Aug. 2, 2010
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By John Denton
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Here is a breakdown of UCF's linebacker corps, a unit that is loaded with experience and toughness.
Training camp opens Aug. 5 and the Knights kick off the regular season on Sept. 4 at Bright House Networks Stadium against South Dakota.
POSITION: Linebackers
PROJECTED STARTERS: OLB Derrick Hallman (6-0, 218, Sr.); MLB Chance Henderson (6-1, 245, RSr.); OLB Lawrence Young (6-0, 220, Sr.).
KEY RESERVES: Josh Linam (6-3, 235, Jr.); Loren Robinson (6-3, 209, RSo.); Jordan Becker (6-4, 223, RJr.).
PLAYER TO WATCH: Chance Henderson. The 6-foot-1 236-pound senior is back patrolling the middle for the Knights defense after spending a year away from football because of a torn ACL to his left knee. Henderson, a starter the three seasons before his injury, made it through spring ball while still rehabilitating the knee, but is on target to be ready by the start of fall camp. Henderson was a preseason All-Conference USA pick before last season after ranking fifth on the team in tackles and fourth on the team in sacks in 2008. UCF needs him to once again be the quarterback of the defense and a stopper who can roam sideline to sideline.
STRENGTHS: Despite losing team captain Cory Hogue, the Knights are loaded with experience at linebacker. Derrick Hallman is a big hitter capable of playing multiple positions. He has 193 career tackles, 85 of which came last season for the Knights. Henderson is a three-year starter and Lawrence Young has quietly been a rock on the weak side for the Knights. Young has had 72 and 78 tackles the past two seasons and he had 11 stops for losses last season.
WEAKNESSES: Depth at linebacker is somewhat of a concern, but that could be cleared up by the development of promising middle linebacker Josh Linam. He has the size and power to be a force in the middle for the Knights. He should see plenty of time filling in at several positions. Loren Robinson and Jordan Becker also have loads of toughness and potential and must prove themselves to fill-in in the event of injury.
PLAYER'S QUOTE: ``The (middle) linebacker on any team has to be a leader, has to be smart. You have to be able to make all of the calls, and most importantly, you have to be able to make the plays. There's pressure there, but it's a position that I'm used to. It's a position that I've played for three years and I'm just ready to come back and make a name for myself again.'' - Chance Henderson, middle linebacker
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John Denton's Knights Insider appears on UCFAthletics.com several times a week. E-mail John at jdenton@athletics.ucf.edu.