Linebacker outlook 2010

It will be very difficult to replace both Matt Mayberry and Will Patterson. Matt Mayberry was a tackling machine who had good leadership abilities and speed. Will was a solid 4 year starter for the hoosiers who played physical and was a good leader as well. Also leaving is back up linebacker Justin Carrington. That leaves Tyler Replogle as the only returning starter for next year. He will most likely move from outside linebacker to inside linebacker and be the senior leader. He has a high motor and one of the best work ethics on the team. The other two linebacker spots will be up for competition between many young players. Some of them include Chad Sherer, Damon Sims, Griffin Dahlstrom, Dimitrius Carr and former walk on Leon Beckum.

Here is what Coach Lynch said about the situation. "And then the other freshmen kids that we brought in that we redshirted I think all have great futures," Lynch said. "I think Damon Sims…I would say a lot of places would've played him this year, but we decided not to. He would've been a great special teams player. He would have been a great guy covering kickoffs and covering punts, but we redshirted him. I think Griffen Dahlstrom, who came in injured, he's gotten bigger and stronger. He fits what we're looking for in a 'Mike' linebacker. And Dimitrius Carr will get nothing but better because he was really a safety and this was his first year playing linebacker."

Both Damon Sims and Chad Sherer are both pretty physical players. They have gotten bigger and stronger since they have been at IU. Leon Beckum brings some experience to the position and will be in the mix. Dimitrius Carr has some pretty good speed considering he played safety in high school. If I had to guess I think most of them will all get playing time next season but I think Chad Sherer and Damon Sims could both find themselves in the starting lineup for the first game of the year along with Tyler Replogle. A lot could change throughout the spring and summer though. The linebacking core will be pretty young outside of Tyler Replogle next year but it could provide the needed experience that allows a few of them to really shine in two years or so. See the video below of an interview this summer of Damon Sims. (He is the second half of the interview)