2009 Football Roster Analysis l LB
Updated: 8.14.09
Click position icons above to get current detailed positional analysis
Full Roster / Coaches |
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| # |
Name |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Cl. |
Hometown |
Exp. |
RS |
| 22 |
Jamar Chaney |
6-1 |
240 |
SR. |
Fort Pierce, Fla. (St. Lucie West Centennial) |
 |
|
| 33 |
Jamie Jones |
6-0 |
240 |
SO. |
Springdale Ark. (Springdale) |
 |
|
| 34 |
K.J. Wright |
6-4 |
245 |
JR. |
Olive Branch, Miss. (Olive Branch) |
 |
|
| 44 |
Bo Walters |
6-0 |
235 |
SO. |
Wilsonville, Ala. (Briarwood Christian) |
|
|
| 45 |
Mike Hunt |
6-3 |
240 |
RFR. |
Meadville, Miss. (Franklin County) |
 |
|
| 49 |
Terrell Johnson |
6-2 |
215 |
SO. |
Cullomburg, Ala. (Southern Choctaw) |
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|
| 50 |
Chris White |
6-3 |
245 |
JR. |
Vancleave, Miss. (Miss. Gulf Coast CC) |
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| 51 |
Deontae Skinner |
6-1 |
240 |
TFR. |
Macon, Miss. (Macon HS) |
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| 52 |
Karlin Brown |
5-8 |
200 |
JR. |
Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln) |
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| 56 |
Tyler Gregory |
5-10 |
210 |
RFR. |
Terry, Miss. (Jackson Prep) |
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| 58 |
Brandon Wilson |
6-0 |
240 |
RFR. |
Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Northridge) |
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| 64 |
Mark Lynn |
6-0 |
225 |
JR. |
Madison, Miss. (Madison Central) |
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| Total # of Players: 12 |
| FR. |
4 |
SO. |
3 |
JR. |
4 |
SR. |
1 |
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| 2009 Spring Positional Analysis |
While the 2009 MSU football edition is lacking talent and experience in some areas, the same does not hold true for the Bulldog linebackers' corps.
The Bulldogs do lose starter Dominic Douglas and veteran Anthony Littlejohn. But the rest of the linebackers return, including 2007 leading tackler Jamar Chaney.
The 2009 linebackers possess 23 combined starting calls despite Chaney playing just one game last year.
And at mid-semester, the linebackers welcomed juco All-American Chris White to the fold for spring practice. |
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| 2009 Spring Player Analysis |
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6-1 |
240 |
SR. |
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| High School Rankings: |
|
ESPN |
74 |
Rivals |
 |
Scout |
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| Year |
T
|
TFL
|
-yds
|
FF
|
INTs
|
| 2009 |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2008 |
12
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2007 |
89
|
4
|
7 |
0 |
0 |
| 2006 |
66
|
7.5
|
27 |
1 |
0 |
| Career |
167
|
11.5
|
34 |
1 |
0 |
 |
The fifth-year senior saw his 2008 campaign end as quickly as it started. Chaney suffered a broken leg in the 2008 season opener but has since fully recovered. Which means good news for MSU fans in 2009. Chaney, who led the team with 89 tackles in 2007, could slide to the outside this season but that is a move yet to be determined by the new staff. Chaney was a permanent fixture at middle linebacker in 2006 and 2007 and is now up to 245 pounds. While his talen speaks for itself, Chaney also brings another level of leadership that is much-needed on this year's squad. |
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6-0 |
235 |
SO. |
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| High School Rankings: |
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ESPN |
75 |
Rivals |
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Scout |
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| Year |
T
|
TFL
|
-yds
|
FF
|
INTs
|
| 2009 |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2008 |
9
|
2
|
6.5 |
0 |
0 |
| Career |
9
|
2
|
6.5 |
0 |
0 |
|
During the 2008 preseason, Jones earned several compliments from the former staff. But his playing time seemed to decrease with each passing weekend. The 6-foot and 235-pound Jones has shown glimpses of his ability the past two seasons and could be a solid backup at middle linebacker. Jones also possesses adequate speed to play an outside spot, but like Chaney, that will be determined this spring. |
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 |
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6-4 |
245 |
JR. |
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| High School Rankings: |
|
ESPN |
40 |
Rivals |
|
Scout |
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| Year |
T
|
TFL
|
-yds
|
FF
|
INTs
|
| 2009 |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2008 |
72
|
9
|
55 |
1 |
0 |
| 2007 |
7
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Career |
79
|
9
|
55 |
1 |
0 |
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Before he even stepped on campus, this former Olive Branch all-state product was praised for his athetic ability. And the rising junior has proven those words in his first two years on campus.
