When Coach Rhule addressed the media today, he started with the unfortunate news of senior linebacker Javin Wright being out indefinitely. “Javin Wright will be out indefinitely; he has a health condition that we’re working through right now,” Rhule said. In a room that lost key pieces from the previous season, this is a significant loss for the linebacker room. Wright was expected to be a starter, and his absence thins the depth.
With John Bullock having one of the linebacker positions on lock, questions now arise about who will take the other spot. I think that true freshman, Vincent Shavers Jr. is now in line to be one of the top guys on the depth chart. Starting a true freshman isn’t ideal, especially in the Big Ten, but this four-star has great potential to be an impact player immediately.
Mikai Gbayor can play all three positions. If M.J. Sherman and Princewell Umanmielen can hold their own at the “jack” position, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gbayor shift to the other remaining spot to fill the void without Wright.
Other names to watch could be both redshirt freshmen Dylan Rogers, who coaches are high on, and Maverick Noonan, returning from a torn ACL this past season, is now back in the groove of things.
Syracuse transfer Stefon Thompson, who played for Tony White as a freshman, now has an opportunity to step up. During spring ball, it appeared he wasn’t jelling well in his transition. It will be fascinating to see if, or how he is utilized for the Blackshirts.
Lastly, Willis McGahee IV is a name to watch. He might not be a guy that gets on the field much during the first part of the year. They might redshirt him, but with the weakened depth at the linebacker position, you might see him on the field sooner rather than later.
