2018 LBs

[Uwe.Blab]

I have not followed the development of the younger LB's. What is the rundown on the guys competing to be starters? Do we have a Joel Lanning on the roster? (kidding...)

 

[Harbinger273]

No Joel Lanning. Niemann, Welch, Jones, Hockaday, Mends are the top guys in competition to fill the LB spots next year.

 

[IowaHawkeyeFBnBB4Life]

Kristian Welch will be a stud

 

[And1Hawk]

We will be better at one of the three LBs spots next year.

 

[Krauthawk]

Kristian Welch will be a stud

Agreed. Love his size and the way he hits!

 

[MepoDawg#]

We will be better at one of the three LBs spots next year.

Little Niemann better than big bro? Obviously you’re talking about Bower’s replacement.

 

[David1979]

I agree about Welch. He is a really good athlete and has good size.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

The LB situation going into 2018 will be non-ideal from a positional experience standpoint. However, the group likely will not be lacking in terms of ability. Furthermore, the group should have a mighty fine DL in front of them and a good group of safeties behind them. It will be interesting to see how things shake out at CB. There will be both experience and talent at CB ... but if Josh bolts ... we'll need the new starters to elevate their respective games. Nothing will be a given for that group ....

 

[ichawk24]

Phil Parker has mentioned having Hooker or Gervase slide down to OLB in certain situations.

 

[StormHawk42]

Would like to see Mends and/or Jones be able to put it all together finally. They can hit and are physical specimens. My guess is they just haven't been able to grasp coverages and assignments as well.

 

[Harbinger273]

I've been waiting on these guys for a whole year. I know Bower was strong and steady, but j wish one of the up an comers could have started there this year. I'm excited about the potential of the guys we have. Agreed, Welch is a stud athlete, Jones is a physical presence with a high motor also a great athlete. Niemann has the tools and the pedigree. (Obviously these are my starters for next seas.)

 

[hawkguy77]

We will be better at one of the three LBs spots next year.

Bo is out of eligibility, I plan to say nothing negative about him. The coaches thought he was the best option, so I will accept their decision.

 

[HawkAlum2002]

I'm hoping Mends can have one good year as a starter like Alston and Fisher had in recent years where all the practice pays off. He's shown nothing so far to indicate that will happen, but neither did either of those guys. Alston was second team all-B10 he just was surrounded by other first year guys so took a lot of blame as the MLB that wasn't his fault, and Fisher was great in the Rose Bowl year though he didn't garner the same honors.