Spring Outlook: The Linebackers

AMES, Iowa - Spring football practice has begun and Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is getting his first chance to prep for the 2016 season. Campbell sat down with Cyclones.com to preview each position. Today we look at the linebackers.

Synopsis
A year ago, Iowa State went into the spring with very little experience at the linebacker spot.

This will not be the case this spring.

A total of five players with 35 career starts will return at linebacker for the Cyclones in 2016. Included in this group are seniors Jordan Harris (6-0, 233, Sr.#, Clarksdale, Miss.) and Kane Seeley (6-2, 239, Sr.#, Perry, Iowa).

Harris was the only Cyclone on defense to start all 12 games in 2015 after redshirting his first season as a Cyclone. The former junior college All-American showed promise at middle linebacker, ranking third on the team in tackles (70) and tallying 5.0 TFL. He was named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week after his outstanding performance in ISU's shutout victory over Texas.

Seeley has been a part-time starter during his Cyclone career, registering 77 career tackles.

Brian Mills (5-10, 226, Jr.#, Clermont, Fla.) is another upperclassman returning with starting experience at linebacker. Playing primarily at the Will spot, Mills has six career starts, including the final three games of 2015. Mills had 25 tackles and 3.0 TFL in the final four games last season.

Willie Harvey (6-0, 222, So.#, Hastings, Fla.) and Reggan Northrup (6-1, 191, So#, Jacksonville, Fla.) return after strong rookie campaigns in 2015. Harvey started eight games, registering 59 tackles and 3.0 TFL at the Will spot. Northrup took over as the starter at nickel for the last three games and ended the year with 32 tackles and 2.5 TFL.

Redshirt freshmen Bobby McMillen III (6-1, 237, Fr.#, Naperville, Ill.) and Marcel Spears Jr. (6-1, 215, Fr.#, Olathe, Kan.) will also be candidates for playing time.

Campbell On The Linebackers
“Linebacker is more of a wide open race in just about everything that comes to the table. It really starts for us in the Mike and Will area, the interior of that group. Obviously, it's nice that we have guys that have played. Jordan Harris has played a lot of football and I'm excited about what he has done and his ability to play. We have some young guys like Reggan Northrup, who has been really impressive in terms of skill-set and ability. Willie Harvey has been really impressive. Brian Mills, another kid that has really shown up for us. Obviously, Kane Seeley is a senior that has good leadership ability and has played here in the past. And there is Marcel Spears Jr. If you know to me, you know that a linebacker has to be a guy that's like a quarterback. They have got to be a communicator, a conductor, and someone who can run sideline to sideline and tackle. The game has changed so much today. Linebackers have to have that unique ability to play in space, especially in our conference. They have to tackle well in space, but also have the ability to come inside and get downhill when the box is reduced. I think we really know what we want from that position and we are really excited to find out who can do it.”

Players Mentioned

Willie Harvey

Bobby McMillen III

Brian Mills

Reggan Northrup

Kane Seeley

Marcel Spears Jr.

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