Tracking The Cincinnati Bearcats Football Freshman | Defense
by Matt Opper on Dec 20, 2011 2:17 PM EST
in Cincinnati Bearcats Football
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Arguably the biggest problem with the defense as a whole during the 2010 season was the startling lack of depth across the board, but among the linebackers in particular. J.K. Schaffer and Maalik Bomar had to play an almost obscene number of plays every single game. Jones and his staff set out to rectify that issue with recruiting. UC didn't sign that many linebackers, just 3 of them in fact. But they all made an impact in 2011.
43 Nick Temple
I was really high on Temple when he committed to the Bearcats back in June of 2010. I figured that he would join the rotation at linebacker and play on special teams for a year before moving into a starting roll for 2012. That's not how it played out. Temple appeared in all 12 games, and started 7. Temple had his freshman moments to be sure, but his ability to cover slot receivers in the flats effectively and play the run really freed up Schaffer and Bomar to blitz a little bit more often. On the year Temple had 27 tackles, and 2 for loss which isn't huge production. But he is the first True Freshman to start a game at linebacker since Cory Smith started 9 games in 2005.
52 Dwight Jackson
Jackson like Temple was an early enrollee who was on campus for spring practice. That extra bit of time really helped aid his transition from defensive end which he played for Miami Central to linebacker. Jackson developed into a valuable member of the rotation as the season went along. He appeared in 9 games notching 14 tackles, 1.5 for loss and a forced fumble against West Virginia.
57 Clemente Casseus
A late addition to the 2011 class as a linebacker Casseus appeared in the Austin Peay and Akron games and notched 8 tackles and 2 TFL.
Taking Redshirts
Chad Hannah, Kevin Hyland, Innocent Macha, Brandon Mitchell, Silverberry Mouhon, Torrey Nibbs, Trenier Orr, Chad West
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I think this defensive class
is going to be very good. I’m encouraged by what I’ve heard about the potential of Mitchell, Mouhon and Orr. Wouldn’t be surprised if Mitchell and West start getting some reps next year as well. I really thought we were close to seeing Orr burn his redshirt this year, especially after Battle went down. It sounded like Orr was getting plenty of work in practice and was probably a play away from going in. Glad we preserved his year but it sounds like the coaches really like him.
As for linebacker, I really like both Jackson and Temple and they played key roles this season. I also think Casseus will start to get more reps in the rotation and a year in the program should him quite a bit.
Mouhon
From everything I have heard this kid has the potential to be special. Mouhon was really impressive in a couple of all star games in the summer. To the point where a lot of people were wondering how the hell he got out of the SEC. He was really impressive in camp and was named the scout team player of the year this season. Give him an off season to put on another 20 or 30 pounds and Steve Stripling gets another uber talented defensive end to work with.
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