Position Preview: The Linebackers

The Georgia Southern football team set the bar extremely high in its first season of FBS play. By winning the Sun Belt Conference title, the Eagles duplicated what just two other teams in the history of college football had accomplished, and became the only team to do it with an undefeated league record. With 13 starters back, five on the offensive side of the ball and eight on defense, Georgia Southern will try to meet and surpass that standard in 2015 by reaching the first bowl game in school history.

With the season opener at West Virginia getting closer each day, GSEagles.com will break down each position group now that camp is over and the regular season is rapidly approaching. Today, we take a brief look at the linebackers, led by coach Michael Mutz.

COACH MUTZ ON THE LINEBACKERS:
"We have a very experienced group coming back with a lot of football games played with Antwione, Ironhead, Chris and Patrick Flowe playing quite a bit. I've been real pleased with the progress so far. We've gotten better from practice one to today. Obviously, linebackers are paramount in the defense and these guys know they need to have a career year for us to get to where we want to go. I think they've approached the offseason like that and the preseason like that so hopefully we can keep grinding, getting better and getting ready for week one."

BRIEFLY:
• Senior Antwione Williams will step in and fill the void left by leading tackler Edwin Jackson at one position, and junior Deshawntee "Ironhead" Gallon looks to be the starter at the other spot.

• Williams was second on the team with 66 tackles, including 45 solo hits, and led the Eagles with eight tackles for loss and three sacks, earning All-Sun Belt honorable mention accolades. Gallon logged 44 stops, including three sacks, and an interception.

• Sophomore Chris DeLaRosa, junior Ken Butler, junior William Bussey and junior Patrick Flowe all saw significant playing time and are expected to contribute. Coaches are hopeful to get a final ruling on Florida State transfer Ukeme Eligwe and his eligibility soon. If he isn't granted a waiver, he will have one year left next season to play.

TODAY - LINEBACKERS
Tuesday, Aug. 25 - QUARTERBACKS
Wednesday, Aug. 26 - SECONDARY
Thursday, Aug. 27 - TIGHT ENDS/H-BACKS
Friday, Aug. 28 - DEFENSIVE LINE
Saturday, Aug. 29 - RUNNING BACKS
Sunday, Aug. 30 - SPECIALISTS
Monday, Aug. 31 - OFFENSIVE LINE
Tuesday, Sept. 1 - WIDE RECEIVERS

Schedule

Players Mentioned

William Bussey Jr.

Ken Butler Jr.

Chris DeLaRosa

Ukeme Eligwe

Patrick Flowe

Edwin Jackson

Antwione Williams

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