Season Grades: Did OSU’s Linebackers Live up to Expectations?

Coming into the 2017 season, myself and others pegged Oklahoma State’s linebackers as a sneaky might be the best group on defense pick. That was, in large part, due to some proven returning talent and an abundance of quality depth.

So let’s see how the group stacked up to our expectations — specifically in a season where the Cowboys came up short of our expectations on the whole.

Production

OSU was T19 in the nation and No. 2 in the Big 12 with 95 tackles for loss and 27.5 of those came from Cowboy linebackers. Of the 30 sacks made by Cowboys (T42 and 3rd in the Big 12), eight were at the hands of LBs, with Calvin Bundage (three) and Justin Phillips (2.5) leading the way.

The Cowboys gave up some yards on the ground but held teams to 3.6 yards per carry which was No. 27 nationally and No. 4 in the league. It’s hard to separate team production between the defensive line and the linebackers. These stats really reflect upon the front 7 as a unit with both groups sharing in the credit.

We could cherry pick uncover a telling stat that OSU’s defense had a 23.1-percent stuff rate (the share of opposing rushes that get stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage). That’s good for 25th-best in the nation. The D-line probably deserves the lion’s share of props but as a unit the front 7 performed well here.

But OSU did give up its fair share of long rush plays. The Cowboys came in T77 nationally and 6th in the Big 12 with 68 running plays allowed of 10 yards or more.

The Cowboys had trouble getting teams off of the field on third downs, especially against any QB more mobile than Nic Shimonek. That, again, falls to the linebacker group in a lot of ways.

Ultimately, the defense was not up to snuff, especially down the stretch, and there is not one group more important than linebacker, so they’ll take at least a heavy dose of the blame.

Production Grade: C+

Health and Dependability

The linebacker group saw regular trips to the trainer’s table. Redshirt sophomore Kevin Henry suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice after Week 1. Devin Harper stepped in behind Justin Phillips as No. 2 Will backer in Henry’s stead.

Kenneth Edison-McGruder also missed three games due to injury, but the Cowboys got plenty of production — and monster hits — from the human torpedo, Calvin Bundage.

The group was solid overall and Henry could be ready for a breakout season in 2018 if he is healthy.

Health and Dependability Grade: B-

Group MVP: Justin Phillips

My preseason prediction of an all-conference selection for Phillips didn’t pan out, but from a numbers standpoint — and as someone who just makes plays — I’m going with the junior from Pearland, Texas.

Phillips started every game at the Will linebacker spot and racked up 64 tackles (42 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss (most among LBs), 2.5 sacks, two interceptions (both for TDs), two pass breakups, and three forced fumbles (led team).

Phillips personally accounted for over one-third of the Cowboys’ 14 forced turnovers. His overall consistency and big-play ability makes him the obvious choice for me.

Who Departs

The Cowboys say goodbye to Chad Whitener, who led all Cowboy LBs with 76 total tackles and 50 solo. The senior Mike backer also grabbed 6.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one pass breakup and five QB hurries.

Kirk Tucker and Gyasi Akem were both productive mainstays and have also exhausted their eligibility. Brendan Vaughn was dismissed from the team.

Who Returns

Justin Phillips headlines a group of returning talent, along with Calvin Bundage and Kenneth Edison-McGruder, 2017’s 1a and 1b starters at Star linebacker.

Then there is a group of up-and-comers who will be depended upon heavily to contribute in 2018.

Patrick Macon looked otherworldly as the NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2016 but was apparently not ready to contribute last year and redshirted. If he’s picked up enough of the playbook to run the defense in Whitener’s stead, that would be huge. He’s a big hitter who’s more athletic than Whitener. Macon’s got potential in spades and two years left to realize it.

Depth players and special teams contributors like Amen Ogbongemiga, Kevin Henry and Devin Harper will be looked at to take the next step starting this spring. Maybe one of those will be the next Chad Whitener type that come out of no where and carve out a name for himself.

The Future

The Cowboys have signed two linebackers in the 2018 class and will probably stand pat with just two scholarships remaining and a need in the interior of the D-line. Kolby Peel, a high school safety who has signed to play an outside backer role and inside backer Blake Barron, both come in with a lot of potential but are likely redshirt candidates in 2018.

2018 recruit Aaron Brule, who made a visit this past weekend, is the only name worth watching who could slot in as an outside backer.

With the departure of Glenn Spencer, Oklahoma State is not only losing its defensive coordinator of the last five years, but also its linebackers coach of the last 10. What will this group look like? What defensive system will they play in? Those questions still need to be answered. At this point, we have no official word on who will be holding the clipboard in the LB room.

Final Grade: C+

C+ isn’t what you like to bring home on a report card but OSU’s defense regressed again this year and its hard to hand out any A+s.

The LB group was steady all year and made some big plays at big times. I think the defensive line is still probably the group that carried the defense the most. But all in all, the linebackers were what we expected — a solid group that outplayed its star ratings and brought its lunch pale every game.