Football 8/31/2016 8:18:00 PM

Youthful Linebackers Set for 2016 Campaign

BEAUMONT, Texas – Over the course of the past month the overall youth of the 2016 Lamar University football team has been well chronicled. The LU receivers will be one of the youngest position groups at any level in the country – LU's linebackers rival that youth.

In fact, when looking at the linebackers depth chart it reads like a roll call for new student orientation. Four linebackers are true freshmen, and one is a junior college transfer. When linebackers coach Ben Beasley commented on his veterans he was referring to a senior and two sophomores, including one who has yet to take a snap in the regular season.

A major reason for the overall lack of experience is simple – attrition. The Cardinals lost two starters including one of the team's leading tacklers from the past three seasons due to exhausting their eligibility.

The veterans – senior Matt Johnson and sophomores Cameron Hampton and Kevin O'Neill – have played in a combined 28 games, with 20 of those belonging to Johnson.

"There is no doubt we're young," said Johnson. "I think that really showed during spring ball with some mental busts, which came from the fact that we were still learning the defense. I think we have progressed a great deal from that point until now. We're reading our keys, we have our eyes right and we're focusing on being fundamentally sound. The progress is showing on film."

Johnson's experience should help gain an upper hand toward a starting nod. He has played in 20 games during his career and posted his best individual performance last season against nationally ranked Baylor.

"The vets have progressed a lot," said Beasley. "In the spring this was all new to them. The older guys are at the point now where they're coaching the younger guys which is what you want as a coach. Our younger guys who were here for second summer session with the older guys are coming along really well.

"Matt and Kevin are the only two players we have with any experience of playing in a Division I ball game. Matt is a senior and is proving himself to be one of our top guys in practice and Kevin is really coming along, but most people forget he was just a true freshman last year," added Beasley.

Being the lone senior amidst a group of underclassmen could be considered a daunting task, but it is a role that Johnson has no problem owning up to.

"I don't feel like I've been forced into the position by being the only senior," said Johnson. "I've always tried to be a leader by example. I just go out and play my role, but all the guys have really stepped up. We all play special role within the group."

Other members of the "veteran" category are O'Neill and Hampton, a Texas transfer. O'Neill was a member of the Cards' strong 2015 recruiting class and played in eight games during his rookie season. Hampton was a highly recruited player coming out of high school where he signed with Texas after being ranked as the No. 57 player in the nation according to Rivals.

Another player who brings some experience with him to the group would be junior college transfer Tanner Kanteman. A two-year letterwinner at L.A. Pierce Junior College, Kanteman recorded more than 100 tackles during his junior college career.

The Cardinals will turn to their nationally ranked 2016 recruiting class to add quality and depth to the linebackers. Four true freshmen are fighting for playing time this season. That group consists of Jarett Carpenter (6-5, 203), Mike Coats (6-2, 209), Del'chaun Rushing (6-0, 201) and David Crosley (6-1, 240).

"The only other guy with experience at the college level is Tanner," said Beasley. "Playing Division I ball is a whole different ballgame. Having said that, playing the style of defense we're running compliments the younger guys. There is a lot of thinking involved but it's not as rough as other systems I've been involved with.

"Del'chaun Rushing has really come a long way during camp, and Jarett Carpenter is a really smart player. He is one of those guys that if he messes up you can get with him one time and he will get it corrected quickly. All of our incoming freshmen are football smart, and that is a tremendous luxury," added Beasley.

The greatest asset this group brings to the field is something that "lack of experience" doesn't effect. The 2016 linebackers have more speed than in previous seasons.

"We have a great deal of team speed," said Beasley. "These guys come prepared to work every day, and I couldn't ask for a better group to introduce a new defensive system with. Our biggest asset is our overall speed and their knowledge of the game.

"I think our speed is our biggest asset," added Johnson. "These guys can all run sideline to sideline."

The linebackers will have their first chance to put that speed on display Saturday in the season opener against Coastal Carolina. The game against the 16^th-ranked Chanticleers is schedule to kick off at 7 p.m. from Provost Umphrey Stadium. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the LU Ticket Office at (409) 880-1715.

-LU CARDINALS-

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Players Mentioned

#49 David Crosley: LB; 6' 1"; Freshman; Fr.-HS

#40 Mike Coats: LB; 6' 2"; Freshman; Fr.-HS

#52 Jarett Carpenter: LB; 6' 5"; Freshman; Fr.-HS

#35 Cameron Hampton: LB; 6' 2"; Sophomore; So.-SQ

#41 Del'chaun Rushing: LB; 6' 0"; Freshman; Fr.-HS

#47 Tanner Kanteman: LB; 6' 2"; Junior; Jr.-TR

Players Mentioned

#49 David Crosley
: 6' 1"; Freshman; Fr.-HS
: LB

#40 Mike Coats
: 6' 2"; Freshman; Fr.-HS
: LB

#52 Jarett Carpenter
: 6' 5"; Freshman; Fr.-HS
: LB

#35 Cameron Hampton
: 6' 2"; Sophomore; So.-SQ
: LB

#41 Del'chaun Rushing
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Fr.-HS
: LB

#47 Tanner Kanteman
: 6' 2"; Junior; Jr.-TR
: LB