Delving the Depth Chart - Linebackers

Every True Son will take a position-by-position look at the Tigers headed into this season. Today, "Delving the Depth Chart" takes a look at the linebackers.

The linebacker corps may have incurred some of the biggest losses following the 2006 season, but may also have the most potential of any unit on the defensive side of the ball.

The Tigers can no longer lean on First Team All-Big 12 LB Marcus Bacon, who led the team in tackles in 2006 with 112. Additionally, gone is MLB Dedrick Harrington, who contributed 100 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 13 starts last year.

Yet, there is cautious optimism about the strength of this year's unit, as noted in an article in early August by the STL P-D's Graham Watson.

Junior Brock Christopher moves inside after 87 tackles outside last season, and his heads-up, cerebral style of play may benefit the unit as a whole. Christopher saw playing time last year in the absence of Van Alexander, who will once again try to stay healthy enough to see consistent snaps.

They will be joined primarily by Sean Witherspoon, a sophomore described by DT Lorenzo WIlliams as "everything you could ever want in a linebacker." Witherspoon is physical for an OLB, and should help shore up the Mizzou run defense, but his aptitude in coverage may need to develop as the year progresses.

But the truly exciting part of the LB unit is the potential quality of its depth. At weakside, Witherspoon will be backed by Connell Davis and true freshman Michael Keck. Davis, who recently switched over from RB, has drawn accolades throughout preseason practice for the strides he's made. Keck endured injury issues throughout camp, but the four-star recruit has a blend of speed and physicality never before seen in the Pinkel regime or, perhaps, in school history. How well he adjusts to coverage and playing stand-up may determine his opportunity for greatness. That talent may have to wait, however, as it appears Pinkel is content to redshirt in 2007.

Inside, Christopher will be backed by another true freshman, Luke Lambert. Recent reports show Lambert will likely avoid a redshirt - Lambert enrolled early last spring, and the extra preparation could pay off in the form of significant time at MLB as the season progresses.

The strongside is a bit more of an enigma. Behind Alexander, three names fill out the depth chart: Steve Redmond, Marquis Booker and Andrew Gachkar. Pinkel recently announced Gachkar, like Lambert, will avoid a redshirt.

The unit as a whole is much like Mizzou's first opponent, Illinois: inexperienced but extremely talented, with the capacity for big things as the players grow older and pick up the nuances of the game.