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The University of Mississippi Athletics
INSIDER: Linebackers Analysis
6/20/2007 | Football
By Ben Garrett
OleMissSports.com Insider
This summer, OleMissSports.com is filing a weekly report previewing each position area of the 2007 Ole Miss football team. Previous reports include a secondary analysis.
Overview: One of the biggest question marks headed into the 2007 Ole Miss football season is the linebacking corps, as losses of key contributors and depth must be resolved before the September 1 kickoff against
Obviously the loss of Butkus Award winner Patrick Willis is the most substantial departure, but the loss of swingman Rory Johnson doesn’t help either.
Newly-elevated linebacker coach David Corrao will attempt to establish a cohesive unit which includes sophomore Jonathan Cornell, who has seven games and one start at weakside linebacker under his belt from a year ago.
At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Cornell will be relied upon heavily to soften the blow left through the departure of Willis in the middle. Conversely, Cornell played outside last season, which allows the coaching staff to use him wherever he is most needed.
While the current roster is thin at the position, personnel moves have been made to help returnees Cornell, Brandon Thomas, and Antonio Turner. One of those switches includes early arrival Ashlee Palmer, who will be looked to for speed and athleticism but could end up at his natural position of safety depending on need at the position.
Palmer and Turner alternated at the Sam linebacker spot in the spring and will battle throughout fall practice for the starting nod. Palmer collected four tackles and one TFL in the spring game. Turner, a former running back, posted two solo stops in the spring game and appeared in nine games on defense in 2006.
Allen Walker was redshirted last year, but played linebacker in the spring and has the potential to contribute as he continues to progress.
The biggest surprise of the spring was sophomore Jamie Phillips who transferred to Ole Miss from Northwest (
In spring drills, Phillips was credited with five solo tackles, forced one fumble and broke up one pass during the Red-Blue Game. Phillips stands at 6-0, 220, and is slotted as the starter at the Will linebacker spot headed into the fall. Phillips has the opportunity to excel at the position due to his speed and size.
Highly touted signee Tony Fein, an army vet, arrived early in June and will be looked to for leadership once practice starts. At the age of 24, Fein is a talented bruiser who uses his size to face up offensive linemen at the line of scrimmage and his speed to wreck havoc from sideline-to-sideline. Fein should provide a viable option in the middle if Coach O decides to play Cornell outside.
Signee Lamar Brumfield will also be looked to as a potential starter once he arrives on campus at one of the outside linebacker positions.
Returning Starters: None
Key Returnees: Jonathan Cornell, Antonio Turner, Brandon Thomas, Allen Walker, LaDerrick Vaughn
Key Signees: Tony Fein, Lamar Brumfield, Jamie Phillips, Scottie Williams, Isaiah Smith, Ashlee Palmer
Key Losses: Patrick Willis, Rory Johnson
Quotable: sophomore Jonathan Cornell
On the summer workout program and the incoming signing class:
“This summer we are just working out and trying to get better. This freshmen class is hungry and trying to get better. They’re smart. I’m trying to show them how to do things. They're picking our schemes up quickly and demonstrating those schemes on the field.”
On his position at linebacker:
“Right now, we are just mixing and matching. Some days I’ll take snaps at Will (linebacker) and Tony (Fein) will take snaps at Mike (linebacker) and vice versa. We are all playing various positions and trying to get to know the defense the best we can to get ready for the season. I can play all three positions at linebacker, I just want to get on the field and make plays.”
On his role as leader of the linebackers:
“I feel myself stepping into a leadership role, but I’m not the only one. Whenever I feel like I’m slacking off, I step back and realize that these guys rely on me to lead. I have to suck it up and do my best.”
On the loss of Patrick Willis and Rory Johnson:
“We knew those guys weren’t going to be here forever. We have to look at the situation as a new opportunity for guys to step up and show what they can do. I think we have a lot of talent and potential. We have great coaches and a lot of hunger. We just have to take those things and produce.”
Linebacker coach David Corrao:
On the progress that has been made so far:
“As a group, these guys are working really hard to get better. We are just trying to find the best combination we can right now. It will be interesting to see what happens when we get more competition in the room. We don’t have the depth we have had the past few years, and guys are going to have to compete every day to keep their starting spot.”
On his overall assessment of the group thus far:
“Jonathan (Cornell) has really taking on the leadership role of the group. He has played the most, so he has to assume the lead role. Tony (Fein) arrived earlier this month and he looks great. He’s big and physical, and I know he’s anxious to play. He will be a mature influence on the room. Jamie Phillips showed us a lot of great things in the spring and I am very anxious to let Ashlee Palmer loose. He’s big, athletic and makes a lot of plays. I think as a group, we have to find the best combination to put on the field in the fall.”
On the loss of Patrick Willis and Rory Johnson:
“You don’t replace guys like that. What you hope for is that a player can develop like those guys. Patrick spent two years in this system and became the leader of our defense. That didn’t happen overnight. We have to find three guys that can play and three guys that can travel. Hopefully we will find those players.”
Final Analysis: Although this group is inexperienced going into the season, there is talent and new acquisitions through recruitment, which will be called upon early to contribute.
Middle linebacker Jonathan Cornell matured late last season and had a tremendous spring. He could be the most improved player in the fall and prove to be the next great linebacker to come through Ole Miss. Cornell uses his size well and has already become a vocal leader defensively.
Defensive Coordinator John Thompson and linebacker coach David Corrao have various options to fill the voids left by Willis and Johnson, but how they use those options will determine how effective the linebacking corps will be in the fall.
