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Offseason Additions: Deshawn Troutman (2021 signee)
Offseason Departures: Zach McCloud (Moved to DE)
In 2020, Miami’s linebackers were probably the least productive unit on the team. Veterans Zach McCloud (27 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks) and Bradley Jennings (39 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks) served the majority of the season as the starters at WILL and MLB, respectively, and the hope was that they would provide a steady hand at the second level of the defense operating as UM’s most experienced linebackers. However, whether it was being too slow to the ball or missing assignments, these two had a host of problems all season long in run defense, their coverage skills were lacking to put it mildly, and there was a near-total absence of impact plays. It was concerning then that while younger talents like sophomore Sam Brooks (37 tackles) and freshman Corey Flagg (15 tackles) showed flashes at various points of the season, neither showed the consistency required to gain the coaches’ trust and supplant Jennings or McCloud in the lineup.
Looking towards this spring, while McCloud has been relegated to DE, Jennings returns to the group, although it almost feels like a prerequisite that somebody must beat him out for this defense to return to their former glory in 2021. The closest to unseating Jennings at MLB heading into camp is Flagg, who at times demonstrated compelling instincts for the position last season. This camp will be about convincing the coaches his understanding of the defense has improved and that he will be in the right position more often than not, because Flagg inspires when he’s on his game and crashing to the ballcarrier hard in run support.
The most likely successor to McCloud at WILL is Brooks, who brings impressive speed and range to the position. Brooks has the ability to provide the game-changing plays at LB Miami had too little of last season, as shown by his late 4th quarter sack in the one-point road win over Virginia Tech in 2020. Like Flagg, though, the challenge for Brooks will be to prove he is more reliable than in the past, when he would too often get washed out of plays. Competition here will be supplied by Waynmon Steed, another uninspiring veteran best suited for a backup role, as well as Tirek Austin-Cave, who had his freshman year set back by injuries and COVID, and Avery Huff, who many around the program feel might have the most upside of all the linebackers but needs to show progression mentally this spring to see the field.
An intriguing piece to the linebacker puzzle is true freshman Deshawn Troutman, who many feel was an underrated pickup in Miami’s 2021 class. Troutman has enrolled early and will participate for spring ball, and he brings an exciting combination of sideline-to-sideline prowess and violent hitting to the group. With no real proven options in front of him, Troutman has an incredible opportunity this spring to win a job and never look back, but he will have to show an advanced understanding of the position and add weight to his frame in order to pull it off.
Things look rosier when turning the attention to striker, where Gilbert Frierson (53 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks) had an overall strong first season in the starting role. Although he too battled consistency issues at times, there’s no doubt that Frierson was the most reliable among UM’s starters at the second level, and he also proved he could bring big-time performances to the table, as shown by his games against Clemson (3 TFL, FR) and VT (2 sacks). Frierson gives Miami exactly what they are looking for out of the position, as he was able to become more physical in run support in 2020 while the former corner was still an asset in covering TE’s and RB’s. Backup Keontra Smith (22 tackles) gave the Hurricanes some great snaps off the bench throughout the season, while true freshman Chase Smith has enrolled early this spring to get a jump on learning the position.
Bottom Line
Linebacker is one of the key position groups Canes fans should be paying attention to this spring, as it is imperative that UM goes into the 2021 season with a better plan for the spot. Older players like Jennings and Steed have proven they are best suited for backup roles, so this spring will be about developing a few younger talents to take more of their snaps going forward. Ideally, Flagg and Brooks will prove they are ready to be every down ‘backers on Miami’s first unit, and a third younger player will demonstrate he is worthy of a part-time role as well; all of that is far from a guarantee, though. At the end of the day, linebacker will be fun to follow this spring to see if someone is standing out in this group, as the position is just so wide-open right now and it could be anyone. At striker, this camp and subsequent season will be about if Frierson can make the jump from good to great.
Offseason Departures: Zach McCloud (Moved to DE)
In 2020, Miami’s linebackers were probably the least productive unit on the team. Veterans Zach McCloud (27 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 sacks) and Bradley Jennings (39 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks) served the majority of the season as the starters at WILL and MLB, respectively, and the hope was that they would provide a steady hand at the second level of the defense operating as UM’s most experienced linebackers. However, whether it was being too slow to the ball or missing assignments, these two had a host of problems all season long in run defense, their coverage skills were lacking to put it mildly, and there was a near-total absence of impact plays. It was concerning then that while younger talents like sophomore Sam Brooks (37 tackles) and freshman Corey Flagg (15 tackles) showed flashes at various points of the season, neither showed the consistency required to gain the coaches’ trust and supplant Jennings or McCloud in the lineup.
Looking towards this spring, while McCloud has been relegated to DE, Jennings returns to the group, although it almost feels like a prerequisite that somebody must beat him out for this defense to return to their former glory in 2021. The closest to unseating Jennings at MLB heading into camp is Flagg, who at times demonstrated compelling instincts for the position last season. This camp will be about convincing the coaches his understanding of the defense has improved and that he will be in the right position more often than not, because Flagg inspires when he’s on his game and crashing to the ballcarrier hard in run support.
The most likely successor to McCloud at WILL is Brooks, who brings impressive speed and range to the position. Brooks has the ability to provide the game-changing plays at LB Miami had too little of last season, as shown by his late 4th quarter sack in the one-point road win over Virginia Tech in 2020. Like Flagg, though, the challenge for Brooks will be to prove he is more reliable than in the past, when he would too often get washed out of plays. Competition here will be supplied by Waynmon Steed, another uninspiring veteran best suited for a backup role, as well as Tirek Austin-Cave, who had his freshman year set back by injuries and COVID, and Avery Huff, who many around the program feel might have the most upside of all the linebackers but needs to show progression mentally this spring to see the field.
An intriguing piece to the linebacker puzzle is true freshman Deshawn Troutman, who many feel was an underrated pickup in Miami’s 2021 class. Troutman has enrolled early and will participate for spring ball, and he brings an exciting combination of sideline-to-sideline prowess and violent hitting to the group. With no real proven options in front of him, Troutman has an incredible opportunity this spring to win a job and never look back, but he will have to show an advanced understanding of the position and add weight to his frame in order to pull it off.
Things look rosier when turning the attention to striker, where Gilbert Frierson (53 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks) had an overall strong first season in the starting role. Although he too battled consistency issues at times, there’s no doubt that Frierson was the most reliable among UM’s starters at the second level, and he also proved he could bring big-time performances to the table, as shown by his games against Clemson (3 TFL, FR) and VT (2 sacks). Frierson gives Miami exactly what they are looking for out of the position, as he was able to become more physical in run support in 2020 while the former corner was still an asset in covering TE’s and RB’s. Backup Keontra Smith (22 tackles) gave the Hurricanes some great snaps off the bench throughout the season, while true freshman Chase Smith has enrolled early this spring to get a jump on learning the position.
Bottom Line
Linebacker is one of the key position groups Canes fans should be paying attention to this spring, as it is imperative that UM goes into the 2021 season with a better plan for the spot. Older players like Jennings and Steed have proven they are best suited for backup roles, so this spring will be about developing a few younger talents to take more of their snaps going forward. Ideally, Flagg and Brooks will prove they are ready to be every down ‘backers on Miami’s first unit, and a third younger player will demonstrate he is worthy of a part-time role as well; all of that is far from a guarantee, though. At the end of the day, linebacker will be fun to follow this spring to see if someone is standing out in this group, as the position is just so wide-open right now and it could be anyone. At striker, this camp and subsequent season will be about if Frierson can make the jump from good to great.
