BENTONVILLE — Things are turned completely around when it comes to Bentonville’s linebacker corps this year.
Inside linebackers Garrett Kaufman and John Donald were new to the group last season, but they became accustomed to their positions and eventually became the team’s top two tacklers. Now they are the veterans and the leaders while the Tigers search for new starters at the outside linebacker positions.
“I like John and I like Garrett,” Bentonville inside linebackers coach David Pollard said. “These guys have some experience, and it’s always good to have guys come back that already know your scheme and know what you’re doing.
“It’s a good time for these guys to step up as leaders. Those guys are like having a couple of extra coaches on the field. They really understand what we are doing.”
Kaufman (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) finished with a team-high 110 tackles, which included seven tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks. He elected to forego baseball in the spring to concentrate on football.
He made a big enough impression on Arkansas State to receive a scholarship offer, and he made an oral commitment to the Red Wolves during the summer.
Donald (5-11, 201) was the lesser known of the linebackers in Bentonville’s 3-4 defensive scheme, yet he had 99 tackles. That included five tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks, and he also added five pass breakups.
“At linebacker, we need guys who can spot things,” Pollard said. “If we make a certain call but need to be in another defense, either one of those guys can see it and get us into it in a hurry.”
Senior Clay Lewis (5-8, 176) is a likely candidate to fill in if needed, while Pollard said some juniors are making progress.
Meanwhile, the outside linebacker positions appear to be a wide-open race with four players emerging as the frontrunners for the two starting spots.
Jimmy Short (6-0, 153) is the lone senior in the group, and inside linebackers coach Rob Coleman said he “is looking for a lot of playing time on Friday nights.” Meanwhile, juniors Clay Wallace (6-1, 153) and Tyler Nichols (6-1, 167) and sophomore Harrison Rooney (6-0, 171) have been given strong consideration.
“I’ve got four guys — really five — that I can put out there at any time and play some good football,” outside linebackers coach Rob Coleman said. “They’re all fast and can run, get to the football and make plays for us.
“The good thing is I have a lot of depth. If somebody happens to go down or have to go play on offense, then I have somebody I can stick in there and we won’t fall off any. The bad side is trying to enough reps in practice for all of them.”
Coleman said this group allows Bentonville’s defensive to apply more pressure from the outside and run a few more stunts. They also have enough size to play a defensive end position in certain situations and “get after a tight end or anybody they line up against,” Coleman said.
The Skinny
Position Battle: Linebackers
Watch Out For: Senior outside linebacker Jimmy Short. He’s one of four players battling for two starting spots, and has grabbed attention during practices.
Biggest Strength: The Tigers enjoy the experience of Garrett Kaufman and John Donald on the inside, as well as the speed that the group of inside linebackers has.
Biggest Question: How does Bentonville give enough quality time on the field and in practice to four players that are on equal terms in their battle for two starting positions?