CAA: The League of Extraordinairy Linebackers

The Colonial Athletic Association’s collective accomplishments over recent seasons is renowned among Championship Subdivision followers: a national championship game appearance every season since 2006; two semifinalists every season since 2007; two of the last three NCAA champions. Another accolade to the conference’s credit is its production of top caliber linebackers. *Editor’s Note: A necessary digression, I love Twitter. One hundred and forty characters of banter can spark blog topics such as this. Now back to our regularly scheduled blog.*

Recent Colonial products include Richmond’s Eric McBride, now with the Washington Redskins, and Villanova’s Terence Thomas, now with the Philadelphia Eagles. Both shined on national championship-winning squads and McBride was a three-time All-America honoree.

Even CAA defenders who played other positions find ways to excel at linebacker. Take James Madison defensive end Arthur Moats, who won the 2009 Buck Buchanan Award and a season later after converting to linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, effectively ended Brett Favre’s career.

This season’s crop looks like the conference’s best yet, collectively. Across the league are stars of all varieties, guaranteed to stuff the stat sheet and the postseason award ballot boxes.

Dante Cook & Jake Trantin, William & Mary

Personal issues sidelined 2009 All-CAA performer Jake Trantin last year. With him as the linebacking corps leader as a junior, the Tribe boasted the subdivision’s No. 2 overall defense allowing just 12 points per game. His 90 tackles, 10 for loss and three interceptions garnered him All-CAA recognition. This year boasting a bulkier frame around 240 pounds, he should garner looks from NFL scouts.

Dante Cook became the on-field leader last season in Trantin’s absence, racking up 111 tackles en route to All-CAA recognition. Cook is great pursuing the rush, and can also drop into pass coverage effectively. The duo together could spell trouble for opposing offenses.

Jessel Curry and Paul Worrilow, Delaware

The Blue Hens’ stout defense powered it to 12 wins and Frisco, Texas last season. This year’s version is much less experienced, but has a talented three on which to rely. Paul Worrilow was leading tackler and a blitz presence working off the weak side of the 4-3. His 7.5 tackles for loss are tops among Blue Hen returners.

The addition of highly touted Georgia prep prospect Jessel Curry, an Auburn transfer, gives UD a needed boost at MLB. Curry impressed in a recent scrimmage with an interception.

Matt Evans, New Hampshire

The New Hampshire junior should figure prominently into the Buck Buchanan Award race coming off a ridiculous 156-tackle campaign (third most overall and fifth best on an adjusted per-game scale). Evans doesn’t boast overpowering size and thus doesn’t have the waylaying force behind his tackles like an Arthur Moats. What makes him special is his blink-and-you’ll-miss-him speed and textbook wrap-ups. In the below highlight package (appropriately set to AC/DC’s “Rock n Roll Train”) notice how he blurs past blockers. At around the 40-second mark, he snuffs out Bethune-Cookman’s Matt Johnson out of the option instantly in last year’s FCS Playoffs.

Tyler Holmes, UMass

There may not be a more NFL-ready prospect in the FCS than Tyler Holmes. He finished fifth in last year’s Buck Buchanan Award vote after accruing 110 tackles, seven for loss and five sacks: all team bests. His hardware stock should climb. He was co-Defensive Player of the Year in the CAA and an All-American playing a ball hawking style. Holmes hits with brutal power. Just check out this hit last year in spring ball. Yes, he goes that hard in spring ball.

Darius McMillan, Richmond

The recent legacy of standout linebackers at UR continues with Darius McMillan assuming top billing in the stead of McBride, Patrick Weldon and Collin McGonahey. McMillan is the leading returner in both tackles and sacks from a typically strong Spider defense. McMillan sets the tone at MLB for what should be a speedy UR bunch. Using his quickness as the catalyst, McMillan is earning praise from UR head coach LaTrell Scott.

Stephon Robertson and Pat Williams, James Madison

If the name Stephon Robertson sounds familiar to those unfamiliar with the FCS, it should. Robertson was critical to JMU’s upset of Virginia Tech last September, forcing a fumble deep in Dukes territory that helped preserve the 21-16 upset. Robertson went on to garner Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in the CAA. Pat Williams meanwhile is a Duke mainstay. His 110 tackles and 8.5 for loss were both team highs in 2010, coming off an impressive 84-tackle sophomore campaign. Williams is the clear leader of a stacked Duke defense.

Craig Wilkins, Old Dominion

Craig Wilkins has been an integral part of the Monarch defense each of ODU’s two seasons in existence. He’s versatile, showing ability to both take on the rush as ODU’s top tackler in 2010 and in pass coverage with three inceptions in 2009.