GBK 2017 Spring Camp Update: OLB (Sam Linebackers)
On March 10th, GoBlackKnights.com submitted our pre-spring projected two-deep on both offense and defense.
RELATED GBK ARTICLE:
Well, the Army Black Knights have logged in 10 spring practices, with Friday’s scrimmage onboard and April 15th’s Annual Black & Gold Spring Game on the horizon.
So, GBK takes a look at how things on unfolding relative to personnel and the two-deep on both sides of the ball, starting with the defense.
Which players have stepped up, which players have moved positions, which incoming freshmen could conceivably makes some noise upon their arrival this summer and more.
GBK had an opportunity converse with defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, along with our own observations regarding the Black Knights’ defensive personnel, so let’s take a look with just five practices remaining for the spring session.
So, let’s get right into it and start a the outside linebacker and more specifically, at the SAM position.
OLB (Sam):
With senior and starter Alex Aukerman out for the spring as he recoveries from off season surgery, Bayle Wolf is running with the first unit right now, but as Bateman explained, there is plenty of competition for the spot playing behind Aukerman.
“We have Ryan Grady (sophomore) out there and Donovan Lynch (sophomore),” stated Bateman. “They are not as big as Alex, but they are doing a really good job and I know that Daryl [Dixon] is really happy with them. They both will add value.”
From our GBK perspective, they are pretty good athletes, they are long, they can run and they have to get bigger, but they are both in a good situation moving forward to assist the 2017 ‘D’.
Chandler Ramirez, who is a junior has moved around from the defensive end spot to the outside linebacker role and he has gone back and forth with those two spots. “He has done a really job this offseason,” says Bateman of the the LB, who adds size as he is coming in at about 230 pounds. “He’s moving really good and he is doing a good job and he’s probably closes to Alex size wise.”
“I think all of those guys can add value for us and can give us play in certain situations. We are excited about all those guys, really,” Bateman added.
SUMMARY: Lynch has some value as a smaller cover linebacker, where Ramirez is a bigger body and more closer to Aukerman, while Wolfe is kind of in between from a physicality perspective.
Bateman has a group of outside linebackers at the Sam position with different skill sets and he appears to be happy with both the progression and talent.
NOTABLES: The team is back on the field today, with a full scrimmage, as the team was in full pads on Tuesday and helmets/shoulder pads on Wednesday. Head Coach Jeff Monken is managing it whereby the team is not having three full day practices in a row and it appears to be working out well, as the team continues to look brisk and fresh out there.
Next Up - OLB (Mike Position)
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