Who Will Step up and Replace Josh Mabin at Middle Linebacker?

Oklahoma State and Josh Mabin received saddening news this week as Mabin, a third year player from Klein Oak High School, announced he has been diagnosed with a heart condition that will keep him from playing the game.

Mabin was the No. 2 player on the depth chart at middle linebacker, behind returning starter Chad Whitener. And with Mabin retiring from football, another linebacker in his same recruiting class should get their chance.

Justin Phillips, another class of 2014 player like Mabin, played sparingly in 2014 and was one of the stars of the Bedlam victory in Norman two seasons ago. In his true freshman year, he recorded 18 total tackles — 10 of those coming in the Bedlam upset.

With the returning depth OSU had last season at linebacker, Phillips had the ability to redshirt as a sophomore, and comes into this season fresh, now likely to backup Chad Whitener in the middle.

Listed at 6-0, 235-lbs. on the OSU roster, Phillips should be the player most impacted by Mabin’s retirement, and will likely see a hefty amount of playing time in the rotation in the middle of the defense this season.