Linebacker alley

Defenders - Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Leonard TaylorSt. Louis Battlehawks - Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Pheldarius PayneMichigan Panthers - Ole Miss Rebels defensive end Isaac UkwuSan Antonio Brahmas - USF Bulls offensive tackle Donovan JenningsBirmingham Stallions - TCU Horned Frogs running back Emani BaileyROUND 4Memphis Showboats - Holy Cross Crusaders wide receiver Jalen CokerHouston Roughnecks - Florida International Panthers linebacker Donovan ManuelArlington Renegades - Oregon Ducks defensive tackle Popo AumavaeD.C. Defenders - San Diego State Aztecs offensive tackle Garret GreenfieldSt. Louis Battlehawks - Vanderbilt Commodores offensive lineman Bradley AshmoreMichigan Panthers - Eastern Michigan Eagles offensive tackle Brian DooleySan Antonio Brahmas - Utah Utes cornerback Miles BattleBirmingham Stallions - Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Isaiah WilliamsROUND 5Memphis Showboats - UConn Huskies defensive end Eric WattsHouston Roughnecks - Kansas State Wildcats offensive lineman Hayden GillumArlington Renegades - North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Amari GainerD.C. Defenders - Michigan Wolverines defensive end Braiden McGregorSt. Louis Battlehawks - UCLA Bruins linebacker Carl Jones Jr.Michigan Panthers - Northern Illinois Huskies quarterback Rocky LombardiSan Antonio Brahmas - James Madison Dukes defensive end Jamree KromahBirmingham Stallions - Colorado State Rams tight end Dallin HolkerROUND 6Memphis Showboats - Oklahoma Sooners center Andrew RaymHouston Roughnecks - Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Malcolm EppsArlington Renegades - Air Force Falcons running back Bo RichterD.C. Defenders - Arizona Wildcats running back Michael WileySt. Louis Battlehawks - Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Isaiah CoeMichigan Panthers - Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Dayton WadeSan Antonio Brahmas - Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Lideatrick GriffinBirmingham Stallions - Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Trajan JeffcoatROUND 7Memphis Showboats - Temple Owls linebacker Yvandy RigbyHouston Roughnecks - Oklahoma State Cowboys linebacker Xavier BensonArlington Renegades - Oregon Ducks defensive tackle Taki TaimaniD.C. Defenders - Toledo Rockets linebacker Dallas GantSt. Louis Battlehawks - Limestone Saints wide receiver Jelani BakerMichigan Panthers - Florida State Seminoles safety Akeem DentSan Antonio Brahmas - Maryland Terrapins safety Beau BradeBirmingham Stallions - TCU Horned Frogs offensive tackle Andrew CokerROUND 8Memphis Showboats - Maryland Terrapins cornerback Ja’Quan SheppardHouston Roughnecks - Texas Tech Red Raiders cornerback Rayshad WilliamsArlington Renegades - North Carolina Tar Heels offensive tackle Spencer RollandD.C. Defenders - Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis JacobsSt. Louis Battlehawks - South Dakota State Jackrabbits wide receiver Jadon JankeMichigan Panthers - UTEP Miners center Andrew MeyerSan Antonio Brahmas - Tulane Green Wave center Sincere HaynesworthBirmingham Stallions - South Carolina Gamecocks wide receiver Ahmarean BrownROUND 9Memphis Showboats - Tennessee Volunteers tight end McCallan CastlesHouston Roughnecks - Texas Tech Red Raiders cornerback Malik DunlapArlington Renegades - Southern Miss Golden Eagles center Briason MaysD.C. Defenders - Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner MordecaiSt. Louis Battlehawks - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets cornerback Myles SimsMichigan Panthers - Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman J.D. DuplainSan Antonio Brahmas - Kent State

