Virginia Tech Spring Football Preview: A Look at the Linebackers

After a strong 2008 campaign, defensive coordinator Bud Foster will have to replace his top two linebackers for the second year in a row.

Brett Warren and Purnell Sturdivant stepped in for Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall last year and played exceptionally well for two guys that had to wait their turn.

This year, Tech will rely on some much younger talent at linebacker, but as we’ve seen over the last few years, coach Bud Foster can plug just about anybody in on defense and have them produce on the field.

Backer Linebacker

First String

The Hokies lost both of their backers last year in Purnell Sturdivant and Jonas Houseright, so Tech will head into the spring with two new faces patrolling the outside linebacker position.

Lyndell Gibson’s high school coach Robert Jackson described him as one of the best linebackers he’s ever coached.

The Virginia High School Coaches Association agreed with Coach Jackson and named the former Salem High star to the first team all-state team as a senior.

After a redshirt year, Gibson will get his chance to shine and prove to the coaches that he is deserving of the starting job this fall.

Lyndell is a tad on the short side at 5'10", but he makes up for it with his pure football instincts and his tackling ability. If Gibson has bulked up any this offseason, then he could easily snatch the starting job early on this spring.

Second String

A year ago I would have sworn that Quillie Odom would have locked up the starting job at backer before this spring even began, but that is no longer the case.

Odom played in the Hokies' first seven games of the season but didn’t play a single snap on special teams the rest of the year. Quillie was never on the injury report, so it appears that his lack of playing time was a decision that came down from Coach Foster, which means that Odom did something he was probably no supposed to do.

Obviously in the coach’s doghouse, Odom will need to impress this spring and try to beat out Lyndell Gibson for the starting job.

Hokie fans should keep an eye on Quillie this spring, as Hargrave head coach Rob Prunty called him the best linebacker he’s seen since Ahmad Brooks. That’s high praise coming from a coach that coaches four- and five-star linebackers each year.

Mike Linebacker

First String

Sophomore Barquell Rivers received his first ever start against the Cincinnati Bearcats in last year's Orange Bowl.

Incredibly enough, Rivers had the chance to make the play of his young career when he stuffed Cincy QB Tony Pike at the goal line to force the Bearcats to turn it over on a play that completely changed the game.

This year, Barquell will be the favorite to take over the starting job, although he’ll have some tough competition to deal with.

Second String

That tough competition I speak of is sophomore Jake Johnson, who, like most freshmen, saw most of his playing time on the Hokies' “pride and joy” team last season.

Jake has all the physical tools necessary to be a starter here at Virginia Tech, but he’ll need to sure up the mental side of the game this spring. If he can master Coach Foster’s complex defensive playbook, then Jake could overtake Rivers as the starting MIKE linebacker.

Johnson really impressed in the weight room this winter as he finished fourth on the team with a 560-pound back squat and third on the team with a 351-pound power clean.

Whip Linebacker

First String

Tech returns both of their Whip linebacker starters from last season in senior Cody Grimm and senior Cam Martin.

Grimm, who is a former walk-on, really came on strong last season as he finished second on the team in sacks with 7.5.

Grimm was a high-energy player that seemed to make more big plays last season than anybody else on the team. If he can continue to play at a high level this fall, Cody could go from walk-on to being selected in the NFL draft in 2010.

Second String

Cam Martin will split time with Grimm this fall. However, Cam will miss all of spring practice because of offseason knee surgery.

The senior has battled through injury problems throughout his career, but he should be able to at least head into his senior year at 100 percent.

Last year, Cam played well as he started 13 of the Hokies' 14 games and registered 51 total tackles, including two sacks, on the season.

Third String

Redshirt freshman Alonzo Tweedy will see an increased number of reps this spring with the absence of Cam Martin. Tweedy needs to have a good spring since he figures to be the starter when both Martin and Grimm graduate at the end of this season.

Alonzo came in a tad on the thin side but has since bulked up and could see some playing time this fall if need be.

The biggest asset Tweedy has is his overall speed since he is by far the fastest player currently listed at linebacker.

Alonzo ran a 4.46 this past winter, which is almost a tenth quicker than any other linebacker.

Summary

I used to get worried when Tech had to replace a player on defense, but over the last few seasons, Coach Foster has proved that he really can just plug any player into his system and still crank out great performances.

However, these guys do have a lot of work to do, as they will be tested right out of the gate in 2009.

Tech will face the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sept. 5 in a game that could easily send the winning team on an undefeated run to a national championship.

Lost from 2008

Brett Warren (Graduation)

Purnell Sturdivant (Graduation)

Jonas Houseright (Graduation)

Allen Stephens (Transferred)

Hunter Ovens (Transferred)

Enrolling in the Fall

Telvion Clark

Tyrel Wilson