With the beginning of spring football practice just a week away, ODUSports.com will preview each position before the first day of practice. Today we take a look at the linebackers.
Linebacker
Old Dominion lost leading 2014 tackler D.J. Simon to graduation but returns T.J. Ricks and Martez Simpson, who finished second and fourth, respectively, in tackles. The Monarchs added four linebackers in January while Kohl Adams-Hurd was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.
The Returners
Ricks and Simpson lead the group of returners while Reece Schmidt and Malique Johnson saw most of their action on special teams. Ricks, a former walk-on who earned a scholarship, finished second on the team with 80 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and a Conference USA best four forced fumbles.
Simpson was fourth on the squad with 75 tackles and missed the season opener. He started 11 games and registered two tackles for loss.
Sophomore Isaiah Worthy played in nine games and finished the year with 21 tackles and two fumble recoveries, both coming in the opener against Hampton.
The Newcomers
The Monarchs brought in four linebackers in January, including Jaylin Jeffries, Richard Thomas, Derek Wilder and Shadow Williams. Thomas and Williams are junior college transfers as Thomas comes from Pearl River (same JUCO as Simpson) and Williams from Glendale College (Arizona). Wilder is an early enrollee from Maury high school while Jeffries was gray shirted after signing a scholarship offer last February.
Kohl Adams-Hurd gained a sixth year of eligibility after sitting out last year with a knee injury. Adams-Hurd came to ODU from LA Pierce College.
By The Numbers
5: Quarterback hurries by TJ Ricks, most among linebackers.
18: Forced fumbles by the ODU defense, eight of which came from the linebackers.
89: Tackles by D.J. Simon, ODU’s leading tackler in 2014, which ranked sixth in C-USA.