Tag: outside linebackers

Two former Wisconsin Badgers earn spots on AP NFL All-Pro second team

Two former Wisconsin Badgers earn spots on AP NFL All-Pro second team

Former Wisconsin outside linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and T.J. Watt earned spots on the 2024 AP NFL All-Pro second team on Friday.

This marks Watt’s fifth All-Pro nod. Van Ginkel, meanwhile, received the designation for the first time in his six-year career.

The two playmakers were placed in the platoons ‘edge rushers’ unit alongside Denver Broncos star Nik Bonitto. Other notable defenders on the second team include lineman Jalen Carter (Philadelphia Eagles), linebacker Bobby Wagner (Washington Commanders), cornerback Derwin James (Los Angeles Chargers) and safety Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore Ravens).

Watt, who earned team MVP honors for the fifth time in his eight-year tenure with the Steelers, finished the regular season with 61 total tackles 11 1/2 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss, 27 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles, four pass deflections and two fumble recoveries. Earlier this year, he also became the second-fastest player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks.

Like Watt, Van Ginkel devoured opposing offenses in 2024. In his first season as a Viking, the Iowa native recorded 79 total tackles, 19 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss, 11 1/2 sacks, six pass deflections and a pair of pick-sixes for the Vikings’ defensive unit.

In Week 16 against the Seahawks, he became the first player since Jason Taylor to notch at least two pick-sixes and 10 sacks in a single season.

The stellar season also propelled Van Ginkel to his first career Pro Bowl appearance.

Both defensive game-wreckers will suit up for the 2025 NFL playoffs for their respective teams. Watt will lead the Steelers defense into Baltimore, while Van Ginkel and the Vikings will travel to face the Los Angeles Rams.

Wisconsin legend dominates in Steelers thrilling win over Cincinnati Bengals

Wisconsin legend dominates in Steelers thrilling win over Cincinnati Bengals

Wisconsin defensive legend T.J. Watt registered another monster output in the Steelers’ 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

After notching just four tackles in the Steelers’ snowstorm loss against the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 21, Watt returned to the forefront of Pittsburgh’s defensive attack against Joe Burrow and the Bengals at Paycor Stadium.

Watt accumulated three solo tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in the contest as the Steelers snagged their ninth win of the 2024 season.

Watt is now responsible for 9.5 sacks on the season and 106 sacks for his career. If he secures 0.5 more sacks this season, it would be the sixth campaign of 10 or more sacks for the generational talent.

Through 12 games, he now also leads the NFL in forced fumbles with five.

The former Badger’s most dominant defensive sequence came with just under five minutes remaining in the second quarter. With the game knotted at 21, Watt maneuvered around a Bengals offensive lineman to strip-sack Burrow and flip possession.

Kicker Chris Boswell would convert a 50-yard field goal to push the Steelers ahead 24-21 on the ensuing possession.

Watt wasn’t the only Badger alumnus that showed out on Sunday. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for the second-most yards of his career in the victory, and outside linebacker Nick Herbig also recorded a strip-sack.

Watt will likely finish this season near the top of the Defensive Player of the Year voting. His crew is back on the gridiron on Dec. 8 vs. the Browns in Pittsburgh.

Wisconsin legend dominates for Steelers in Week 6 vs. Raiders

Wisconsin legend dominates for Steelers in Week 6 vs. Raiders

Wisconsin defensive legend T.J. Watt registered another monster performance in a 32-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

A week after posting eight tackles, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble in a narrow loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Watt forced a pair of fumbles and notched five solo tackles against the Raiders this weekend.

Watt, who turned 30 years old on Oct. 11, is as dominant as ever in his eighth season as a member of the Steelers. His first forced fumble arrived late in the second quarter when he executed a perfect punch against Raiders’ running back Dylan Laube.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1845573353312268487

Fellow former Badger Keeanu Benton recovered the fumble to flip possession back in Pittsburgh’s favor. The ensuing possession resulted in a three-yard rushing touchdown from Justin Fields and pushed the Steelers ahead 12-7.

Watt’s second forced fumble came within 30 seconds of the fourth frame when Ameer Abdullah attempted a one-yard rush to bring the Raiders within one score. The former Badger, however, had other plans.

Here’s the full sequence:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1845591785474584891

On the season, Watt has accumulated 25 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year recorded his 100th sack of his career a week ago. He and the Steelers will continue their 2024 campaign against the New York Jets on Oct. 20.

Projecting Georgia’s starting outside linebackers

The outside linebacker room may be one of UGA football’s top weaknesses in 2023.

The outside linebacker room is one of Georgia’s biggest weaknesses on its 2023 roster. The Bulldogs don’t return much experience at outside linebacker and may have to count on true freshman to rush the passer.

However, Georgia has a ton of talent at outside linebacker. The Bulldogs’ outside linebacker room if filled with former four- and five-star recruits.

The Bulldogs have some depth at outside linebacker, but Chaz Chambliss is the only returning player with extensive experience.

Who do we project to be Georgia’s starting outside linebackers in 2023?

Ravens HC John Harbaugh says defenders are ‘excited’ to work with new OLB coach Chuck Smith

John Harbaugh told reporters about his players’ excitement to work with coach Chuck Smith in the Ravens’ pre-draft press conference

One of the most underrated moves of the Baltimore Ravens’ offseason has been the addition of outside linebackers coach Chuck Smith to their administrative roster. Known as a pass rush guru, Smith cut his teeth at the NFL level as a member of the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers in the 1990s, earning an All-Pro selection for his 1997 campaign.

Head coach John Harbaugh commented on Smith’s addition to his staff during the Ravens’ pre-draft press conference and made it clear that his new outside linebackers coach is bringing new energy to the entire defense, not just his pass-rushing underlings.

“Chuck is a pass rush coach, and he’s also a football coach. He’s going to coach all aspects of it and continue to develop as a coach, like we all do, going forward. But the pass rush stuff, man, I really haven’t come across anybody better over the last many number of years…He was here all the way back in 2008 working with our guys in training camp, and you don’t forget that. So, I know our guys are excited, [and] those young guys are excited to work with him. And yes, like you’re saying, he’ll be a big addition as far as the Draft, but also really coaching our guys.”

It will take time for Baltimore’s defenders to adjust to Smith’s tactics in 2023, but early indications are that his presence will be a welcome change to the Ravens’ somewhat stagnant defensive effort. Under his guidance players like David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh should be able to take steps forward next season as they help Baltimore pursue greater success in the playoffs.

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Ravens hire former All-Pro DE as OLBs coach

The Ravens hired a former All-Pro defensive end as their new outside linebackers coach

The Baltimore Ravens haven’t been shy about adding talent to their coaching staff this offseason. The team has seen coaches come and go over the course of their franchise history, and it’s been more of the same over the course of the last few weeks.

On Wednesday, Baltimore made another impactful move on their coaching staff by adding former All-Pro defensive lineman Chuck Smith to be their outside linebackers coach. Smith has worked with countless players on their pass rush, and now enters a room with talented edge pieces such as Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo and more.

Smith’s previous coaching experience in the NFL is minimal, though he’ll have plenty of support while he acclimates to his new role with the Ravens. He coached the defensive line for the Tennessee Titans in 2010 after a nine-year playing career with the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers that ended in 2000. Smith also developed a pass rush training program utilized by players and coaches at the collegiate and NFL level.

While he is relatively untested as a coach, Smith should provide valuable input for the Ravens’ defense as they look to bolster their pass rush next season. Over the course of his career, Smith managed to find his way to the quarterback more than 58 times and surpassed the 10-sack threshold in three of the eight seasons he played in Atlanta.

Baltimore tied for the fourth-best mark in total sacks last season, and the Ravens should be primed for an even better showing in 2023 with Smith’s pass-rushing expertise at their disposal.

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Clayton Smith commits to Oklahoma over Texas, LSU

2021 4* OLB Clayton Smith has committed to play at Oklahoma. Smith is the Sooners’ top-ranked defensive player in the 2021 recruiting class.

Another in-state prospect will be leaving the state of Texas, with 2021 four-star outside linebacker Clayton Smith going north of the border to Norman. The top-rated linebacker in the state, Smith is Oklahoma’s top-ranked defensive player in the 2021 class.

According to the 247Sports composite, Smith is the eighth-ranked outside linebacker in the country and the 17th ranked overall player in the state of Texas. Smith chose the Sooners over Florida State, Kentucky, LSU, Oregon, and Texas.

12 out of the top 20 players in the state of Texas have committed so far, with seven going out of state. LSU and Oklahoma have landed a couple prospects, while Ohio State and USC have also entered the Lone Star State.

Despite Smith and four-star wide receiver Mario Williams committing today, Oklahoma still ranks third in the Big 12 for the 2021 recruiting cycle. Texas and Baylor both sit ahead of the Sooners, as the Longhorns continue to have the only five-star commitment in the conference.

As for recruiting more outside linebackers in the 2021 class, Texas may be set with what they have. Four-star Derrick Harris Jr. has been committed since August 3, 2019, while three-star Morice Blackwell committed earlier this month.

Three-star Terrance Cooks is 100% towards the Longhorns on 247Sports Crystal Ball, but Tom Herman may be set with the recruits the have at the position.

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DE Charles Omenihu likes the Texans hiring OLB coach Chris Rumph

Houston Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu endorses the recent hiring of Chris Rumph as outside linebackers coach.

Defensive end Charles Omenihu is in favor of the Houston Texans’ recent hiring of Chris Rumph to be the team’s outside linebackers coach in 2020.

According to a tweet from the former 2019 fifth-round pick from Texas, Rumph attempted to recruit Omenihu in high school at Rowlett (Texas) High School in 2014 when he was the assistant head coach and defensive line coach under Charlie Strong.

While Rumph did end up getting Omenihu to commit to Texas, the defensive line coach was on to a new job in 2015 with the Florida Gators as their defensive line coach, and eventually serving as co-defensive coordinator in his last year of 2017.

Rumph previously spent the past two seasons as the Tennessee Volunteers’ outside linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator.

Omenihu collected 3.0 sacks, 13 tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups in 14 games played for the Texans. While new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver will continue to coach Omenihu and other defensive linemen, at least Houston brought into the fold a coach that could be well-respected by the players.