A Look at the 2009 SFA Linebackers
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:24 pmA Look at the 2009 SFA Linebackers
Junior Jabara Williams leads a very strong group of Lumberjack LBs
Sept. 1, 2009
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The SFA defense enters the season with two preseason All-Americans, and one of those two honorees is a member of the Lumberjack linebackers. An imposing figure, junior Jabara Williams returns to lead what should be one of the top linebacker corps in the nation, not to mention the Southland Conference.
Along with Williams, the Lumberjack also return sophomore Derrick Choice and Devin Ducote, who will provide SFA with a solid 1-2-3 punch in the middle of the defense. Williams headlines this group coming off and incredible sophomore season.
Williams, a 6-3, 225-pound athlete from nearby Garrison, recorded a breakout season last year leading the league with 132 total tackles, including six for losses and three sacks. Williams, who finished among the nation's top 10 in tackles per game, also led the team with three interceptions.
"Jabara still has some things that he can get better at," said defensive coordinator David Gibbs. "But, he is just a great football player. More than anything else, people need to understand that he is a great kid. He is a professional in every aspect of his life, whether it's on the field, in the classroom or dealing with folks in the community. He handles himself as if he is on a job interview everyday."
Williams has garnered a majority of the headlines during the offseason being named to four preseason All-America squads. He has also been named to the 2009 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, which is an award that is handed out to the top defensive player at the NCAA Division FCS level.
Choice is another linebacker who is on the verge of national attention. The Tyler, Texas, native, was second on the team with 98 tackles during his rookie season. He posted 10.5 tackles for losses, which also ranked second on the team.
"Derrick has the opportunity to be one of the best linebackers that has ever come through SFA," said Gibbs. "He has the speed of a defensive back and the quickness and change of direction like a running back, and he plays with the mentality that all coaches want to see in their linebackers. He's got a chance to be a great football player by the time its all said and done."
After sitting out the 2008 season with an injury, Ducote has bulked up for his sophomore season. One of the few bright spots during the 2007 campaign, Ducote started seven games and finished second on the team with his 66 tackles from his safety position.
"Devin took advantage of his injury year, and spent a lot of time around me," said Gibbs. "He is now better able to see what I'm looking for on the field, and he has the ability to help get other players in the right spot. Devin is the glue on defense. He is the guy that holds it all together."
Behind the three starters, the Lumberjacks will be very young. The current backups include two freshmen and a sophomore, but I would argue that is not necessarily a negative for SFA fans. Just look at the success of Williams during his sophomore campaign and Choice during his rookie season.
"Our older guys are real solid and have been able to show the younger guys what is expected of them," said Gibbs. "That is real helpful considering our backups are new guys, either freshmen or transfers. The guys who are our veterans didn't have that opportunity. They were really just kind of thrown into the fire early on due to depth."
Freshman Ryan Epperson is listed as the backup behind Williams on the 'Jacks' depth chart. The 6-1, Chandler, Texas native was a highly-touted prospect coming out of Brownsboro High School listed among the state's top 40 recruits.
"Ryan is getting better everyday," said Gibbs. "We're going to need him to play for us this season. We expect him to be a part of that everyday rotation at linebacker."
Behind Choice the Lumberjacks will turn to California-native Romeo Robinson. At 5-9, 210-pounds, the LA Harbor College transfer may not be overwhelming in size, but he is not afraid to step up and make a hit.
"Romeo's never going to be the biggest kid on the field," said Gibbs. "But he is real athletic and just flies around the field. He's a real smart kid, and I'm pleased with how well he's picked up our system. He's been a real bright spot for us."
Gibbs is looking at two different players to back up Ducote at the Will linebacker. Sophomore Dwane Davis and true freshman Ryan Hamlett are currently locked in a battled for the second-team roster spot.
"We've been playing Dwane Davis and Ryan Hamlett in that spot," said Gibbs. "Dwane has been around for year, knows what we're looking for on the field, while Ryan is in his first season. Ryan is an extremely talented young guy we have in the rotation, but we're hoping that we can redshirt him this season."
