The linebacker position has suffered because the DL had been poorly coached since Bumpas left. If the D tackles had zero tackles in a game, that would be a perfect game in GP's playbook. Look at the Oklahoma game from the 2014 season, Davion and Chucky held up the interior linemen freeing Dawson and Mallet to clean up. Now our DL struggles with gap integrity and has to have
two position coaches for arguably the easiest positions in the defense.
LB was further hurt by recruiting perception of having a GA at the position instead of a named position coach.
LB Position Coaches:
2006?-2011, Tony Tademy
2012: Randy Shannon
2013-2015: Demontie Cross W/Jason Phillips as GA
2016-2017: Jason Phillps
2018 - Current: Chad Glasgow
We're seeing a lack of recruiting from those years when it was just Phillips in the position. Phillips had to take over the LB position because the DL needed two coaches for the simplist position after Bumpas retired. IMO he did a damn good job with Summers and what he had to work with.
Recruiting instability after Tademy left and poor DL play after Bumpas has made things difficult.
Off the top of my head:
Freeze - Quit (potential 5th year senior this year)
Vinny - never showed.
Tyree Horton - Quit.
Montreal Wilson - Medical Retirement (5th year senior this year)