The big discussion entering the 2019 season was the LB group. That discussion then led to panic through the first game. Gone were Tranquil and Coney, and they were being replaced by first time starters Drew White at Mike, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah at Rover. Bilal who started alongside Tranquil and Coney was now asked to move inside where a player needs to depend more on instincts and quick reads rather than just athletic ability like Bilal had done previously.
Fast forward to the end of the 2019 season and newcomer Drew White, who tied for the team lead in tackles with 80, also had 8 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Sharing the team lead in tackles was another newcomer JOK, who added 13.5 TFL's and 5.5 sacks. Not far behind was Bilal, who was the second leading tackler with 79 and also posted 10 TFL's. Not bad production out of a group that had so little experience, and who many thought would never start a game in their careers at those spots with the exception of JOK.
ND had a relatively young LB group in 2018, and it signed 4 additional LB's in the 2019 class, so passing on additional players for the 2020 class was certainly an option. I agreed with the decision to pass unless a complete stud fell into our laps, which it didn't, so time to move onto the 2021 class.
I understand that there could be position changes, defections, and maybe one player leaving early before his eligibility runs out, but this is how I see it at the moment based on a class size of 20.
Below, I've listed what position I think that each will play, along who will start, and the number of years of eligibility left starting in the 2021 season.
MIKE:
Drew White (1)
Bo Bauer (1)
Shayne Simon (1)
JD Bertrand (3)
I've always been high on Drew White, and I'm glad that he could finally stay healthy, and prove that I wasn't crazy when I said he should be the starter in 2019. I expect him to hold onto that role throughout his career barring injury.
One only needs to watch Bo Bauer on special teams to get an idea of his speed and aggressiveness. He needs to prove that he can make the right decisions at the LOS for his career to take off and push for reps with White.
Shayne Simon in my eyes still has much to prove, and unfortunately he won't get it this spring to show it. He's a guy that could play either of the ILB spots.
Bertarnd is another guy that I really liked. I think of a thicker version of Drew White, and a guy to take over that spot when his time comes.
BUCK:
Jack Lamb (2)
Marist Liufau (3)
Osita Ekwonu (3)
Jack Lamb did a nice job in the role he was asked to play last year, but with both ILB's playing at a high level, he was used primarily on passing downs in coverage. I think Lamb is too big and too talented not to earn a starting role. His skill set fits at either ILB spots, but I like him more at Buck because of his ability to run things down. He'll sit out the spring too, which is a tough blow for his development.
Marist Liufau was still under 215lbs to start the 2019 season, and although he may be the best play maker out there, he needs to add at least 20lbs. He may get there in the 2020 season, but for sure see him doing that in 2021.
Osita Ekwonu is a guy that I think will have the size to compete at Buck in 2020, and he'll get his chance along with Liufau because both Lamb and Simon will be out. Perfect opportunity for both.
ROVER:
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (1)
Paul Moala (1)
Jack Kiser (3)
JOK is the biggest "IF" on the team going into the 2021 season. For starters, will he even be here?
Secondly, could the staff move him inside for that season, much like they did with Tranquil to have him better prepare for the NFL while keeping an All-American on the roster? Big Question.
Paul Moala proved that he could play last year, but will he stay at Rover?
I know that people are high on Jack Kiser, but I'd like to actually watch him play first before I give him the "Rover in waiting tag."
That's 10 players who will be on the roster in 2021, and based on that, I believe the top priority is to find a Rover. Next will be someone that can play Mike. We need a minimum of 2, and based on how recruiting goes with spots available, possibly 3. If the staff can find a top player that has the ability to play either ILB spots at a high level, then I'd be more inclined to take 2.
Fast forward to the end of the 2019 season and newcomer Drew White, who tied for the team lead in tackles with 80, also had 8 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Sharing the team lead in tackles was another newcomer JOK, who added 13.5 TFL's and 5.5 sacks. Not far behind was Bilal, who was the second leading tackler with 79 and also posted 10 TFL's. Not bad production out of a group that had so little experience, and who many thought would never start a game in their careers at those spots with the exception of JOK.
ND had a relatively young LB group in 2018, and it signed 4 additional LB's in the 2019 class, so passing on additional players for the 2020 class was certainly an option. I agreed with the decision to pass unless a complete stud fell into our laps, which it didn't, so time to move onto the 2021 class.
I understand that there could be position changes, defections, and maybe one player leaving early before his eligibility runs out, but this is how I see it at the moment based on a class size of 20.
Below, I've listed what position I think that each will play, along who will start, and the number of years of eligibility left starting in the 2021 season.
MIKE:
Drew White (1)
Bo Bauer (1)
Shayne Simon (1)
JD Bertrand (3)
I've always been high on Drew White, and I'm glad that he could finally stay healthy, and prove that I wasn't crazy when I said he should be the starter in 2019. I expect him to hold onto that role throughout his career barring injury.
One only needs to watch Bo Bauer on special teams to get an idea of his speed and aggressiveness. He needs to prove that he can make the right decisions at the LOS for his career to take off and push for reps with White.
Shayne Simon in my eyes still has much to prove, and unfortunately he won't get it this spring to show it. He's a guy that could play either of the ILB spots.
Bertarnd is another guy that I really liked. I think of a thicker version of Drew White, and a guy to take over that spot when his time comes.
BUCK:
Jack Lamb (2)
Marist Liufau (3)
Osita Ekwonu (3)
Jack Lamb did a nice job in the role he was asked to play last year, but with both ILB's playing at a high level, he was used primarily on passing downs in coverage. I think Lamb is too big and too talented not to earn a starting role. His skill set fits at either ILB spots, but I like him more at Buck because of his ability to run things down. He'll sit out the spring too, which is a tough blow for his development.
Marist Liufau was still under 215lbs to start the 2019 season, and although he may be the best play maker out there, he needs to add at least 20lbs. He may get there in the 2020 season, but for sure see him doing that in 2021.
Osita Ekwonu is a guy that I think will have the size to compete at Buck in 2020, and he'll get his chance along with Liufau because both Lamb and Simon will be out. Perfect opportunity for both.
ROVER:
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (1)
Paul Moala (1)
Jack Kiser (3)
JOK is the biggest "IF" on the team going into the 2021 season. For starters, will he even be here?
Secondly, could the staff move him inside for that season, much like they did with Tranquil to have him better prepare for the NFL while keeping an All-American on the roster? Big Question.
Paul Moala proved that he could play last year, but will he stay at Rover?
I know that people are high on Jack Kiser, but I'd like to actually watch him play first before I give him the "Rover in waiting tag."
That's 10 players who will be on the roster in 2021, and based on that, I believe the top priority is to find a Rover. Next will be someone that can play Mike. We need a minimum of 2, and based on how recruiting goes with spots available, possibly 3. If the staff can find a top player that has the ability to play either ILB spots at a high level, then I'd be more inclined to take 2.