Junior Jabara Williams leads a very strong group of Lumberjack LBs
Sept. 1, 2009
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The SFA defense enters the season with two preseason All-Americans, and one of those two honorees is a member of the Lumberjack linebackers. An imposing figure, junior Jabara Williams returns to lead what should be one of the top linebacker corps in the nation, not to mention the Southland Conference.
Along with Williams, the Lumberjack also return sophomore Derrick Choice and Devin Ducote, who will provide SFA with a solid 1-2-3 punch in the middle of the defense. Williams headlines this group coming off and incredible sophomore season.
Williams, a 6-3, 225-pound athlete from nearby Garrison, recorded a breakout season last year leading the league with 132 total tackles, including six for losses and three sacks. Williams, who finished among the nation's top 10 in tackles per game, also led the team with three interceptions.
"Jabara still has some things that he can get better at," said defensive coordinator David Gibbs. "But, he is just a great football player. More than anything else, people need to understand that he is a great kid. He is a professional in every aspect of his life, whether it's on the field, in the classroom or dealing with folks in the community. He handles himself as if he is on a job interview everyday."
Williams has garnered a majority of the headlines during the offseason being named to four preseason All-America squads. He has also been named to the 2009 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, which is an award that is handed out to the top defensive player at the NCAA Division FCS level.
Choice is another linebacker who is on the verge of national attention. The Tyler, Texas, native, was second on the team with 98 tackles during his rookie season. He posted 10.5 tackles for losses, which also ranked second on the team.
"Derrick has the opportunity to be one of the best linebackers that has ever come through SFA," said Gibbs. "He has the speed of a defensive back and the quickness and change of direction like a running back, and he plays with the mentality that all coaches want to see in their linebackers. He's got a chance to be a great football player by the time its all said and done."
After sitting out the 2008 season with an injury, Ducote has bulked up for his sophomore season. One of the few bright spots during the 2007 campaign, Ducote started seven games and finished second on the team with his 66 tackles from his safety position.
"Devin took advantage of his injury year, and spent a lot of time around me," said Gibbs. "He is now better able to see what I'm looking for on the field, and he has the ability to help get other players in the right spot. Devin is the glue on defense. He is the guy that holds it all together."
Behind the three starters, the Lumberjacks will be very young. The current backups include two freshmen and a sophomore, but I would argue that is not necessarily a negative for SFA fans. Just look at the success of Williams during his sophomore campaign and Choice during his rookie season.
"Our older guys are real solid and have been able to show the younger guys what is expected of them," said Gibbs. "That is real helpful considering our backups are new guys, either freshmen or transfers. The guys who are our veterans didn't have that opportunity. They were really just kind of thrown into the fire early on due to depth."
Freshman Ryan Epperson is listed as the backup behind Williams on the 'Jacks' depth chart. The 6-1, Chandler, Texas native was a highly-touted prospect coming out of Brownsboro High School listed among the state's top 40 recruits.
"Ryan is getting better everyday," said Gibbs. "We're going to need him to play for us this season. We expect him to be a part of that everyday rotation at linebacker."
Behind Choice the Lumberjacks will turn to California-native Romeo Robinson. At 5-9, 210-pounds, the LA Harbor College transfer may not be overwhelming in size, but he is not afraid to step up and make a hit.
"Romeo's never going to be the biggest kid on the field," said Gibbs. "But he is real athletic and just flies around the field. He's a real smart kid, and I'm pleased with how well he's picked up our system. He's been a real bright spot for us."
Gibbs is looking at two different players to back up Ducote at the Will linebacker. Sophomore Dwane Davis and true freshman Ryan Hamlett are currently locked in a battled for the second-team roster spot.
"We've been playing Dwane Davis and Ryan Hamlett in that spot," said Gibbs. "Dwane has been around for year, knows what we're looking for on the field, while Ryan is in his first season. Ryan is an extremely talented young guy we have in the rotation, but we're hoping that we can redshirt him this season."