Linebacker is one of the position groups where intangibles really matter. The spread offenses of the Big 12 will expose linebackers who lack athleticism, but will absolutely destroy those that lack intelligence, praying on their misalignment and attacking them in space. By nature the position requires toughness and discipline, and those are things that have to be observed in practices in a college setting to be properly evaluated. While they are in high school, things like aggressive hitting, ability to get off blocks, closing speed, and quick read and react skills are observable traits that do translate pretty well to the next level.
On signing day in 2014, the staff felt very good about the linebackers that had been signed, but as a group, they were better than expected. If not for a few injury setbacks, they would have seen the field a lot more than they did. With Devante Averette getting an extra year, the two inside backer positions are in really good shape from that class for the next two seasons. Josh Mabin and Justin Phillips are going to be very good players. The star position is the spot that really needed the focus going forward. With the loss of Super Senior transfer Josh Furman, the position was going to be wide open. Additionally, the Cowboys have shown the creativity to employ more than one of those guys on the field at the same time as well as using them extensively on special teams. The desire to get more speed and coverage ability at the star position as well as the desire to get bigger at safety allowed the staff to recruit several hybrid prospects. That emphasis is seen clearly in this signing class.
Jordan Burton is very similar to Josh Furman in terms of size, athleticism, and what he brings to the field. Although he played free safety in junior college, he showed very good physicality when in the box, willing to come up in run support strong and make a hit at full speed. He will be making the switch to linebacker (a position he played at Longview High School) It's a better fit for him with his skill set. Physicality and collisions are strengths of his. His recognition skills are above average, but once he makes the read and begins to run to the ball, he goes full speed and arrives ready to hit. He shows an adequate ability to cover receivers, breaks down well in space to make tackles, and closes on the ball quickly. Look for him to be a guy that gets immediate play on coverage units and situational play in passing situations, perhaps as a pass rushing specialist from the star position. It will be interesting to watch his development during spring football as there will be lots of experimenting with options at the star spot. Due to the overall youth at the position, it was important to bring in an older player this year. He should fit in nicely.
Kevin Henry was the top high school target at the star position. He will arrive at OSU as one of the most celebrated recruits in the class for good reason: he is very athletic and is a tremendous tackler. The uncertainty around his ability to qualify was the only negative in his early evaluation. He is a multi-sport athlete that has great playmaking instincts on the field. This young man has all the tools you would possibly look for in a player at the STAR, and plays with an edge that hints at potential greatness down the road. There will definitely be an adjustment to this level, particularly when it comes to run game responsibilities and getting off blocks as he moves in from the secondary. He is going to have to develop his football mind and discipline to pair it with elite athleticism and instincts. In high school, he was often turned loose to run to the ball (something he does exceptionally well) and had very little to think about. This allowed him to play fast and be a big playmaker. He might be the type of player that jumps up several notches in performance after a couple of years in the program as mental reps get quick enough to catch up with his physical abilities. There is little doubt that athletically he could contribute early as a coverage player on special teams and possibly as a blitz specialist.
The need at Linebacker was to stock the Star Position. That goal seems to be filled both short and long term with the two young men discussed above. Although the linebacker class will not appear set apart from other groups at the position in the conference, these guys are definitely not lacking in quality. This is a solid "B+" that could prove to be an "A-/A" if Burton is able to contribute immediately.
Looking at the 2-year glance, things look solid:
MLB: Josh Mabin
WLB: Devante Averette; Justin Phillips; Gyasi Akem
Star: Kirk Tucker, Jordan Burton, Kevin Henry
This post was edited on 2/25 11:25 AM by Indy
On signing day in 2014, the staff felt very good about the linebackers that had been signed, but as a group, they were better than expected. If not for a few injury setbacks, they would have seen the field a lot more than they did. With Devante Averette getting an extra year, the two inside backer positions are in really good shape from that class for the next two seasons. Josh Mabin and Justin Phillips are going to be very good players. The star position is the spot that really needed the focus going forward. With the loss of Super Senior transfer Josh Furman, the position was going to be wide open. Additionally, the Cowboys have shown the creativity to employ more than one of those guys on the field at the same time as well as using them extensively on special teams. The desire to get more speed and coverage ability at the star position as well as the desire to get bigger at safety allowed the staff to recruit several hybrid prospects. That emphasis is seen clearly in this signing class.
Jordan Burton is very similar to Josh Furman in terms of size, athleticism, and what he brings to the field. Although he played free safety in junior college, he showed very good physicality when in the box, willing to come up in run support strong and make a hit at full speed. He will be making the switch to linebacker (a position he played at Longview High School) It's a better fit for him with his skill set. Physicality and collisions are strengths of his. His recognition skills are above average, but once he makes the read and begins to run to the ball, he goes full speed and arrives ready to hit. He shows an adequate ability to cover receivers, breaks down well in space to make tackles, and closes on the ball quickly. Look for him to be a guy that gets immediate play on coverage units and situational play in passing situations, perhaps as a pass rushing specialist from the star position. It will be interesting to watch his development during spring football as there will be lots of experimenting with options at the star spot. Due to the overall youth at the position, it was important to bring in an older player this year. He should fit in nicely.
Kevin Henry was the top high school target at the star position. He will arrive at OSU as one of the most celebrated recruits in the class for good reason: he is very athletic and is a tremendous tackler. The uncertainty around his ability to qualify was the only negative in his early evaluation. He is a multi-sport athlete that has great playmaking instincts on the field. This young man has all the tools you would possibly look for in a player at the STAR, and plays with an edge that hints at potential greatness down the road. There will definitely be an adjustment to this level, particularly when it comes to run game responsibilities and getting off blocks as he moves in from the secondary. He is going to have to develop his football mind and discipline to pair it with elite athleticism and instincts. In high school, he was often turned loose to run to the ball (something he does exceptionally well) and had very little to think about. This allowed him to play fast and be a big playmaker. He might be the type of player that jumps up several notches in performance after a couple of years in the program as mental reps get quick enough to catch up with his physical abilities. There is little doubt that athletically he could contribute early as a coverage player on special teams and possibly as a blitz specialist.
The need at Linebacker was to stock the Star Position. That goal seems to be filled both short and long term with the two young men discussed above. Although the linebacker class will not appear set apart from other groups at the position in the conference, these guys are definitely not lacking in quality. This is a solid "B+" that could prove to be an "A-/A" if Burton is able to contribute immediately.
Looking at the 2-year glance, things look solid:
MLB: Josh Mabin
WLB: Devante Averette; Justin Phillips; Gyasi Akem
Star: Kirk Tucker, Jordan Burton, Kevin Henry
This post was edited on 2/25 11:25 AM by Indy
