Spring Breakdown: The Linebackers

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State started spring practice on Tuesday March 3. Cyclones.com will break down each position heading into the spring game on April 11. Today we take a look at the linebackers.

The Linebackers

SYNOPSIS
The linebacker position is another spot which was plagued by injuries a year ago. A stable force in Rhoads' defense in his first five seasons with All-Big 12 players like Jesse Smith, Jake Knott, A.J. Klein and Jeremiah George, the production on the field dipped in 2014.

Rhoads, however, feels there is young, improving talent in the program ready to show their skills this spring. ISU does return two starters in Kane Seeley (6-2, 241, Jr.#, Perry, Iowa) and Luke Knott (6-1, 221, Jr.#, Lee's Summit, Mo.).

Seeley started the last four games of the season when senior leader Jevohn Miller went down with an injury. He posted 46 of his 54 season tackles in the last five games, including a career-best 13 stops vs. Kansas.

For the second-straight year in 2014, Knott played at less then full strength. His freshman season was cut short by hip surgery and his sophomore season was again hampered by hip problems which also required surgery at season's end. Knott did start eight games in 2014, registering 74 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one interception.

Brian Mills (5-10, 233, So.#, Clermont, Fla.) was able to see action in his rookie season in 2014, tallying 26 tackles with three starts.

There will be plenty of opportunities this spring for a number of newcomers to test out their skills. Rhoads has players like Jordan Harris (6-0, 233, Jr.#, Clarksdale, Miss.), Willie Harvey (6-0, 222, Fr.#, Hastings, Fla.) and Reggan Northrup (6-1, 191, Fr.#, Jacksonville, Fla.) who are ready to play after sitting out last season as redshirts. Harris is the only upperclassman of the group, electing to redshirt in 2014 after transferring from Copiah-Lincoln C.C., where he was named second-team All-American by the NJCAA in 2013.

Another newcomer aiming for playing time is mid-year enrollee Jarnor Jones (6-3, 203, Jr.#, Lithonia, Ga.), a junior college transfer who is competing at the SAM/Nickel position.

A player who will likely see playing time in the fall but is sitting out spring practice while recovering from Achilles tendon surgery is Levi Peters (5-11, 213, Jr.#, Gilmore City, Iowa).

RHOADS ON THE LINEBACKERS
“This is a position where we remain young, and quite honestly, inexperienced. There is some speed, athleticism and talent there. Wally (Burnham) has his hands full in developing that group as we go throughout the spring and it will be exciting to watch. The player with probably the most experience returning will be Kane Seeley, as he took over for Jevohn Miller late in the year when Jevohn went down with an ACL injury. Kane enters his junior year and I think the light is starting to turn on. You saw him be a very productive player when he became the regular starter at the Mike linebacker spot. Jordan Harris is once again another junior college player that has been with us for a full year and hasn't played yet. He's really training and studying to be an effective player for us here in the off-season. I'm looking forward to seeing Jordan compete for playing time. Brian Mills got some snaps for us late when Luke Knott was suffering through some hip injuries that were addressed in the off-season. Luke will be somewhat limited in the spring. The redshirt is off of Willie Harvey and I think that gives us great depth and opportunities at the Will linebacker spot. Reggan Northrup and newcomer Jarnor Jones give us a pair of athletic defenders at the Nickel/Sam linebacker position. We'll be anxious to see how far they can come this spring.”

Players Mentioned

Jordan Harris

Jordan Harris

Willie Harvey

Willie Harvey

Jarnor Jones

Jarnor Jones

Luke Knott

Luke Knott

Jevohn Miller

Brian Mills

Brian Mills

Reggan Northrup

Reggan Northrup

Levi Peters

Levi Peters

Kane Seeley

Kane Seeley

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics