Spring Preview - Linebackers

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)

On Monday, I wrote that Cal’s defensive line unit had me the most excited, but I’ve got to say I’m most intrigued by the Bears’ young linebacking corps. When it’s all said and done, this group has the potential to be the most dominant group for the Bears.

2011 Position Wrap-Up
With the Bears breaking in young starters at the OLB spots, there was a bit of uncertainty with the linebacking corps. There was little question however, that senior linebackers DJ Holt and Mychal Kendricks would dominate on the inside.

And dominate they did.

Kendricks and Holt emerged as the best inside linebacker duo in the conference, combining for 187 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, all-conference honorable mention for Holt and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year distinction for Kendricks.

On the outside, the Bears relied on their talented, but inexperienced freshmen linebackers.

Grayshirt freshman Chris McCain caught the attention of the coaching staff early on in Fall Camp, earning the nickname “Gadget” from Coach Tedford due to his rangy frame and ability to make plays. McCain notched just 29 tackles all season, but displayed his playmaking ability as 7 of those 29 tackles were for a loss. It was a solid debut for the highly touted linebacker from North Carolina.

Fans were in for a surprise when sophomore Dan Camporeale was named the starter for the season opener. With the level of youth on the outside, the coaches seemed to prefer Campo’s experience and ruggedness in run support. Though Camporeale struggled a bit in pass coverage, he was rarely out of position in defending the run, and notched 19 tackles with a respectable 4.5 tackles for a loss.

Dave Wilkerson was recruited as an inside linebacker, but made the switch to the outside with the coaching staff needing Kendricks and Holt to quarterback the front seven. They were also pleased with his pass rushing ability, and Wilkerson emerged as the Bears’ pass rusher of the young outside linebackers, recording 4 sacks, and 5.5 tackles for a loss. Wilkerson struggled with the injury bug though, playing just 10 games and recording just 17 total tackles.

Grayshirt freshman Cecil Whiteside may have seen the least playing time of the four OLBs, but seemed to have the most penchant for making plays. Though he had just 17 total tackles, he also had 4 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. In sum, Whiteside’s youth was exposed, but he was going to make plays more often than not.

As whole, the Bears’ season at the linebacker spot could be summarized as follows: the inside linebackers were solid and reliable, while the outside linebackers had performances demonstrating both their athleticism and inexperience. The young outside linebackers showed great closing speed in getting to the ball, but also struggled with shedding blocks and quickly diagnosing plays when facing zone-read rushing attacks.

And still, the Bears are still patiently waiting for an outside linebacker to step up as a dominant pass rusher, ala-Zach Follett.


Spring Preview
While the Bears’ questions last year resided on the outside, it seems to be flipped this year. The Bears will have to replace both Kendricks and Holt on the inside.

Sixth year Robert Mullins and junior Steven Fanua are an experienced pair of linebackers who’ve seen little playing time throughout their career, and will need to fend off younger linebackers who appear poised to breakout.

Dave Wilkerson has switched back to his more natural position of inside linebacker, but has been hampered again by injuries this spring. If he can stay healthy, Wilkerson has the ability to be a very solid ILB.

Also making the switch is Jason Gibson, a four-star outside linebacker who redshirted last year. If there has been any player who has garnered the most acclaim this spring, it just might be Gibson. Gibson has been praised for his playmaking ability, and has just begun getting reps with the ones after dominating with the twos.

Nick Forbes is another four-star talent at inside linebacker who finally appears healthy after having both his redshirt and freshman season end before ever really starting due to injury. Forbes has also been pointed out a viable candidate for the starting job.

On the outside, the Bears are hoping that the experience gained by their young starters last year will pay off major dividends this year.

Chris McCain appears poised to take the next step, especially after having gained some weight to his lean, rangy frame. McCain is up to 230 pounds after coming in as 200 pound freshman and playing at the 220 mark last year. He’ll need the weight if he’s going to be relied on to defend the edges.

Dan Camporeale has been getting reps with the first unit and will at the very least be a dependable option for the Bears.

Cecil Whiteside has also been running with the second team, but everyone involved is hoping for the talented sophomore to step up and consistently make plays.

Redshirt freshman Jalen Jefferson is out due to injury, and Nathan Broussard will provide depth on the outside.

And though he’s out of Spring Ball now recovering from last year’s season ending knee injury, I’ve still got high hopes for Brennan Scarlett. The big-bodied sophomore has legitimate track speed, and is only a season’s worth of experience away in my mind, from being a dominant DE/OLB player for the Bears.

As a whole, one can’t help but be excited at the potential with the group. You’ve got any number of situations where the Bears’ have the best linebacking corps in terms of talent. There are a lot of blue chip prospects who just need the experience and opportunities to help the Bears return one of the best defenses in the conference.