Projecting the Depth Chart at Linebacker

Kyle B. has already looked at most of the preseason defensive depth charts. You can see those here:

• Safeties
• Cornerbacks
• Defensive line

The final series of depth chart projections belongs to the middle of the defense — the linebacker corps. Last season, this group was decimated by injuries to starter Ryan Simmons and comes into this year missing their veteran presence Seth Jacobs after his retirement, too. But there’s a lot of young talent in this group and with several up-and-comers, the depth appears to be pretty solid heading into the season.

Here’s how we have things shaking out at the moment.

MLB1: Chad Whitener (R-Jr.)

Whitener and Jordan Burton are the anchors of the middle of this defense. That wasn’t a great thing last year as Whitener admitted he started playing sooner than he would have liked, but he should be a stalwart this season.

“When you’re going against fast pace, you might know a check in the meeting room,” Glenn Spencer told the Oklahoman. “If you can’t spit it out on the field, in fractions of seconds, you’re in trouble. That’s something Ryan could do. And Chad couldn’t do it. Chad is so much better now.”

MLB2: Josh Mabin (R-So.)

Only played in a handful of games last season as he backed up Ryan Simmons and then Chad Whitener, but he’s a former four-star recruit (ESPN) and was the No. 21 outside linebacker in the country according to Scout. So there’s a pedigree there that means something. I’m hopeful that Spencer is able to hit the refresh button more often on defense this year, and guys like Mabin and this next fellow should help.

MLB3: Justin Phillips (R-So.)

A personal favorite of mine after what he did in that 2014 game in Norman. Phillips sat out last season with a redshirt (which he probably should have taken his freshman year, but OSU wasn’t deep enough), and should see some quality playing time at a position rife with studs.

Star1: Jordan Burton (R-Sr.)

Is Jordan Burton criminally underrated? He might be. Second on the team last season in tackles and played injured for much of the year. One of the 2-3 defensive players who could legitimately sniff an All-American honor.

Star2: Kevin Henry (R-Fr.)

Henry is a cousin of Brandon Bass (former LSU and NBA basketball player). He came to OSU after de-committing from LSU and took a redshirt in 2015. Henry is super versatile and won’t be scared to lay some wood (see below).

Star3: Calvin Bundage (Fr.)

One of only a handful of freshmen who could see time this year. I’m stoked.

WLB1: Devante Averette (R-Sr.)

This is where it gets interesting. No starter has been named (or even presumed) at outside linebacker. The three candidates are Devante Averette, Gyasi Akem and Henry (who should see time at the Star position as well as this one).

“Big battle there,” Spencer told the Oklahoman. “Big battle goin on. I’m going to have to make a tough decision.”

WLB1: Gyasi Akem (Jr.)

Another personal favorite of mine. Akem is a monster at 6’2 230 lbs. Akem only had nine tackles in each of his first two seasons, but that’s obviously going to change. I’m mildly surprised he’s in the mix to usurp Averette given Averette’s seniority and maturity, but this also speaks to how much deeper OSU is at LB than in years past.

WLB1: Kevin Henry (R-Fr.)

As I mentioned above, he’s really versatile. Spencer said when he first came in that Star was the spot for him so the fact that he’s even up for consideration here tells you how much the coaching staff thinks of him.

Summary

Another guy to watch is Kirk Tucker who will again factor in on special teams and could get some run at LB depending on the injury situation.

When did OSU get so deep on defense? Between the safeties (crazy deep), defensive tackles (deepest position on the team?) and defensive ends (young but super deep), it’s a smorgasbord of talent. Linebacker is another position this season that should be rich with talented young players. And to think, one of its presumed starters from last season (Seth Jacobs) retired in the offseason. I’m excited to see how Spencer develops these guys and how Whitener leads a group that should probably be better than last year.