2016 Linebacker Preview: The Anchors of The IU Defensive Ship

Written By Alex Compton 

In another disappointing season for the Indiana defense, the one bright spot was the growth and production of the linebacking corps. In 2016, a majority of the unit will be back and ready for more. Before we dive into the guys that will make up the “2” of the 4-2-5 defense this year, keep in mind that the husky position will function much like an outside linebacker or striker would. Those guys have been left out of this preview, as we will only focus on the traditional linebackers to avoid confusion.

Over the last few seasons, Coach Wilson has very quietly been assembling one of the league’s most talented units at linebacker. The production was expected, yet absent in the recent past. However, 2015 proved to be the breakout season for the unit if you will. The top three guys last year combined to total 249 tackles to go along with a mess of sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles and recoveries. The unit was a bright spot on a very underwhelming defense, and many of the same guys are back to help the defense take a major jump under new defensive coordinator Tom Allen. 

The Anchors

The three guys I mentioned above are all back. TJ Simmons, Tegray Scales, and Marcus Oliver are as good as any unit in the B1G, and it will be on them to not only produce, but to lead a young and talented defense. Linebacker play will be huge in this defense that preaches aggressiveness and depends on versatility. All three guys have the skillset to thrive in this scheme, and should continue their solid play in 2016.

#44- Marcus Oliver

Besides becoming the first Indiana player to record 100 tackles in a season since Matt Mayberry in 2009, Marcus Oliver just always seemed to be in the right place at the right time in 2015. Coming off of an ACL tear suffered in the win at Missouri in 2014, he was an All-Big Ten honorable mention, named a captain, and was named IU’s defensive teammate of the year in his redshirt sophomore season. He totaled 112 stops with 65 solos, led the team with four forced fumbles, had one sack, 6.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and four pass breakups. In short? He did it all for Indiana last season in 13 starts. 

He was certainly in the conversation for Indiana’s best player not named Feeney, Spriggs or Sudfeld last year, and at times was the best defender on either team. This season, Oliver figures to be even better. His numbers will inflate with only two linebackers on the field, but it will now be his job to situate the new-looked defense properly. He will align the coverages, adjust the blitzes and shift the defensive line all while putting himself in the best position to make plays. While only two “true” linebackers will be on the field at a time, Oliver will be one of them at all times until he gets tired. He is IU’s general on defense, and will likely garner All-B1G honors again in his junior season if his play improves as expected. 

#8- Tegray Scales

Tegray was one of Indiana’s most touted recruits so far in the Kevin Wilson era, and he has not disappointed. His numbers improved as a sophomore, as he racked up 64 tackles (40 solo), 3 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 4 pass breakups. He is an incredible athlete, and his ability allows him to be the most versatile of the three. He is really solid in coverage, as he has shown the ability to play solid man coverage on both running backs and tight ends. He will likely split snaps with TJ Simmons, and the situation will ultimately determine who is on the field for the particular play/ series. Passing and blitzing downs will likely mean Scales is on the field, while obvious run or short yardage situations would fit Simmons’ skillset much better. Scales is in line for another big season, and his really solid career here so far in Bloomington should continue to only get better. 

#2- TJ Simmons

If I had to make a list of players that have been the most underappreciated during their careers so far, I think Simmons tops that list. He is currently Indiana’s active leader in tackles and solo tackles with 213 and 122 respectively. He has had 68, 72, and 73 tackles in his first three seasons, and will most likely be right around that mark again. He is one of IU’s most consistent performers, and is a really good run stopper. His pass rushing abilities from the second level are impressive as well, and Tom Allen will likely think of some creative ways to use him in 2016. He has appeared in all 37 games so far with 35 starts, and I would expect 13 more games and a bunch more tackles this season. Simmons along with Scales and Oliver is a really formidable 1-2-3 punch, and one that will likely have the Big Ten on notice this season. 

Rotation Guys

#43- Dameon Willis Jr.

Willis Jr. showed he has all of the skills necessary to become a really good starting linebacker in the Big Ten as a redshirt freshman last season. He should be either the first or second guy off of the sideline when the two of the three “anchors” aren’t on the field together. He will likely play some special teams again this season as well, as his athleticism proved to be very valuable last season.

#29- Dawson Fletcher

One of the more versatile players on the Indiana defense due to his time spent as both a defensive back and linebacker. In his first season as a linebacker last year, he proved to be a valuable sub due to his ability to pick up receivers coming out of the backfield. He’s very good in the passing game, and his run stopping abilities are coming along as well. Tom Allen should find a whole bunch of ways to use him effectively this year.

Wildcards

#41- Clyde Newton

An absolute tank in between the hashes, Newton is an interesting guy to watch this season. He was a dominant running back in high school, and has been switched to running back this summer. While running backs coach Deland McCullough has said he'd play, It is still uncertain as to how much he will be used on offense. If he plays on defense again this year, Newton projects as a short yardage/ running downs sub who will be used to stop the run. He started every game last season, and really quietly had a very strong year. The coaching staff has to decide how much they really want him to play on offense, because his abilities can certainly come in handy on defense. Rare in this time of college football, Newton can be one of a very few two-way players.

 

#4- Chris Covington

A one-time quarterback, Covington spent most of last season getting used to linebacker after playing QB his freshman season. He appeared in the final 8 games of 2015, but only made 4 tackles (all against Penn State). He is a really good athlete, and one of the linebackers that would be best used to help set the edge and push ball carriers to the sideline. Nobody is really sure at this point just how productive Covington can be at the LB spot, but I’m sure the coaching staff is willing to find out in year two as a full-time linebacker. He could make some plays, or he could be a special teamer. We’ll just have to see. 

#40- Reakwon Jones

The former three-star recruit brings great size to the position at 6’2”-230, and spent his freshman season in 2015 redshirting. With four years left to play, Jones will be one of my favorite guys to watch develop. He is an incredible athlete and is one of the longer guys on defense. He was named the scout team player of the week SIX times last season, and figures to make some sort of impact at various points during the year. The depth chart is crowded, but Jones is going to be a fun guy to watch as soon as this season when he gets on the field. 

Bottom Line

For the first time in a long time, Indiana has quality depth at linebacker. Big time plays are going to be made by all of these guys, and it will likely change from game to game. Behind Simmons, Oliver and Scales, the Hoosiers have a really solid young nucleus to build around for years to come. The unit is as talented as it has ever been, and hopefully that will allow this defense to really turn it around this year. 

They were the only bright spot on a bad defense last year, and Hoosier fans everywhere should expect this to be the strength of a much-improved unit this year. Is it September 1st yet?