to install it, so some of these LBs better step up if in fact the 3-4 is designed to clear the tackles for them. I'm just excited about the coming season and our recruiting class in general.

It is going to be interesting. Ultimately, we are going to need to upgrade the OLB across from Attaochu. Having another elite pass rusher who can also cover and tackle in space will do wonders for the D. We could probably live with Nealy and Drummond in the middle but I am hoping for the bar to get raised there too. I want a guy in the middle along side Nealy with the heart and tackling ability of Burnett, but the size and agility to be able to knock some passes down over the middle as well. I hear good things about the red shirts but I have never seen them in person. Hopefully they are as good as advertised.

You left out a few guys. At outside linebacker, Brandon Watts is the heir apparent to Sylvester. Brandon has shown flashes of brilliance and like Jeremiah he just needs to sustain the effort over an entire game. We also have Malcolm Monroe who saw some spot playing time at OLB. A guy that might factor in next year is Kyle Travis who played a lot of special teams but has a good motor and great size to play OLB. I would position Marcodes and Cheeks as other possiblilities outside.

I think Julian will be OK. Remember he has a redshirt year if he needs it to get over his injury, but just knowing his personal toughness, unless the doctors tell him he is risking paralysis, I look for him to return. I think Nealy has shown he is a player and will probably get the other starting spot. Behind those two we have a ton of possiblilities starting with Drummond and followed by McNair, Hunt Days and Harrell. Machen is graduating and will not return for next season. In looking at the size and speed of Stargel and Hankins, I think both will get a serious look this fall. I hope Hunt-Days emerges to be the type of player we thought he would be.

I think there is a real possiblity that Synjyn Days could be moved to Outside Linebacker if there is too big a log jam on offense. He has the size and athletic ability to play defense.

In any event, we have a lot of possibilities but basically need to find the 4 meanest SOB's among this group and feed them some raw meat and tell them to go out their and kick somebody's ass.

Go Jackets!

Originally Posted by Jerry the Jacket

You left out a few guys. At outside linebacker, Brandon Watts is the heir apparent to Sylvester. Brandon has shown flashes of brilliance and like Jeremiah he just needs to sustain the effort over an entire game. We also have Malcolm Monroe who saw some spot playing time at OLB. A guy that might factor in next year is Kyle Travis who played a lot of special teams but has a good motor and great size to play OLB. I would position Marcodes and Cheeks as other possiblilities outside.

I think Julian will be OK. Remember he has a redshirt year if he needs it to get over his injury, but just knowing his personal toughness, unless the doctors tell him he is risking paralysis, I look for him to return. I think Nealy has shown he is a player and will probably get the other starting spot. Behind those two we have a ton of possiblilities starting with Drummond and followed by McNair, Hunt Days and Harrell. Machen is graduating and will not return for next season. In looking at the size and speed of Stargel and Hankins, I think both will get a serious look this fall. I hope Hunt-Days emerges to be the type of player we thought he would be.

I think there is a real possiblity that Synjyn Days could be moved to Outside Linebacker if there is too big a log jam on offense. He has the size and athletic ability to play defense.

In any event, we have a lot of possibilities but basically need to find the 4 meanest SOB's among this group and feed them some raw meat and tell them to go out their and kick somebody's ass.

Go Jackets!

Thanks Jerry. How the heck did I forget Watts? It was late and I had an adult beverage in my hands, oh well. You are right, Watts has shown some potential if not a great understanding of his role in the defense. He can not be counted out. He is pretty good in space too but so far has not gotten to the QB as well as I would like.

For some reason, I must have confused Malcolm Munroe with Machen. I thought he was the guy not coming back. Thanks for the correction.

You can view the page at http://gtsportstalk.com/content.php?...-For-Next-Year

Great post, Boomer. With this platform I can easily turn forum posts into "front page" articles. That is what I did with your post.

Slyvester won't be missed -on field.Watts can be better.
If JAtt is not a DOMINANT player this yr at OLB we are dead meat for pass rush.
If Burnett is gone,our DEF on run will not improve AT ALL.He made 50% of tackles at times.
The new LBs will be good(love McNair) but too early next yr.

Watts has been somewhat of a forgotten man this season. Hopefully next season he will step up and fulfill his promise.

Physically he actually fits Groh's 3-4 scheme more than some of the other holdovers.

I think the linebacker play will depend much on the line doing there job. Especially on stopping the run.

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Originally Posted by Jerry the Jacket

I think there is a real possiblity that Synjyn Days could be moved to Outside Linebacker if there is too big a log jam on offense. He has the size and athletic ability to play defense.

Haha, Days & Days? I like it.

I'm excited to see Watts and Nealy this year. J-Att should be improved this year and we'll get to see what Watts and Nealy can do with more PT. The ILB, in my opinion, is a little less clear if Julian is out. Drummond has the size, but he was abused last year in coverage. I'm not sure where they'll line menocal up, but he likes to hit - we saw him lay some people out on ST last year. Hunt-Days gets a lot of talk, but I really haven't seen enough of him to have an opinion. I think we've got some talent waiting in the wings, it's just a matter of when they're ready...

Originally Posted by Boomergump

By the way, I intentionally left out the new signees. Do any of them figure to compete this early?

Know nothing about the 3-4 but given some of the difficulties in adjusting is it fair to say that a freshman linebacker really needs a redshirt year to learn the system?

Originally Posted by Curious

Know nothing about the 3-4 but given some of the difficulties in adjusting is it fair to say that a freshman linebacker really needs a redshirt year to learn the system?

I would think so, given how complicated some of the blitz schemes are and such. Also, I just hope that the returning talent has finally reached a point that it is next to impossible for a rookie to get playing time on the defensive unit. Some may play STs, but hopefully most will RS.

Boomergump - Maybe Drummond played like it was his first year at LB because it WAS his first year at that position for GT. Actually any year, he played DE opposite Cross at Flowery Branch plus FB. I'd say he came on a lot better at the end of the year starting against the mutts and utes plus being the leading tackler in the bowl. Barring further injuries, IMO your LBs are gonna be Attachou, Nealy, Drummond and Menocal. Jabari in the 2 deep plus whoever else proves themselves capable.

thanks for the posts. Nice to read up on 9and learn) what folks with "better vision" and understanding are able to pick up.

I think you are right on about Drummond, I hope he can be a real force at ILB. With the rs lb's coming up this season we will be alot better and deeper than we have been in along time. Imo Jabari will be the best of the group but only time will tell.