I hope this happens...

[JasonB]

According to the DMN...

UNIVERSITY PARK – Several backup linebackers will play more when SMU visits Fresno State on Saturday night.

Redshirt freshman Avery Cleveland is expected to see more time at middle linebacker behind starter Rico Harris. Redshirt freshman Zach Hall (Irving) will alternate with Don Ieremia-Stansbury at strongside.

Walk-on freshman Cliff Booker, a speedy 6-2, 222 pounds, will play in the middle and on some nickel packages.

Also...
Defensive end Charlie Berry (Highland Park) is challenging starter Justin Rogers



Linebacker is our worst position. I think if Avery can get some PT and push Rico outside, that is probably the best thing we have. Hall is probably too slow on the outside for containment, but he might be able to help out with the off tackle. I am not sure how Charlie Berry is against the run, but we have had a lot of trouble with RBs running off of Rogers/McCray side of the line. I would like to see some more people get a shot at stuffing that, even if it affects our pass rush a little bit.

[giacfsp]

I disagree that LB is our worst position. It is, however, our most depleted position because of injuries. Wilton McCray, for all his effort this year, should be a spot replacement this year. Most players at many programs don't see the field until their sophomore or junior years. Yet we've had McCray playing every game (and playing well at times, playing like a freshman at other times), and Avery Cleveland, Zach Hall, Landon Dyer (a walk-on true freshman, no less) getting more time than they would have if Reggie Carrington and D.D. Lee were still in there. Getting those two back next year will alter the defense immensely.

Charlie Berry is better against the run than I thought he'd be. He's not as big as many of us would like, but he actually hangs in there against much bigger blockers, and fights them off to make a few plays here and there. Stick him in with Coach Faucette in the weight room for another year and he might just turn out to be a pretty solid DE (although I'd like to see a lot more pass rushing from him .... and from all the DEs).