A Look at the Linebackers

Coach Gillespie on the Linebackers

All three starters return to the linebacker corps for the Hurricane in 2016 – Trent Martin (6-2, 232), Matt Linscott (6-1, 223) and Craig Suits (6-0, 220).

Linscott, a former walk-on, was second on the team last year with 107 tackles, while leading the Hurricane in TFLs (16) and sacks (5). Martin, too, had triple-figure tackles for the year with 104 stops, including 14 TFLs, and added four forced fumbles and three pass break-up. Suits, who missed the first two games in 2015, ended the season with 43 tackles and 5.5 TFLs.

"There's great competition at the linebacker spot right now. We do have our three returning starters. Those guys have done an outstanding job, but their feeling the pressure of those guys behind them. They're really stepping up and pushing them, and I love that from a depth standpoint," said Tulsa Head Coach Phillip Montgomery.

"It's tough to play linebacker and stay healthy through the course of the season. Our young guys are playing really well, and our backups are really pushing our starters now and keeping them on edge. So, from that standpoint I feel good about it," added Montgomery.

Some of those pushing the starters include Petera Wilson (6-2, 230), Diamon Cannon (6-2, 232) and Micheal Thomas (6-0, 219). Wilson has seen valuable playing time the last two years, while Thomas has been a squad member and Cannon red-shirted as a true freshman a year ago.

In addition, seniors Matt Hickman (6-0, 227) and Conner Sherwood (6-3, 220), who both play important roles on special teams, add depth to the position as well. C.J. Gooden (6-1, 227) is a junior who brings experience to the linebacker corps, having totaled 30 tackles in his first two seasons.

A quartet of true freshmen –– Robert Revels III (6-3, 234), Cooper Edmiston (6-3, 245), D.J. Allen (5-11, 225) and Treyvon Reeves (6-3, 190) –– add depth to the position and give the linebacker corps a bright future.

Revels had 75 tackles and 10 QB hurries a year ago at Houston's John H. Reagan High School. Edmiston compiled 413 tackles in four years at Gatesville High School, while Allen played in only five games as a senior but tallied 113 stops and 20 TFLs his junior campaign at San Antonio's Brennan High School. Reeves totaled 127 stops and six pass break-ups as a senior safety at Fort Worth (Texas) Boswell High School.

A Look at the Linebackers

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Players Mentioned

Diamon Cannon

Cooper Edmiston

C.J. Gooden

Matt Hickman

Matt Linscott

Trent Martin

Treyvon Reeves

Robert Revels III

Conner Sherwood

Craig Suits

Micheal Thomas

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