In 2008, the outside linebacker led the team with 9 tackles for loss and his 72 tackles were second-best on the squad. Wright has displayed the speed to cover backs and tight ends as well as the quickness off the edge to rush quarterbacks. With another solid campaign, Wright could find his way on several All-SEC lists and may even draw mention in the preseason. |
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 |
|
6-0 |
235 |
SO. |
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| High School Rankings: |
|
ESPN |
78 |
Rivals |
|
Scout |
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| Year |
T
|
TFL
|
-yds
|
FF
|
INTs
|
| 2009 |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2008 |
15
|
1
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
| Career |
15
|
1
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Walters was one of a handful of true freshmen that were forced into action last year. But Walters made the most of his time on the field and earned two starts late in the year. Walters could be the surprise of the spring, despite the competition at middle linebacker. Like all true freshmen, Walters struggled at times to catch up with the speed of the college game. But what he didn't lack was determination and tackling skills, which should only improve with more playing time. |
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 |
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6-3 |
240 |
RFR. |
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| High School Rankings: |
|
ESPN |
74 |
Rivals |
|
Scout |
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| Year |
T
|
TFL
|
-yds
|
FF
|
INTs
|
| 2009 |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Career |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Hunt arrived on campus last December as a candidate to play in the secondary. Now at 240 pounds, Hunt is a stronger candidate to push for snaps at outside linebacker. During his high school career and during last year's preseason drills, Hunt displayed the ability to dish out hard licks across the middle of the field. And his athletic ability also comes to play on the edge. Hunt will get his first real opportunity this spring to show the coaches his worth on the field. And he has a good chance to leave a good impression with his aggressive style of play. |
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6-2 |
215 |
SO. |
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| High School Rankings: |
|
ESPN |
40 |
Rivals |
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Scout |
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| Year |
T
|
TFL
|
-yds
|
FF
|
INTs
|
| 2009 |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2008 |
20
|
1.5
|
6 |
0 |
0 |
| Career |
20
|
1.5
|
6 |
0 |
0 |
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At 205 pounds, Johnson is a little lighter than last year, which was a season that saw the rising sophomore earn two starting calls and 20 tackles. Johnson also performed well on special teams thanks to his speed and tackling ability. Although overmatched at times last year, Johnson's experience should bode well in 2009 concerning the linebackers' rotation. |
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 |
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6-3 |
245 |
JR. |
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| High School Rankings: |
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ESPN |
na |
Rivals |
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Scout |
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| Year |
T
|
TFL
|
-yds
|
FF
|
INTs
|
| 2009 |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Career |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
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The former juco All-American is expected by many to step into a starting role at middle linebacker. But only time will tell and that clock starts this spring. White's speed alone sets him apart from other middle linebackers on campus. While he has yet to take a snap in the SEC, White does own valuable experience in the toughest junior college system in the country. During his time at Gulf Coast, which included a 2007 national title, White was also praised for his leadership abilities. |
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 |
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5-8 |
200 |
JR. |
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| High School Rankings: |
|
ESPN |
74 |
Rivals |
|
Scout |
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| Year |
T
|
TFL
|
-yds
|
FF
|
INTs
|
| 2009 |
0
|
0
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2008 |
34
|
1
|
4 |
0 |
0 |
| Career |
34
|
1
|
4 |
0 |
0 |
|
Although undersized at 5-9 and 200 pounds, this rising junior does pack a punch to opposing backs.
Due to injuries last year, Brown earned five starts and brings back solid SEC experience to this unit.
Brown is also valuable on special teams, which will be a requirement for new head coach Dan Mullen.
With more talent on board now and the return of Chaney, Brown's work ethic and fearless style should still put him in the rotation. |
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