Tag: linebacker

Broncos met with LB Easton Gibbs at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Broncos met with Wyoming LB Easton Gibbs at the East-West Bowl last month. He totaled 361 tackles in 45 games with the Cowboys.

The Denver Broncos had “extended meetings” with Wyoming linebacker Easton Gibbs at the East-West Bowl last month, according to a report from The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Gibbs (6-2, 227 pounds) totaled 361 tackles (22.5 behind the line), 11 pass breakups, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception in four seasons (45 games) with college football’s Cowboys.

Broncos starting linebacker Josey Jewell is scheduled to become a free agent in March. Denver used a third-round pick to select Drew Sanders last year, but he ended up spending more time at outside linebacker than he did at inside linebacker as a rookie. It remains to be seen what Sanders’ long-term position will be.

Gibbs is a late-round prospect who might end up going undrafted this spring. The Broncos currently hold six picks, including two selections in the fifth round and one sixth-round pick. The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

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PFF projects $6.25 million per year for Josey Jewell in free agency

PFF projects Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell will be offered $6.25 million per season in free agency.

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when the NFL’s new league year begins in March.

Pro Football Focus has projected a two-year, $12.5 million contract for the linebacker in free agency, an average of $6.25 million per season. That would represent an increase from his previous two-year, $11 million deal.

Jewell was healthy for 16 games last season. He had a salary cap hit of $7.22 million and totaled 108 tackles, three sacks, three fumble recoveries and three pass breakups in 2023. The 29-year-old linebacker is now entering his seventh season in the NFL.

The Broncos are projected to be $24 million over the salary cap this offseason, so they might not be able to re-sign all of their in-house free agents. Denver general manager George Paton said earlier this month that the team views linebacker Drew Sanders as a starter, perhaps a sign that the club is preparing to lose Jewell in free agency.

NFL free agency will begin on Wednesday, March 13.

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2 Broncos make PFF’s list of the Top 100 NFL free agents

Broncos C Lloyd Cushenberry (57) and LB Josey Jewell (78) were named on PFF’s list of the top 100 upcoming NFL free agents.

Two Denver Broncos players have been named by Pro Football Focus on a list of the top 100 pending free agents in 2024.

Linebacker Josey Jewell (No. 78) and center Lloyd Cushenberry (No. 57) were the only Broncos named on the list. Both have proven to be extremely successful players on their respective sides of the ball.

Cushenberry was the starting center for all 17 games in 2023, and is a force against the pass and run. “Cushenberry uses heavy hands and a good anchor to win against a growing list of quality pass-rushers on the interior, bolstering his value more each year,” Brad Spielberger wrote on PFF’s website. “He may be served better in a gap-heavy rushing scheme, but any limitations as a run blocker in space are vastly outweighed by his pass-blocking strength.”

Jewell has over 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons, and alongside fellow linebacker Alex Singleton, has been an effective one-two punch in the middle of the field. “Jewell may not be great in any one facet of linebacker play, but he’s good in all of them,” Spielberger wrote.” And a well-rounded linebacker is an asset to any defense. Jewell covers well in zone, with good spacial awareness to get proper depth, and has the ability to come forward and blitz up the middle on occasion.”

According to PFF, Cushenberry could draw a  four-year contract worth approximately $57 million, while Jewell could sign a projected two-year, $12.5 million deal. Denver general manager George Paton has made it a point to sign internal role players before targeting outside free agents, so it remains to be seen if he will continue to follow that pattern.

Jewell and Cushenberry are among the team’s most notable looming free agents. NFL free agency is set to begin in March.

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Alabama coaching staff extends offer to South Alabama transfer LB Khalil Jacobs

The Alabama coaching staff extended its most recent offer to South Alabama transfer linebacker Khalil Jacobs.

The Alabama coaching staff has hit the recruiting trail with a full head of speed. On Monday, the Crimson Tide extended an offer to South Alabama transfer linebacker Khalil Jacobs.

Jacobs played two seasons under newly-hired, Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. He was a part of Wommack’s second recruiting class at South Alabama.

In two seasons with the Jaguars, Jacobs amassed 64 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception.

If Jacobs were to commit to Alabama, he would likely play the Husky role. This particular position is the best fit for a safety/linebacker mix. With Jacobs being listed at 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds, that seems like the ideal position for him moving forward.

The native of Niceville, Florida will likely take a visit to Alabama in the next week or so. He would be a great addition to an already stout transfer portal class that Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and the rest of the Alabama coaching staff have assembled.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program and its involvement in the NCAA transfer portal.

Former Alabama LB Kendrick Blackshire transferring to Texas

Former Alabama linebacker Kendrick Blackshire announced that he was transferring to Texas. Blackshire spent three seasons at Alabama.

Alabama could face one of its transfers next season. On Tuesday night, former Alabama linebacker Kendrick Blackshire announced he was transferring to Texas.

Blackshire spent the past three seasons at Alabama. He served primarily as a reserve inside linebacker and a special teamer. In 25 games, Blackshire recorded 25 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

After entering the transfer portal, Blackshire took official visits to Ole Miss and Texas. Ultimately, he decided to return to his home state to play for the Longhorns.

