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Stanford Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2017

By Connor Muldowney

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Keller Chryst #10 of the Stanford Cardinal passes against the Washington Huskies on September 30, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: Quarterback Keller Chryst #10 of the Stanford Cardinal passes against the Washington Huskies on September 30, 2016 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 12: Linebacker Joey Alfieri #32 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with safety Ben Edwards #9 after intercepting a pass during the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 12: Linebacker Joey Alfieri #32 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with safety Ben Edwards #9 after intercepting a pass during the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

Starting inside linebackers: Bobby Okereke, Kevin Palma
Backups: Sean Barton, Mustafa Branch

One of the top breakout candidates on the entire Stanford defense, in my eyes, has to be junior inside linebacker Bobby Okereke. He’s a former highly-touted recruit from nearby Santa Ana, Calif., and had 39 total tackles, four for loss and three sacks in 2016. He’s a strong contributor in the 3-4 look and could end up being the star of the defense in 2017.

Senior Kevin Palma finished just ahead of Okereke in total tackles last season with 42 and is expected to be the starter at the other inside spot. He added two tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and an interception. These two combine for a solid duo of returning inside linebacker starters. Sophomore Sean Barton (34 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks) is a more than capable backup and junior Mustafa Branch (29 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 INT) is right there as well.

Related Story: Stanford Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

Starting outside linebackers: Joey Alfieri, Peter Kalambayi
Backups: Curtis Robinson, Casey Toohill

As for the outside linebackers, there are also two more returning starters, making this defense that much scarier for 2017. Four returning starters at the linebacker spots? The Pac-12 better not run against this unit. Junior Joey Alfieri was fourth on the team in total tackles last season, 51, while also ranking second in tackles for loss with 10.5 — Solomon Thomas was the only one who had more. Alfieri also added for sacks and two picks. He could be a star-in-the-making.

Senior Peter Kalambayi also returns after totaling 48 tackles, six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season. These two will anchor the outside and provide the Cardinal with a strong starting unit. Sophomore Curtis Robinson (14 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks) and Casey Toohill (20 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks) shouldn’t be overlooked, either.

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