As we inch closer to Marshall’s first game at WVU on September 3rd the Marshall Thundering Blog is breaking down the Herds roster position by position. Today will focus on the defensive line.
*Editors note – I have decided to abandon the best / worst case scenario format. The previews did not read well in current and future tense. Instead, I will just preview each position.
2010 Stats:
Mario Harvey – 143 TKLS, 8.5 Sacks
Kellen Harris – 68 TKLS, .5 Sacks
Devin Arrington – 64 TKLS, 1.5 Sacks
Tyson Gale – 46 TKLS
Trevor Black – 23 TKLS
George Carpenter – 16 TKLS
T.J Ross – 7 TKLS
Billy Mitchell – 1TKL
Departed:
Mario Harvey
Trevor Black (moved to defensive end)
Devin Arrington (moved to safety)
Returning/Incoming:
Kellen Harris, redshirt senior
Tyson Gale, senior
George Carpenter, senior
T.J Ross, sophomore
Billy Mitchell, redshirt sophomore
Armonze Daniel, freshman
Cortez Carter, freshman
Jermaine Holmes, freshman
Robert Way, freshman
Deon Meadows, freshman
Cameron Brown, freshman
Zach Wellman, redshirt freshman
2011 Outlook:
No unit has a bigger void to fill than Marshall’s linebackers. Gone is Mario Harvey, a first team all Conference USA selection in 2010 that registered 143 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Although Harvey will be sorely missed Marshall has a talented group of veteran leaders and newcomers to fill the void.
Coming out of preseason practice Marshall broke camp with an all upperclassman front at linebacker. Taking Harvey’s old spot on the weak side is redshirt senior Kellen Harris. Harris only started three games last year but played extensively, registering 68 tackles, and two forced fumbles. He also started all 13 games in 2009 at middle linebacker, anchoring C-USA’s 2nd rated defense. In the middle Tyson Gale is holding off a strong challenge by freshman Jermaine Holmes. Gale started eight games at middle linebacker last year and totaled 46 tackles. Taking the strong side spot is senior George Carpenter. Carpenter has spent the majority of his career on special teams but used a strong spring and preseason practice to secure a starting job.
All of the upperclassman listed above are being pushed by a strong group of incoming freshman. As previously mentioned Holmes is already fighting for Gale's spot at middle linebacker. In this past Saturday’s scrimmage Holmes started for the injured Gale and made four tackles with a fumble recovery. Fellow freshman Armonze Daniel and Robert Way should see action in reserve roles while Cortez Carter uses a redshirt. Deon Meadows is sitting out 2011 as a partial qualifier. Not to be lost in the shuffle are sophomores Billy Mitchell and T.J Ross. Both will play valuable roles on special teams and should see spot duty at linebacker.
Next: The Secondary
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