Spartan Echo

Stellar linebacker play has been a hallmark of Norfolk State’s defenses for much of the past decade. Despite the departure of two All-MEAC linebackers, defensive coordinator Jerry Holmes doesn’t expect that to change. The main reason: Holmes believes his unit has the combination of athleticism and intelligence that he requires for those positions.

First, the departures. Outside ‘backer Lynden Trail capped his famed NSU career as a three-time All-American last year and is currently in training camp with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Marcell Coke was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter at inside linebacker, amassing 215 tackles over the last two seasons. Trail was a three-time All-MEAC first-team pick, while Coke earned third-team honors after last season.

But Holmes did not find the cupboard bare when he came to NSU. Deon King (6-1, 235) enters his third year as a starter and has received the much-deserved spotlight entering his senior year. King has been named to the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Watch List and to the FCS Preseason All-America second team by STATS. The two-time All-MEAC honoree led NSU with 18 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last season. King was second to Coke on the team in total tackles last season, with 106. He has 36.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks in his two years as a starter.

Holmes expects King to have a similarly big impact this year, even as King moves to inside linebacker from his previous position as a pass-rushing outside linebacker/defensive end.

“Deon is such a smart player,” Holmes said. “He recognizes formations and his eyes are always in the right place. His ability to play the pass is another strength of his.”

NSU’s other returning starter at linebacker is also quite experienced – senior Lamar Neal (6-0, 250) started 11 games at the inside linebacker spot next to Coke last season. Neal amassed 85 tackles, 3.5 for loss last season. He is a physical run-stopper.

“Lamar isn’t afraid to knock heads with anybody,” Holmes said. “He is real physical, and that is ideal for that position.”

Kyle Archie (6-0, 230), Anthony Smith (6-0, 240), Antwan White (6-0, 210) and Raynard Revels (6-1, 230) all figure to battle for playing time behind King and Neal. Archie showed the knack for making the big hit in his limited playing time last year. He made 12 tackles and broke up two passes. Smith, meanwhile, played in just one game last season but has impressed the new staff. White was a special teams regular as a true freshman in 2014, while Revels is a transfer from Lackawanna Junior College.

“Kyle is very energetic and brings a lot of enthusiasm to the team, while Anthony is a very physical presence,” Holmes said. “Antwan does a nice job of securing his gaps, and Raynard is new to our system but has a lot of junior college experience.”

With Trail’s departure and King’s move to inside linebacker, the Spartans will have two new starters on the outside this year. Juniors Rodney Smith Jr. (6-3, 235) and Jay Anderson (6-1, 210) are atop the depth chart at those two positions heading into the season-opener. Neither recorded eye-opening numbers last year – Smith had nine tackles and one sack, Anderson had three total tackles – but both saw meaningful reps off the bench in 2014.

“Jay has long arms and is athletic enough to both rush off the edge and drop to the flats to cover the pass,” Holmes said. “Rodney plays great in space and is also effective at bull-rushing. He is another very intelligent player.”

Three-year letterwinner Justin Gant (6-2, 230) and redshirt sophomores Jonathan Okafor (6-2, 215) and T.C. Livingston (6-3, 205) also return and got valuable snaps in spring practice. Gant is the most seasoned of the group, having played in 29 career games and making 20 tackles in his Spartan career.

“Justin is a real physical player, and Jonathan has a good combination of strength and size,” Holmes said. “T.C. is very athletic and can help us not just at linebacker, but on a number of special teams, as well.”

Like Anthony Smith, Ernest Holden (6-0, 230) did not see much time last season, but has worked hard in the offseason to earn playing time. He along with incoming recruits James Chapman (6-1, 225) and Nigel Chavis (6-2, 210) and redshirt freshman James Byers (6-3, 220) will push hard for snaps on defense.

“The key for our guys is that combination of smarts and athleticism,” Holmes said. “Once the guys learn their roles and it becomes second nature to them, their athletic ability will allow them to play as fast as they can and cause confusion for the offense.”

Originally posted on NSUSpartans.com | Used with permission