New linebacking unit looks promising but still has a lot to prove

Ask Myles Jack about it.

‘With some turnover in the linebacker group, what do you say to people to ease those concerns?’

To him, the answer is simple.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a turnover,” the sophomore linebacker said. “We’re just evolving.”

Last year, the quartet of then-freshman Jack, then-senior Anthony Barr, then-redshirt junior Eric Kendricks and then-senior Jordan Zumwalt made a name for itself: ‘Linebacker U,’ as UCLA football once put it.

Mixing, mashing and comparing position groups, the four together were unequivocally the team’s top starting unit.

Now, gone are Barr and Zumwalt. In their wake, they left behind the two most openly contested positions during fall camp this season – the inside linebacker spot beside Kendricks’, and the outside linebacker spot opposite Jack’s.

At inside, the only question that seems to remain is not who, but when: When will the much-praised freshman Kenny Young officially be named the starter?

At outside, things are a bit different – or for better terminology, convoluted.

There’s redshirt junior Aaron Wallace. There’s sophomore Deon Hollins. And there’s junior Kenny Orjioke.

They’ll rotate, each taking his shot at the position, each bringing his own skills to the spot. Wallace, his run defense. Hollins, his quick first-step and pass-rushing skills. Orjioke, a combination of the two, though less specialized in each.

Ask Myles Jack about the unproven trio.

Again, it’s simple.

“(They) didn’t play as much last year, but (they) are going to make a splash this year,” he said. “It’s just guys who are going to make their own name (now).”

A bigger name for themselves than last year?

“We’ve really stepped it up with our linebacker crew this year,” said redshirt senior linebacker Ryan Hofmeister. “Before, we were really minimal in our depth and I think this year, we have a little bit more depth.”

Every week last season, barring injury, the same four linebackers would run out to the field, taking their place for the opposing offense’s first snap.

This year, it seems there will be a revolving door at some of those positions.

According to Hofmeister, for those spots, one week it could be one guy. The next week, another. The week after, someone else.

But no consistency isn’t a problem – at least to Myles Jack.

As he put it, there won’t be a drop-off from last year. This year’s unit is just as good.

In reality, it could be just as good, but who knows yet?

“(This group has) still got a lot to prove,” said defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich earlier during fall camp.

“I think sometimes, you like to say practice is everything, and we do value that highly. But at the same time, to see these guys perform on Saturdays, that’ll be telling as well.”

In that case, consider this Saturday to be a telling one at last.