Inside LB preview

[Paul C]

Only real surprise here is that Tyler Voyles will miss the season with a knee injury suffered in spring. Aside from that appears the starters will likely be Elijah McKoy (who has added some size/strength) and Donovan Perryman. I really liked what Perryman did last year after coming in as a fairly unheralded late recruit a couple years ago. Braden Gilby sounds like he's the real deal, and ready to go as a true Fr and Jack Owen also provides depth. Sounds like they'd really like to redshirt Jax Hackett and give him time to "bigger, stronger"....the new "4 game" rule could really help here as we can play him in spots in case any of the other guys miss any appreciable time and still get him redshirted.

Still a young group but I like the 2 starters and we have some young guys that will be able to make a difference. This position should be a strength for the next couple of years, barring injuris.

http://www.furmanpaladins.com/sports/m- ... 0816mzn4a1

[AstroDin]

Only real surprise here is that Tyler Voyles will miss the season with a knee injury suffered in spring. Aside from that appears the starters will likely be Elijah McKoy (who has added some size/strength) and Donovan Perryman. I really liked what Perryman did last year after coming in as a fairly unheralded late recruit a couple years ago. Braden Gilby sounds like he's the real deal, and ready to go as a true Fr and Jack Owen also provides depth. Sounds like they'd really like to redshirt Jax Hackett and give him time to "bigger, stronger"....the new "4 game" rule could really help here as we can play him in spots in case any of the other guys miss any appreciable time and still get him redshirted.

Still a young group but I like the 2 starters and we have some young guys that will be able to make a difference. This position should be a strength for the next couple of years, barring injuris.

http://www.furmanpaladins.com/sports/m- ... 0816mzn4a1

I texted Paul this as I was watching practice today… I saw #43 make a couple of really good plays and thought to myself who is that? A freshman DE? It was Gilby he's a pretty big dude, he and Jack Owen are similar in size.

[gofurman]

Only real surprise here is that Tyler Voyles will miss the season with a knee injury suffered in spring. Aside from that appears the starters will likely be Elijah McKoy (who has added some size/strength) and Donovan Perryman. I really liked what Perryman did last year after coming in as a fairly unheralded late recruit a couple years ago. Braden Gilby sounds like he's the real deal, and ready to go as a true Fr and Jack Owen also provides depth. Sounds like they'd really like to redshirt Jax Hackett and give him time to "bigger, stronger"....the new "4 game" rule could really help here as we can play him in spots in case any of the other guys miss any appreciable time and still get him redshirted.

Still a young group but I like the 2 starters and we have some young guys that will be able to make a difference. This position should be a strength for the next couple of years, barring injuris.

http://www.furmanpaladins.com/sports/m- ... 0816mzn4a1

I texted Paul this as I was watching practice today… I saw #43 make a couple of really good plays and thought to myself who is that? A freshman DE? It was Gilby he's a pretty big dude, he and Jack Owen are similar in size.

Appreciate reports !

Man. Hope the young guys are good. Thought we would have Ellis and Voyles. Two LBs gone before season starts.

Glad to see Paul recalls how we spell injuris!!!

[The Jackal]

Inside linebacker is a concern, but it was a concern last year as well that was resolved. Remember, Furman lost three players for the season (Woodruff, Burch, Olusanya) there last year and did fine.

ILB is one of those positions that doesn't rotate often. You don't need 7 guys a game to play there like you might on the defensive line or at WR. Usually, your starters are out there the whole game.

I think McKoy may lead the SoCon in tackles. Perryman is a high motor guy that should thrive inside. We'll have depth there and more experience than we did last season. Not where we want to be, but better.

[gofurman]

Inside linebacker is a concern, but it was a concern last year as well that was resolved. Remember, Furman lost three players for the season (Woodruff, Burch, Olusanya) there last year and did fine.

ILB is one of those positions that doesn't rotate often. You don't need 7 guys a game to play there like you might on the defensive line or at WR. Usually, your starters are out there the whole game.

I think McKoy may lead the SoCon in tackles. Perryman is a high motor guy that should thrive inside. We'll have depth there and more experience than we did last season. Not where we want to be, but better.

Agree - we are still building.. need more depth and experience in a few places still. and I need to keep in mind that last year was a REALLY fast improvement. Just hard for me to not want more !

Aside, Was shocked to see how young our OL is when Paul posted that - all starters and backups are Jr and Soph mainly. Man... COuld be great next year and improve this year throughout year