He will be a part of a Longhorns squad led by former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. He will be an instrumental piece on Texas’ defense as they transition to the SEC.

Roll Tide Wire will provide the latest news regarding the Alabama football program and its former players in the NCAA transfer portal.

Former Alabama LB Shawn Murphy transferring to Florida State

Former Alabama linebacker Shawn Murphy transferred to Florida State. Murphy, a former four-star, spent two seasons in Tuscaloosa.

It did not take long for former four-star and Alabama linebacker Shawn Murphy to find a new home. The Virginia native has committed to Florida State just one day after entering his name into the transfer portal.

Murphy spent two seasons in Tuscaloosa. He was primarily a reserve inside linebacker for the Crimson Tide. Murphy also contributed on special teams. Throughout his two-year career at Alabama, Murphy played in 18 games and recorded five tackles.

Murphy will reunite with several former Alabama teammates in Tallahassee. He will join former Alabama players Terrence Ferguson, Malik Benson, Roydell Williams, and Earl Little Jr.

It will be interesting to follow the Seminoles football program in 2024 given the amount of Alabama players that they have landed via the transfer portal.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest news regarding the Alabama football program and its players that have entered the NCAA transfer portal.

Josey Jewell won’t use finger guns celebration in 2024 after fines from NFL

After inconsistent rulings from the NFL in 2023, Broncos LB Josey Jewell will retire his finger guns celebration.

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell — nicknamed “The Outlaw” — plans to retire his finger guns celebration after being fined by the NFL for using it during the 2023 season.

Jewell was originally fined $13,659 for “unsportsmanlike conduct” (the celebration) against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. Jewell pointed his finger guns up in the air like a cowboy, but the league does not permit “any act resembling shooting a gun.”

Jewell appealed that fine and the NFL rescinded it.

Jewell then assumed he was in the clear, and he used the celebration again against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. That assumption was wrong.

The league fined Jewell $13,659 for his second “offense.” The linebacker appealed again, but his fine was only reduced by 20% to $10,928.

“He’ll have to retire it because we like our money,’’ Jewell’s agent, Jack Bechta, told The Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson last week. “We’re just disappointed with the inconsistency from the league.”

So, unless there’s another twist in the saga, we’ve seen the last of Jewell’s signature celebration.

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UFL Houston Roughnecks draft former Alabama LB Reuben Foster

Alabama LB Reuben Foster drafted by UFL’s Houston Roughnecks

In a shocking announcement on Dec. 31 2023, the XFL and USFL football leagues agreed to merge together to create the United Football League (UFL). The XFL and USFL have been trying to get their leagues off the ground for a couple of years, but have not had a ton of success competing against college football and the NFL.

The NFL is so dominant in America that no other football league could rival it, however, there is a need for a developmental or minor league for guys who have left college but still want to pursue a professional career. Merging the two leagues is a great business move as they won’t be fighting for fan engagement against one another and makes it easier to follow. The new UFL spring league has a chance to be a great benefit to the NFL with 2024 being the first year.

The UFL is now undergoing the process of adding players to the league for it’s upcoming first season. One of the first major additions to the league is former Alabama All-American linebacker [autotag]Reuben Foster[/autotag]. Foster is one of the most violent defenders to ever come through Saban’s program, unfortunately, some off the field issues have delayed his NFL career. However, I believe that this chance with the Roughnecks is exactly what he needs.

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Alabama LB Kendrick Blackshire enters NCAA transfer portal

Alabama linebacker Kendrick Blackshire entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. He spent three seasons in Tuscaloosa.

On Monday, Alabama saw its 17th player enter the NCAA transfer portal. The most recent entrant was rising senior linebacker Kendrick Blackshire. 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer confirmed the news.

The native of Duncanville, Texas spent three seasons in Tuscaloosa. Throughout his Crimson Tide career, Blackshire amassed 25 tackles, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Blackshire was most commonly known for his tenacious play at the linebacker position. He had a freak-like physique at 6-foot-2 and 233 pounds. Blackshire was arguably one of the strongest players on the team during his time in Tuscaloosa.

I would be surprised to see Blackshire transfer to a school that is not located in the Lonestar state. Several schools to keep a close eye on are Texas, TCU, and SMU.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program.

Alabama LB Trezmen Marshall declares for 2024 NFL draft

On Friday morning, Alabama linebacker Trezmen Marshall announced that he was declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.

Alabama linebacker Trezmen Marshall announced his intentions to declare for the 2024 NFL draft on Friday morning. Marshall made the news official via his Instagram account.

Marshall, a Georgia native, transferred to Alabama last offseason from Georgia. He spent four seasons with the Bulldogs before deciding to transfer to the Crimson Tide following the 2022-2023 season.

In one season at Alabama, Marshall played in all 14 games. He registered 56 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery.

Marshall played both the WILL linebacker position and MIKE linebacker position this past season on Alabama’s defense. He was a valuable addition for the Crimson Tide. Marshall provided veteran leadership and experience to Alabama’s linebacker room.

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Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program and the 2024 NFL draft.