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Missouri Tigers Positional Preview: Linebackers

By Josh McSwain

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New Head Coach Barry Odom was a linebacker for the Tigers during the doldrums of the 90’s and he will bring a new insight to the 2016 linebacker corps:

The defense as a whole was fine last season. The linebackers fit right in, led by Kentrell Brothers, who led the nation in total tackles with 152. But he is gone, moving on to the Minnesota Vikings. He leaves a solid group of linebackers, led by Michael Scherer.

Starters: Scherer, Donavin Newsom, Joey Burkett

Scherer and Newsom are both redshirt seniors from St. Louis. Scherer anchors the middle, and made 93 tackles last season, second on the team; including nine for loss. He has had over 90 tackles for two straight years and is one of the finest middle backers in the SEC. I see him earning at least season team All-SEC this season.

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Newsom was named the most improved linebacker in 2015 spring practice, and it carried over into the season as he racked up 63 tackles, including nine for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He should be in contention for an All-SEC nomination this season, and should push Scherer for tops on the team in tackles.

Burkett should get a starting position, but at just 210 pounds he is small for a linebacker. Still, he saw action in 11 games last season, racking up nine tackles. The redshirt junior from Jefferson City is entering his third year of action on the field, after playing on special teams in 2014 he saw a lot more time at linebacker.  

Key Reserves: Eric Beisel, Tanner Hull, Roderick Winters

Beisel is a redshirt junior from Fenton, Mo. and has played a lot on special teams each of the last two years. He made 19 tackles in 2014, with most coming on special teams and three last season, all on kickoff coverage. He should be able to push for playing time at linebacker this season, and his size at 225 pounds is an advantage.

Hull is a senior from Kansas City, and did not play last season. He has good size for a linebacker at 230 pounds, bigger than most of the other linebackers. If he can show durability against the run, he can become part of the rotation

Winters is a redshirt sophomore from Arlington, Texas. He missed all of the 2015 season with a foot injury, but coaches raved about his quickness for a 225 pounder. He should be able to push for playing time this season.

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