With just a few days left before kick off it looks like we are going to be able to complete our offensive and defensive units. Looking at the candidates for linebacker made me realize that while there is a lot of potential in the conference at the position there really isn't a lot of experience.
Cast your vote in the poll on the right sidebar and we'll take the top three vote getters. Yes, our All Conference team is going to run a 4-3 defense.
Alvin Bowen - Iowa State
Last Season: Recorded 155 tackles in 12 games and led the nation averaging 12.91 tackles per game. Recorded 20 tackles against Toledo, 18 against Kansas, 17 against Nebraska and 15 against Iowa.
Last Season: Recorded 155 tackles in 12 games and led the nation averaging 12.91 tackles per game. Recorded 20 tackles against Toledo, 18 against Kansas, 17 against Nebraska and 15 against Iowa.
Jordan Dizon - Colorado
Last Season: On the year, he racked up 137 tackles (80 solo), the most by a Buff in nine years (1997, when Ryan Sutter had 170) and the highest count by a linebacker since Matt Russell had the same number when he won the Butkus Award in 1996. His 17 third down stops on the season were just one shy of the school record, as Chad Brown had 18 in 1992, a number equaled by Brian Iwuh in 2005. He also added two hurries, two chasedowns (near sacks), recovered two fumbles, forced one fumble, a pass deflection and two touchdown saves. The 19 tackles he had against NU tied for the most by a Buff in a single game since 1999, and he had 10 or more tackles in eight of 12 games on the year.
Last Season: On the year, he racked up 137 tackles (80 solo), the most by a Buff in nine years (1997, when Ryan Sutter had 170) and the highest count by a linebacker since Matt Russell had the same number when he won the Butkus Award in 1996. His 17 third down stops on the season were just one shy of the school record, as Chad Brown had 18 in 1992, a number equaled by Brian Iwuh in 2005. He also added two hurries, two chasedowns (near sacks), recovered two fumbles, forced one fumble, a pass deflection and two touchdown saves. The 19 tackles he had against NU tied for the most by a Buff in a single game since 1999, and he had 10 or more tackles in eight of 12 games on the year.
Mark Dodge - Texas A&M
Last Season: Saw action in 13 games ... finished with 51 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for losses and a forced fumble ... also produced two interceptions and broke up another opponent aerial ... both interceptions were crucial fourth quarter pickoffs ... two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week ... posted a career high 17 tackles and had an interception against Nebraska for his first POW ... earned his second after making a fourth down stop and a fourth quarter interception against Texas...posted a team high eight tackles in the Holiday Bowl vs. Cal.
Last Season: Saw action in 13 games ... finished with 51 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for losses and a forced fumble ... also produced two interceptions and broke up another opponent aerial ... both interceptions were crucial fourth quarter pickoffs ... two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week ... posted a career high 17 tackles and had an interception against Nebraska for his first POW ... earned his second after making a fourth down stop and a fourth quarter interception against Texas...posted a team high eight tackles in the Holiday Bowl vs. Cal.
Rodrick Johnson - Oklahoma State
Last Season: Finished third on the team with 69 tackles, including 39 solo stops ...
Had eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including two sacks ... Started 10 games at middle linebacker ... Had a season-best 11 tackles and recovered a fumble against Houston ... Had nine stops against Oklahoma ... Recorded eight tackles against Texas ... Against Texas A&M, he was credited with 3.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including a quarterback sack ... Broke up a pass against Baylor and Texas A&M ... Had six tackles against Alabama in the bowl game.
Last Season: Finished third on the team with 69 tackles, including 39 solo stops ...
Had eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including two sacks ... Started 10 games at middle linebacker ... Had a season-best 11 tackles and recovered a fumble against Houston ... Had nine stops against Oklahoma ... Recorded eight tackles against Texas ... Against Texas A&M, he was credited with 3.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including a quarterback sack ... Broke up a pass against Baylor and Texas A&M ... Had six tackles against Alabama in the bowl game.
Robert Killebrew - Texas
Last Season: Started 12 games, missing the Texas Tech game due to a knee injury. Posted 40 tackles, four TFL, three pressures and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a TD.
Last Season: Started 12 games, missing the Texas Tech game due to a knee injury. Posted 40 tackles, four TFL, three pressures and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a TD.
Nick Moore - Baylor
Last Season: Moore appeared in all 12 games and started 11 as a junior when he finished No. 2 on the squad in tackles with 75 stops (32 solos) ... Also recorded a team co-leading two forced fumbles and was tied for fifth on the team in tackles for loss (four) to go with three quarterback hurries, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery ... Finished 21st in Big 12 (No. 15 among linebackers) with 6.25 tackles per game.
Last Season: Moore appeared in all 12 games and started 11 as a junior when he finished No. 2 on the squad in tackles with 75 stops (32 solos) ... Also recorded a team co-leading two forced fumbles and was tied for fifth on the team in tackles for loss (four) to go with three quarterback hurries, one pass breakup and a fumble recovery ... Finished 21st in Big 12 (No. 15 among linebackers) with 6.25 tackles per game.
Bo Ruud - Nebraska
Last Season: Ruud tied for fourth on the team with 65 tackles and was seventh on the team with seven tackles for loss. Ruud had two sacks and was one of only two Huskers with at least two interceptions. His three forced fumbles led the team, and he also recovered a pair of fumbles.
Last Season: Ruud tied for fourth on the team with 65 tackles and was seventh on the team with seven tackles for loss. Ruud had two sacks and was one of only two Huskers with at least two interceptions. His three forced fumbles led the team, and he also recovered a pair of fumbles.