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Spring Spotlight: Linebackers
4/16/2019 4:55:00 PM | Football
This spring the Racer football team returns to Roy Stewart Stadium in preparation for the 2019 season. Over the course of the entire spring camp, Go Racers.com will shine the spot light on each of the position groups and talk with their specific coach to get their thoughts on the spring in general, who is returning and what they will be working on over the next five weeks.
Who's Returning
The Racers return seven linebackers from last season including Kendrick Catis and Anthony Koclanakis, who are the team's top two returning tacklers from a season ago, at 74 and 66, respectively.
Who's Gone
While the Racers lost five total linebackers from last year's team, arguably the biggest loss was All-OVC selection Quincy Williams. Williams had a team best 111 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, and two interceptions last year.
Coach's Corner
Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach Jake Johnson
GR: Who are some of the returners out here for you this spring and what you are expecting out of them?
JJ: We have two returning starters in Kendrick Catis and Anthony Koclanakis, both of those guys played the majority of reps for us last season at their positions. Both of them did a good job and I think both were in the running for postseason accolades. They have both done a good job so far, but their backups are also back. They have Eric Samuta, who  played a lot at MIKE, played a lot of quality minutes for us last year and Darnell Victor, who as a freshman played a lot and should see his role increase some this year. We also have more backups returning at different positions like Jason Johnson and Ed McGhee at the SAM linebacker.
GR: With just a couple weeks left in spring camp, what are some positives you have seen out of your guys thus far?
JJ: We have done a really god job of playing with speed, playing a little bit faster than we did last year because we have upgraded some talent at some different spots. Now we have some guys that are playing with a little bit more of an edge, a little bit more speed. Obviously, we always have to get better at open field tackling when you play against an offense like our offense that puts guys out in space a bunch and we have to continue to work at that. We are getting really good at our run fits, so that's positive.
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GR: What are some some areas in which your guys still need some improvement?
JJ: I think we can always improve on our coverage skills, just individual ball skills, things like that. We've been working daily at that, but I think that is something we can always get better at. With the linebacker position, being a hybrid position, when you evaluate guys it's hard to see those ball skills all the time, so we just have to keep working on that.
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Who's Returning
The Racers return seven linebackers from last season including Kendrick Catis and Anthony Koclanakis, who are the team's top two returning tacklers from a season ago, at 74 and 66, respectively.
Who's Gone
While the Racers lost five total linebackers from last year's team, arguably the biggest loss was All-OVC selection Quincy Williams. Williams had a team best 111 tackles, including 9.5 for loss, and two interceptions last year.
Coach's Corner
Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers Coach Jake Johnson
GR: Who are some of the returners out here for you this spring and what you are expecting out of them?
JJ: We have two returning starters in Kendrick Catis and Anthony Koclanakis, both of those guys played the majority of reps for us last season at their positions. Both of them did a good job and I think both were in the running for postseason accolades. They have both done a good job so far, but their backups are also back. They have Eric Samuta, who  played a lot at MIKE, played a lot of quality minutes for us last year and Darnell Victor, who as a freshman played a lot and should see his role increase some this year. We also have more backups returning at different positions like Jason Johnson and Ed McGhee at the SAM linebacker.
GR: With just a couple weeks left in spring camp, what are some positives you have seen out of your guys thus far?
JJ: We have done a really god job of playing with speed, playing a little bit faster than we did last year because we have upgraded some talent at some different spots. Now we have some guys that are playing with a little bit more of an edge, a little bit more speed. Obviously, we always have to get better at open field tackling when you play against an offense like our offense that puts guys out in space a bunch and we have to continue to work at that. We are getting really good at our run fits, so that's positive.
Â
GR: What are some some areas in which your guys still need some improvement?
JJ: I think we can always improve on our coverage skills, just individual ball skills, things like that. We've been working daily at that, but I think that is something we can always get better at. With the linebacker position, being a hybrid position, when you evaluate guys it's hard to see those ball skills all the time, so we just have to keep working on that.
Â
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