The linebackers

Someone asked me on a previous post about the Aggie linebackers so I decided to start a thread.

I think the linebackers have a lot to prove this year.

Last year they were hurt by the defensive linemen's inability to win one-on-one matchups. Opposing offensive linemen could run free and swallow the Aggies undersized linebackers in the running game — the team gave up 207 yards per game on the ground.

That and the fact that weakside linebacker B.J. Adolpho and middle linebacker Boyblue Aoelua were sophomores last year. They're still developing.

The truth is that Adolpho could be a good player here. He loves football and goes all out all the time. He was raw last year but with more experience he will get better. I think Adolpho is a key player in DeWayne Walker's defense and could be in for a good season.

Boyblue was good between the tackle box last year and good enough against the run. He was a step slow in pass coverage and suffered on the perimeter of the defense. Some of that could be due to knee injuries.

He will be pushed by junior college transfer Alexander LaVoy.

There is a hole at strongside linebacker. Bryan Bonilla could play there and the team is also talking about playing defensive linemen Donte Savage and Stephen Meredith there. It's an evolving position.

Will Dylan Davis and Anthony Joyner step up? They were freshman last year and it would be ideal for them to get more playing time in 2011, in my eyes.

The Aggies will blitz more this season.

The play of the defensive front-seven this year will determine if the Aggies get better.