Murray State University Athletics
Linebackers to Lead Defense in 2014
4/8/2014 5:24:00 PM | Football
The strength of the 2014 Murray State defense may line in its linebacker corps.
Despite losing its top tackler in Sam Small, the linebacking group returns five players that recorded at least 25 tackles a season ago.
Leading the way is senior Travis Taylor. Taylor ranked fifth on the team in tackles last season with 59. He also added 9.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries. He had at least seven tackles in five games, including a season-high nine tackles against UT Martin. He closed out the season with three tackles-for-loss and a pair of quarterback sacks against Eastern Kentucky.
Fellow senior Perry Cooper also returns for his second season with the Racers. Cooper started 10 games in the middle a season ago, and finished with 54 tackles. He recorded 11 tackles in a victory over Missouri State. He finished the season by registering a career-best 12 tackles against EKU, with the biggest tackle being the final tackle on a goaline stand to secure the win.
Anthony Hayes returns for his final season after serving as a team captain a year ago. He finished the 2013 season with 35 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His best game came against Jacksonville State where he made seven tackles, two tackles-for-loss and recovered a fumble.
Junior T-Ray Malone appeared in all 12 games last season, recording 33 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and two fumble recoveries. His best game last season came against UTM, where he posted seven tackles and recovered a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown.
Sophomore Jonathan Jackson saw action in the final eight games of his freshman season. He posted a season-high seven tackles against Tennessee Tech, and added six stops against UTM.
Redshirt Freshman Lamont Crittendon will look for playing time after practicing with the team last fall. He joined the Racers after earning honorable mention all-state honors at Austin High School.
The group will be bolstered in fall camp with the additions of junior college transfer St. Pierre Anilus and freshman Ethon Felton.
Despite losing its top tackler in Sam Small, the linebacking group returns five players that recorded at least 25 tackles a season ago.
Leading the way is senior Travis Taylor. Taylor ranked fifth on the team in tackles last season with 59. He also added 9.5 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries. He had at least seven tackles in five games, including a season-high nine tackles against UT Martin. He closed out the season with three tackles-for-loss and a pair of quarterback sacks against Eastern Kentucky.
Fellow senior Perry Cooper also returns for his second season with the Racers. Cooper started 10 games in the middle a season ago, and finished with 54 tackles. He recorded 11 tackles in a victory over Missouri State. He finished the season by registering a career-best 12 tackles against EKU, with the biggest tackle being the final tackle on a goaline stand to secure the win.
Anthony Hayes returns for his final season after serving as a team captain a year ago. He finished the 2013 season with 35 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. His best game came against Jacksonville State where he made seven tackles, two tackles-for-loss and recovered a fumble.
Junior T-Ray Malone appeared in all 12 games last season, recording 33 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and two fumble recoveries. His best game last season came against UTM, where he posted seven tackles and recovered a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown.
Sophomore Jonathan Jackson saw action in the final eight games of his freshman season. He posted a season-high seven tackles against Tennessee Tech, and added six stops against UTM.
Redshirt Freshman Lamont Crittendon will look for playing time after practicing with the team last fall. He joined the Racers after earning honorable mention all-state honors at Austin High School.
The group will be bolstered in fall camp with the additions of junior college transfer St. Pierre Anilus and freshman Ethon Felton.
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