Since Addazio has taken over, BC has had a solid linebacker core almost every year. They have had a good mix of top flight talent, with 3 players being drafted, and solid depth. Typically, the line backing core consists of 2 solid run stoppers, and an speedy outside backer who is a great blitzer. Last year, Matt Milano filled that outside linebacker role. With BC losing him to the draft, they will need someone to step up.
Ty Schwab
2016 Stats: 61 Tackles, 31 Solo, 5.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 pass breakups
2017 Preview: Schwab had a solid season last year at outside linebacker. He finished second on the team in tackles, and showed ability against both the run and the pass. Look for BC to blitz Schwab more this season than in the past, and his sack totals should increase.
Connor Strachan
2016 Stats: 80 Tackles, 48 unassisted, 11 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
2017 Preview: Strachan led the Eagles in tackles last year, and is BC’s most polished linebacker. He has started the past 2 seasons, and made the switch to middle linebacker last season. Strachan will need to continue to be solid as BC does not have much depth at DT. He will need to continue to be a run stopper for BC’s defense to stay near the top in college football.
Kevin Bletzer
2016 Stats: 7 Tackles, 1 TFL
2017 Preview: With Sharrieff Grice no longer playing football due to concussions, BC will need Bletzer to step up and fill his role. Bletzer saw the field on special teams and as a backup, but does not have much experience.
Others to Watch: Max Richardson, Jimmy Martin
Overall: With Sharrieff Grice retiring from football, BC finds themselves very thin at linebacker. While Grice was not expected to be a star, he was penciled in as a starter. With him out, Kevin Bletzer will need to rise up to fill the starting role and Max Richardson and Jimmy Martin must provide quality depth for the starters. Schwab and Strachan are solid returning starters, which should leave BC in a find position at linebacker.
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