2002 TCU Football: The Linebackers
8/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 6, 2002
Gary Patterson: "LaMarcus McDonald leads that pack. All four of the top returning linebackers have played. Josh Goolsby didn't play much, but he opened the season as a starter before being injured. We basically have two starters back with Josh, who is running as well as he ever has, along with LaMarcus, then backups Devon Davis and Martin Patterson were able to gain a lot of experience."
Any talk of the TCU linebackers has to start with senior LaMarcus McDonald. McDonald, who earned second team all-conference honors a season ago and figures to be a first team all-league selection this year, is one of those rare guys who just makes plays. A member of the 64-player Nagurski "Watch List," McDonald recorded an incredible 25 tackles for loss last season, ranking fourth in the country in TFL's per game. He was in on 80 tackles during the regular season, but that did not include his career-high 17 tackle performance in the galleryfurniture.com Bowl loss to Texas A&M. Six of the tackles he made in that contest were behind the line of scrimmage.
Josh Goolsby is favorite to replace standout Chad Bayer at the spot opposite McDonald. Goolsby was a starter in the season-opener at Nebraska last season, but injuries in that contest and at North Texas the next week ended his season prematurely. He returned in the spring and was running as good as he ever has and appears poised to have a big season if he can stay away from the injury bug.
Devon Davis continues to improve as he picks up more of the Horned Frog defensive schemes after transferring from Tennessee. Davis may have the best pass game technique of any of the Frog linebackers and will push Goolsby for playing time at the "Mike" position.
Martin Patterson was one of only two freshmen to see playing time last season. A defensive end in high school, Patterson made the transition to the linebacker position quickly. Expectations are high for this young Frog linebacker.
A cast of walk-ons will battle for playing time should one of the top four 'backers encounter injury. The squadmen include Shawn Brooks, Chris Fabian, Josh Jones, Jordan Porter, Brad Talbert, Brad Veale and DeJuan Williams.
The Frogs signed one linebacker in April, Irving Nimitz product Matt Hines. Hines is an interesting story in that he did not play as a senior due to a fracture in one of his vertebrae during the first week of varsity practice in the summer before his final prep season. Despite the injury, the Frog coaches stuck with him and he became one of TCU's earliest commitments for the 2002 season.
