Breaking Down The Aggies' 3-4 Defense: Middle Linebacker

In the 3-4 defense, you have two inside linebackers (ILBs), the Middle Inside Linebacker (aka Mike) and the Weakside Linebacker (aka Will). Along with the Weakside Outside Linebacker, the Middle Inside Linebacker in the 3-4 is often the biggest playmaker on the team, and usually one of the top two or three players on the team in tackles, if not the team leader. The primary responsibility of the two ILBs in the 3-4 is to stop the inside running game between the tackles. The primary responsibility of the Mike linebacker in the 3-4 in run defense is the weakside A-gap. The NG will take the strongside A-gap on many plays and draw a double-team from the Center and Strongside Guard (SG). The NG will keep these two offensive linemen occupied so Mike can fast flow to the play and make the tackle. The Mike backer must be strong enough to fight off offensive linemen at the point of attack, because opposing lines will pull guards and tackles and send them to block the Mike backer in an attempt to open up the middle of the field. The MLB must also be able to cover the middle flats in pass coverage; he is often responsible for covering RBs when they come into the middle of the field. In a Cover 2 packages, the Mike backer can be asked to 'run the pole', and drop deep so he has centerfield in the deep zone.  The Mike backer needs to play with good leverage so he can take on blockers, but needs to be athletic enough to over backs and some slot receivers in a zone blitz scheme. The Mike backer will also be sent on inside blitzes and twists to put pressure on the QB, so he needs to be fast enough to blitz into the backfield and get on top of the QB  just as he does his drop from under center, or just as he finishes his short drop in the shotgun. The Mike backer is usually the leader of the defense, the one who calls the plays and adjusts alignments, so he needs to be intelligent and understand the game. He also needs to be a team leader, someone who has the work ethic and the talent to draw respect from even the most cynical teammate; it helps if he is a physical freak enough to scare his teammates, too, but that isn't a necessity.

We have a few candidates for the Middle Linebacker position in our 3-4 defense.

Kyle Mangan, So, 6'2, 231 lbs

Mangan was a playmaker and rising star for the Aggies as a redshirt freshman, playing MLB in their multiple odd-front defense in 2009. Mangan finished fourth on the team in tackles with 70, had 6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 9 passes defended, 7 PBU, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery. Mangan started 10 of 13 games at MLB, firmly entrenching himself into the position as the year went on, starting the last six games in a row. Mangan was named to the collegefootballnews.com freshman All-America third team, and ESPN's Big 12 All-Freshman team following the season. He will receive some consideration for preseason All-Big 12 honors for the 2010 season. I expect Mangan to start the year at MILB, and I think he will excel in run defense. Mangan has the size and speed needed to move sideline to sideline and shut down the inside running game, and the strength to take on opposing offensive linemen and still make the play. My only question regarding Mangan may be in his abilities in pass coverage, particularly if we ask him to drop into a deep zone. I don't think he has the speed to stay with slot receivers deep, but neither do most linebackers. Mangan can stay with RBs in the flat and over the middle, and he can get to the QB on blitzes, so I think he'll be fine at MILB in DeRuyter's 3-4 scheme.

Michael Hodges, Sr, 6'0, 226 lbs

Hodges is a former walk-on who played well enough last season to earn All-Big 12 honorable mention as voted on by the coaches in the league. Hodges finished the 2009 season fifth on the team in total tackles, with 67, had half a sack, 1 INT, 2 passes defended, and 1 PBU. Hodges spent parts of the 2009 season starting at MLB in the place of Kyle Mangan, and did quote well, excelling in run defense. Hodges is athletic enough to drop back in pass coverage in the flats, and cover RBs or WRs over the middle, but tough enough to take on opposing blockers and stuff the running game. I am hopeful Hodges will add about 10 more pounds of muscle to his frame so he can be more durable during the 2010 season.  

Ricky Cavanaugh, Jr, 6'2, 225 lbs

Cavanaugh played some as a true freshman in 2008, but play sparingly in 2009, appearing in only two games and totalling 6 tackles on the year. Cavanaugh has the size and speed to play at either MILB or WILB, if he can adjust to DeRuyter's scheme.I think Cavanaugh will be fighting for a backup spot at MILB, but I can see him earning a spot on the depth chart.

Domonique Patterson, Fr, 6'0, 210 lbs

Patterson is a true freshman from Dallas Skyline who played outside linebacker in high school. I can see Patterson being redshirted so he can learn the system and gain some size and strength in the strength and conditioning program, but I could also see him in the mix at MILB. Rivals lists Patterson as having run a 4.48 forty, which means he probably runs in the 4.6 range, which is fine for MILB. Patterson may end up being looked at as a WOLB candidate in the future, but I think we should look at moving him inside, too.

Those are our candidates for the Middle Inside Linebacker position in our 3-4 defense; I expect Kyle Mangan and Michael Hodges to fight it out for the starting spot, with Mangan most likely earning the starter spot, and Hodges being his backup, or even possibly moving to WILB.