Houston Cougars 2020 position previews: Linebacker
By: Jimmy Schofield
photo via uhcougars.com
With the 2020 season fast approaching, today we look at who will be playing at the linebacker position for defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Joe Cauthen. In his second season under head coach Dana Holgorsen , Cauthen has better suited personnel to attack more in his 4-2-5 scheme, which was the case his five previous seasons at Arkansas State.
Per his bio via uhcougars.com, under Cauthen’s direction, the Red Wolves have ranked among the top 21 teams in the nation each of his last four seasons in defensive touchdowns with 22 total over that span. The 2015 campaign saw A-State’s defense record an FBS-high eight touchdowns, while also leading the country in interceptions with a school FBS-era-record 26. During Cauthen’s time at Arkansas State, the Red Wolves totaled 79 interceptions, the seventh-best total nationally in that span. His attacking defense has been a menace behind the line as Arkansas State had at least five tackles for loss in 39 of its last 42 games and has ranked in the top 25 nationally in each of the last three seasons in TFLs including 13th in 2018.
Last season the Cougars defense allowed 179 yards-per-game rushing (85th nationally) on 5.2 yards-per-carry (117th). The pass defense did not fare much better, allowing 288.4 yards-per-game (124th) and overall, with 467.4 yards-per-game (118th) and 6.8 yards-per-play (127th). Those stats were an improvement however over 2018 in which the Cougars finished near the bottom nationally in nearly every major defensive statistic among the 129 FBS football programs. They finished 118th in points allowed (37.2 PPG), 115th in rushing defense (221.1 ypg) and 127th in total defense (496.8 ypg). They also were 90th in yards allowed per play (5.95).
Cauthen’s linebacking core consists of a middle linebacker, a strongside linebacker (SAM) and a hybrid weakside ‘backer/safety in which multiple players will play depending on the down and distance. The SAM will probably see the field much less than the ‘nickel’ defensive back spot as most teams run a more pass-happy version of the spread offensive scheme. Both the SAM and nickel spots will probably be interchangeable.
Last season, Grant Stuard (6-feet-1 inches, 210 pounds, Sr.) led the defense with 97 total tackles (62 solo), 9.5 tackles-for-loss and a sack to go along with 4 passes broken up. Because the Conroe-Oak Ridge product has such a nose for the ball, he will be moved over to the Will spot from where he played his first three seasons at nickel. His ‘heat sinking missile’ instincts are better suited in the box rather than in coverage. He will also help a defense that registered just 68 TFL and 22 sacks last season, good for 92nd and 90th nationally, respectively.
Though a bit undersized, Donavan Mutin (6-0, 222, Jr.) started all 12 games at the MIKE, or middle, linebacker spot last season. The Spring-Klein Collins product was third on the D with 61 total tackles (35 solo), while adding 4.5 TFL and had an interception among his 4 pass breakups. The former 3-star prospect seemed a bit hesitant early in the season as he looked to be thinking on his feet too much instead of just firing off to the ball. He also seemed to get overpowered by interior lineman at times, but in his second full season as a starter Mutin should improve confidence wise as he did as last season progressed. There were times his potential really flashed as he had a career high 8 tackles against a Washington State offense that threw plenty of shorter routes over the middle, which was fit for Mutin’s game which is based off quickness to the ball.
Terrance Edgeston (6-2, 220, Sr.) was in and out of the lineup last season due to an ankle injury early in the season but started six games out of seven appearances at the WILL. The Northeast Mississippi Community College product had 16 tackles (7 solo) and three TFL. Edgeston was a tackling machine at the JUCO level, averaging 10.4 tackles-per-game in 2018. With a hopefully full, healthy season the Faulkner, Mississippi native should add to the depth at both linebacker spots.
Zamar Kirven (6-3, 205, Jr.) started five games at the Will spot last season while Edgeston recovered from a high ankle sprain, which can be very tricky. After mainly playing special teams his true freshman season, the Mart product played well at times, registering 28 total tackles (17 solo), produced 3.5 TFL along with 2 passes defended including an interception. Though Mart is a small 2A school, Kirven demonstrated his athletic ability during his junior season in HS as he had 122 tackles (21 TFL), two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two defensive touchdowns.
