[BJWilliams]

I have a busy second half of the week coming up so here is my look at the linebackers:

Players Lost

Dallas Griffiths 2 Tackles (2 Solo)
Chris Mayo 5 Tackles (3 Solo) 1.0 TFL
Scott Hyland 57 Tackles (26 Solo) 6.5 TFL 1.0 Sacks (2013 Big South All-Conference Second Team)

Players Returning

Bobby Partilla
Andrew Jauch
Nick Sigmon
Dylan Lewellyn
Dexter Robbins
Miles Hunter
Jimmy O'Grady
Nick Newman
Zach Schreiber

Players Incoming

Dia'Vante Brown 6'2" 245 Lbs (Southern Guilford HS, Greensboro, NC)
Lucas Irons 6'0" 205 Lbs (Coconut Creek HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL)

This is the group that probably will be the biggest asset for Liberty this season, but the one needing to replace the most pieces come signing day 2015, with 4 seniors lining up for the Flames this year, led by 2013 first team honoree Sigmon, who enters the season 26 tackles away from 200 for his career. HIs Lynchburg area wingman Hyland is gone, but he leads an outstanding group of returners, including 2013 starters Jauch and Partilla, and Lewellyn, the younger brother of Flames assistant coach Bryant Lewellyn, himself a former walkon. The most interesting case of the group is Newman, who came onto the mountain as a safety, but with his size and speed is moving to the linebacker position.

Only two players join the roster in 2014 in Brown, a walkon, and the lone signee at the position in Irons. I expect Irons to redshirt, with Brown doing most of his work with the scout team.

Partilla and Jauch both split time at the strong side position, and from the look of things, that same dynamic will be in play again in 2014 so the two will be listed as co-starters at the position in my projected rotation

Projected Rotation

Sam (Strong)- Bobby Partilla/Andrew Jauch
Mike (Middle)- Nick Sigmon
Will (Weak)- Dylan Lewellyn

Nick Newman
Miles Hunter
Jimmy O'Grady
Zach Schreiber
Dexter Robbins