I think it’s fine.. Khali Saunders and obviously Jacob Wahlberg got in. OC Brothers rounds out your linebackers off the bench .. I didn’t think we’d have three good starters let alone a Group of three competent backups ..
I think this is a very good question. I was thinking the same thing. No shot of jeopardizing red shirt and play along side his bro before he goes to the NFL. Lastly, he was a much higher recruit than any of those LBs that played so you’d think he would be a starter next year. Now, if he’s still banged up I understand completely but I was waiting to see him yesterday as well.
Why would you think that? He’s not a middle linebacker body type .. so that’s out. The other spots next year are going to be Jaylan Alexander and Jalen Graham. I could certainly see him moving ahead of OC Brothers and Khali Saunders as first guys off the bench OR if he’d been here as long as Alexander or Graham I’d expect him to be starting. I expect Yanni to be more of a first guy off the bench type and move into a starting role if someone gets hurt.
I’m confused, first of all, about your explanation about yesterday. If he’s not hurt, he should be getting game reps if it’s not going to hurt his RS. Period. End of story. Saunders, OC, whoever, should be at least sharing reps w him at best.
You know that he’s better right now than Saunders and brothers particularly coming off his injury?
As if often the case with these threads, the train has gotten way off track. A few quick things tho: (1) you know who’s “top ranking focused?” Georgia. Alabama. Michigan. Ohio state. Notre Dame. Sense a theme there? It’s a universal truth that the more 4and5 star recruits you land, the better you are. (2) I’m not going to bash our players to make a point. If either of those guys make 1st or 2nd team All B10 I will be really really shocked but very happy for them. (3) Yanni starts next year. End of story.
Typo.. I meant to ranking focused.
Call me crazy but I am with BC here. Graham will probably make all Big Ten this year. He could be one of the best linebackers in the Big next year, and if not certainly 1st or 2nd team all Big Ten. Alexander played well this year as well and certainly not out of the question for all BTen honors.
Agreed
Yeah I would expect to see Yanni and OC with quite a bit more pt next year.
I remember khali Saunders playing as a freshman in 2019, then it seems others rose above him.. it was nice to see him resurface last night. And wahlberg looked very good … nice to see him get a pick
And they both looked big. I believe they are 6’3” and 6’4” and both look to be 240ish +. Wahlberg looked like one of the big, long Wisconsin linebackers that gave us fits.
Next year we should finally have our starting lineup dominated by seniors.
One of the many reasons I’ve told people that if O’Connell comes back… don’t be surprised if the boilermakers manage to lose George Karlaftis and David Bell and somehow be BETTER next year