Jordan Carmouche (6-2, 255, Sr.) has a lot of tread on his tires but is a MIKE linebacker size wise, that has the athleticism to play at either WILL or the SAM spots. A season after registering only 12 tackles in 9 games (2018) a season removed from playing defensive end at the JUCO level (Navarro), the Manvel product had five tackles in two games before succumbing to a season ending shoulder injury. Carmouche produced four sacks in six games at Navarro a season after playing at running back for SMU, in 2016.
Another linebacker thrown in the mix this season will be another JUCO transfer, Malik Robinson (6-0, 220, Jr.). Ranked the #2 outside linebacker among the JUCO ranks by ESPN, Robinson had 42 total tackles, including two TFL, a forced fumble and a pass breakup last season in just six games at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. In 2017, the Snellville, Georgia native played at North Carolina where he registered six tackles in 11 games, mainly on special teams. The 3-star commit inside linebacker at South Gwinnett High School where he had 96 total tackles his junior season.
As far as the SAM spot is concerned, it will be a battle between Amaud Wilson-Dalton (6-1, 215, RJr.) and Elijah Gooden (6-1, 230, RJr.). Jordan Moore (5-11, 192, So.) and JoVanni Stewart (5-8, 195, GTr.) may also see some time at this position if an extra defender is needed in the box but they’ll probably see most of their snaps at the nickel.
Though Wilson-Dalton has only 15 tackles (9 solo) with a pass defended and an interception in the past two seasons over 17 games, I’m personally hoping things click for the Cypress-Ranch product this season as he had an incredible high school career with 248 total tackles, 33 for loss, 28 sacks, 13 forced fumbles six fumble recoveries and five passes defensed. He’s added around 20 good pounds over his three seasons on Cullen Boulevard so I’m hoping he can find his way on the field somewhere.
Gooden will probably see the field against more run heavy teams such as Tulane, Navy and Cincinnati. The Boling product hasn’t seen the field much over his first three seasons, participating in 24 career games (mainly on special teams) in which he’s amassed 19 total tackles (13 solo), 1.5 TFL, a sack and two forced fumbles. He only played in one game last season taking a redshirt due to an undisclosed injury. He had a star-studded career at 2A power Boling, leading them to the 2016 state title while rushing for over 3,500 career yards and registering nearly 150 tackles and 18 sacks.
After starting his career at Texas A&M (playing in four games mainly on special teams), Moore transferred last spring and was granted immediate eligibility, playing in nine games and starting one, in which he had 23 total tackles (14 solo), two passes defended and two fumble recoveries. As a 4-star out of Yoakum, Moore had 117 tackles his senior season (2017) with 11 passes defended and 7 interceptions. During his junior season he added 11 interceptions with an amazing FIVE ‘pick-6’s.’ He also had over 4,500 yards from scrimmage and 68 touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball at running back and receiver over the course of his high school career.
Stewart meanwhile will probably see the field against more of the 2020 schedule’s pass happy teams such as Memphis, North Texas, UCF, SMU and Tulsa. The Katy native transferred from West Virginia where he started 16 games over the past three seasons, mainly at strong safety and participated in 41 total. 2018 was his best season as he had 54 total tackles, 38 solo, at a hybrid linebacker/nickel spot as he added 10.5 TFL and four sacks. For his career, Stewart has 67 total tackles, 50 solo, 12.5 TFL, 4 sacks and a fumble recovery. This after a stellar prep career, helping the Tigers win 6A state championships in 2012 and 2015. During his senior season, Stewart led the defense with 101 total tackles, 10 sacks and 8 forced fumbles as they allowed just 3.9 points-per-game in 16 games.
The linebackers will be key this season as they gain experience which is crucial as they must make sure both the defensive line and secondary are on the same page. Stay logged into Coogfans for more position preview articles as we have less than a month to go before kickoff at Memphis on Sept. 19.