Think that’s a really important spot in your defense, because it’s like an anchor, it’s like a sideboard,” Smart said at his Tuesday press conference. “It’s like once I put this rock here (you aren’t going to move it). Mo (Smith) was just kind of steady; he didn’t play much anywhere else because he just played there.”It seems counterintuitive to take a player with a hybrid skill set and lock him into one role, but that should speak to the abundance of roles that the position must occupy.In Smart’s defense at Georgia, like the one he helped build at Alabama, the STAR position is used as a sub for the SAM linebacker. The reason is that a SAM linebacker is likely a liability in pass coverage against a slot receiver.Instead of playing a true nickel defense, however, and replacing that linebacker with a fifth defensive back, who might be a weak link against the run, the STAR position is utilized. The STAR should have the quickness to cover the slot, sound tackling ability and can rush the passer when needed.Some coordinators look for different skill sets when filling this role. Grantham preferred hybrid linebacker/safety types like Alec Ogletree and Josh Harvey-Clemons, whereas Smart is more apt to take a player with truer defensive back qualities.Smith (pictured below) was an ideal player for Smart to use in his first season, and he was a veteran who could help teach the intricacies of the pass defense while fully understanding one of the most important roles on Georgia’s defense.Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY SportsNow that Smith is gone, Smart has a few players in mind for the STAR position.“The way we’re practicing, Tyrique (McGhee) is really our STAR,” Smart said on Tuesday. “But he’s on a split field when we split them up, so

Of offensive linemen KJ Hallums and Jordan Kernaghan. Both could potentially see the field early. I am concerned about the lack of depth in this class. I’m not sure they addressed some weaknesses on the defensive line and they need to hope that their junior college additions in the secondary are ready to play.Air ForceDon’t take it personally, Falcon fans. Placements are based on average ranking, not potential. According to 247 sports, the Falcons have 66 commits and that number is likely much higher. The truth is, most of these recruits will never see the field. The headliner of the class is linebacker Seth McFarland. You look at this kid and you think Air Force linebacker. McFarland is the prototypical Falcon linebacker; he isn’t very tall, but he is fast and physical. They also made a notable addition at the EDGE position in Kyle Kaya. It is always interesting to see who ends up making it into the academy and who is left looking for a new home. New MexicoWhen the majority of your recruits were originally committed to your FCS program, you can’t expect much when it comes to rankings. The hope for this class needs to be that Jason Eck is an expert in finding under-the-radar talent and developing them into great players. Athlete CJ Mcbean is the headliner of this class with an 86 ranking. Offensive tackle Marko Luera could end up being the top player in this class. If he can put on 15 pounds, he

Like the Falcons were running run-pass options and Bazelak was able to sneak throws behind Penn State defenders. Fortunately for Penn State, this seems like more of a blip on the radar than a real long-term issue.Potential injury issues: The Nittany Lions were without two key players for the majority of Saturday’s game. Star safety K.J. Winston went out in the second quarter and did not return. It’s worth noting that he also did not have his helmet on the sideline. If he were to miss any time it could be significant for a defense that has elite players at the top of the safety depth chart but almost no depth behind them.Tight end Andrew Rappleyea was listed as out on the availability report and was on crutches on the sideline during the game. While head coach James Franklin said he couldn’t provide more information on the injury, it’s never a good sign when a player is on crutches on game day. Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas stops Bowling Green’s Jaison Patterson during the game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Abby Drey [email protected] Linebacker depth: This issue could be quelled by a personnel shift by defensive coordinator Tom Allen, but for now the team’s depth at linebacker is severely lacking. The Nittany Lions have Tony Rojas and Kobe King as impact players who can start in Allen’s 4-2-5 defense, but beyond those two there isn’t a lot to write home about for right now. Dom DeLuca and Tyler Elsdon have

Million contract, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.March 10: The Patriots are paying up for Milton Williams, agreeing to a four-year, $104 million contract with New England that makes him the highest-paid player in franchise history, per The MMQB’s Albert Breer.March 10: The Patriots are signing veteran right tackle Morgan Moses to a three-year deal worth $24 million, NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reports.March 10: New England is adding cornerback Carlton Davis III on a three-year contract worth $60 million, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.March 10: The Patriots are signing linebacker Robert Spillane to a three-year deal worth $37 million, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.March 10: Davon Godchaux is on the move. The Patriots are trading the veteran defensive tackle to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick, per multiple reports.March 9: The Patriots are bringing back tight end Austin Hooper on a one-year, $5 million contract that has a maximum value of $7 million, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.March 9: The Patriots are signing linebacker Harold Landry to a three-year contract worth $43.5 million with $26 million guaranteed, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports. Landry can earn up to $48 million if he reaches certain incentives, per Pelissero.March 9: A premium wide receiver target is off the board, as the Los Angeles Rams are signing Pro Bowler Davante Adams to a two-year contract worth $46 million, per NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.March 6: The Patriots plan to tender restricted free agent linebacker Christian Elliss at $3.3 million, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler