Daily Debate: Who will start at Middle Linebacker in 2025?

[FrancisSawyer]

I'm not @DMoney but I thought I would take the initiative to spark discussion anyway.

With a brand new DC and defensive staff there will be a great opportunity for someone to claim the starting job at MLB. Is Popo Aguirre the guy? Does Adarius Hayes step up? Kellen Wiley? There has even been mention of Wes moving to the middle. What do you think?

 

[FrancisSawyer]

My pick is Adarius Hayes to start at MLB. I just don't see it in Popo.

 

[rok]

WLB: Bissainthe, Smith, Pruitt

MLB: Aguirre, Alderman, Hayes

Redshirt: Washington, Wiley, Marcelin

 

[Damiencane86]

My pick is Adarius Hayes to start at MLB. I just don't see it in Popo.

With Popo I think he was playing slower than he is based on not knowing his assignments fully. You can see film in season on certain plays where he was decisive and he looked plenty fast. If he wasn't taught properly or had issues grasping Guidry scheme that will make you look slower, less explosive. Hetherman has a good rep as a teacher and Popo is a great project to test that out.

 

[423Hurricane]

With Popo I think he was playing slower than he is based on not knowing his assignments fully. You can see film in season on certain plays where he was decisive and he looked plenty fast. If he wasn't taught properly or had issues grasping Guidry scheme that will make you look slower, less explosive. Hetherman has a good rep as a teacher and Popo is a great project to test that out.

Popo was injured for the better part of the season.

 

[DNordy]

I’d like to see a portal addition here.

 

[canes1996]

I think he’s not on the team yet.

 

[FrancisSawyer]

WLB: Bissainthe, Smith, Pruitt

MLB: Aguirre, Alderman, Hayes

Redshirt: Washington, Wiley, Marcelin

Thanks for the detailed response. So you like Popo here and that's fine. I just don't care much for what I saw from Alderman last year. That could have been the scheme and/or the lack of coaching. We'll see.

 

[Damiencane86]

Popo was injured for the better part of the season.

There you have it. Injury + not the best teachers at DC & LB coach will do it.

 

[FrancisSawyer]

I’d like to see a portal addition here.

I think he’s not on the team yet.

With the type of quality we have recruited at LB the past 3 cycles, if we can't find a Middle Linebacker on this roster to start this year then we have either major coaching issues or our recruiting department's evaluations are beyond bad. Either of the above or we have managed to recruit all outside linebackers with the exception of Popo which is straight incompetence.

I'm a big proponent of the portal and if the right guy is available then sure but we shouldn't have to go that route at this point. We could not have possibly missed on every LB on the roster.

 

[FrancisSawyer]

There you have it. Injury + not the best teachers at DC & LB coach will do it.

If that is the case then my pick is Popo at MLB. The thing is that we are going to have to see the young LBs start to play and show why they were so highly touted in the first place.

 

[BS85]

I'm not @DMoney but I thought I would take the initiative to spark discussion anyway.

With a brand new DC and defensive staff there will be a great opportunity for someone to claim the starting job at MLB. Is Popo Aguirre the guy? Does Adarius Hayes step up? Kellen Wiley? There has even been mention of Wes moving to the middle. What do you think?

 

[The U is back to work]

I think he’s not on the team yet.

This.

 

[FrancisSawyer]

However I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Smart A$$

 

[DTP]

If they take another portal linebacker that means whoever has been evaluating and recruiting linebackers needs to be fired. We’ve got like 5 second and third year guys who weren’t exactly considered project recruits. Especially considering we play with two linebackers a majority of the time.

 

[Jassid82]

Hayes or Popo need to be ready to go at MLB. And if they arent ready give Wiley Jr a shot... There is no reason we should be going to the portal for a MLB.

 

[canes1996]

With the type of quality we have recruited at LB the past 3 cycles, if we can't find a Middle Linebacker on this roster to start this year then we have either major coaching issues or our recruiting department's evaluations are beyond bad. Either of the above or we have managed to recruit all outside linebackers with the exception of Popo which is straight incompetence.

I'm a big proponent of the portal and if the right guy is available then sure but we shouldn't have to go that route at this point. We could not have possibly missed on every LB on the roster.

I don’t disagree and the importance of spring can’t be overstated. But this was a glaring issue last year and if a difference maker is available, I think you have to go that route.

 

[BigDikDaddyFromCincinnati]

I don’t disagree and the importance of spring can’t be overstated. But this was a glaring issue last year and if a difference maker is available, I think you have to go that route.

In my mind, this means like first team All-ACC caliber (or better). Last thing we need is yet another Alderman.
You thinking the same?

Before I get attacked, I don't mean to throw shade at Alderman. He's just nothing special.

 

[canes1996]

In my mind, this means like first team All-ACC caliber (or better). Last thing we need is yet another Alderman.
You thinking the same?

Before I get attacked, I don't mean to throw shade at Alderman. He's just nothing special.

Completely agree. To get someone on par or only marginally better at this point is worthless.

 

[canes732]

My pick is Adarius Hayes to start at MLB. I just don't see it in Popo.

Really I like what I saw from popo. Also want to see 22 a ton that kid can play just needs to beef up a bit and he can take 31s job. Love u Wes but u make too many mistakes kid