After injury-marred 2021, Georgia Southern linebackers have 'something to prove' this year

STATESBORO — Three of Georgia Southern's top inside linebackers going into the new season spent an inordinate amount of time off the football field last season.

Khadry Jackson, a transfer in 2021 from North Carolina, missed five games with a knee injury. Marques Watson-Trent, a new starter, tore his ACL in the season opener and was sidelined for the year.

Todd Bradley-Glenn, entering his sixth campaign for the Eagles and a projected starter, never got to suit up after tearing the biceps in his left arm in the first preseason scrimmage and missing all 12 games.

No wonder Will Harris, the new defensive coordinator, said the group is playing "with a chip on their shoulders" — a sentiment echoed by linebackers coach Aaron Schwanz.

"I see a lot of leadership there (at linebacker). There is somewhat a lack of experience, there's definitely something to prove," said Schwanz, who worked with Harris and GS defensive line coach Rip Rowan at the University of Washington last season before they made the move to Statesboro. "I think they've really taken their work in that way."

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Schwanz said the injuries and other setbacks for the team's linebackers — two of the top tacklers from 2021 transferred — could have put them behind with the new staff, but the players have been working since last winter to make the most of every opportunity to improve.

"They've taken it upon themselves to be leaders and close that gap," Schwanz said. "There's definitely a hunger among the group and a lot of competition — that's the best thing about it."

Clay Helton, the new head coach, talks often about the benefits of healthy competition and quality depth. The depth chart at linebacker starts with Bradley-Glenn, now entering his seventh season with the Eagles having made his debut in 2016 as a Valdosta High School graduate.

His battles with adversity include overcoming cancer and a myriad of football-related injuries, and yet he returns for another season. Bradley-Glenn feels "blessed" to be healthy and able to move quickly and without restraint, an aggressive mindset he sees for all of the Eagles defenders.

"We're going to fly around," said the 6-foot, 230-pounder. "We're going to chase the ball. We're going to play fast. We're going to hit people in the mouth. That's our game plan."

Bradley-Glenn, who already has earned one bachelor's degree in marketing and is pursuing a second degree in construction managment (he owns the Bradley-Glenn Construction company), is an important piece in the Eagles' defensive game plan.

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Quarterback of the defense

As a Mike linebacker, he's similar to a quarterback of the defense, communicating plays to teammates. Bradley-Glenn has embraced the leadership role, Schwanz said, while making sure he's physically where he needs to be to play again.

"He's got himself in tremendous shape. It hasn't been overnight," Schwanz said. "He's put in the work ever since I've stepped in here. I've seen a drastic difference from Day 1 physically.

"Mentally, I think he's in a great space in both areas. You definitely see it in the speed and the confidence he's playing with. He elevates everybody else when he's on the field. He gives everybody else confidence as well."

Schwanz preaches that his charges to "play smart, fast and physical," with the emphasis on putting players in positions to succeed. That means analyzing their abilities — he's watched plenty of film from 2021, and plenty of practice since then — and being "personnel-driven in everything we do."

He likes his personnel. He calls Bradley-Glenn, Jackson and Watson-Trent great leaders, adding that Jackson can play either inside or outside linebacker.

"He's a very intelligent, instinctive player," Schwanz said. "He's had a great camp. He's another individidual who's done everything asked of him and more."

Jackson played in seven games in 2021, including the season finale after returning from a right lateral meniscus injury that cost him five games. He totaled 23 tackles, including one sack, and three quarterback hurries.

"I feel like I can run and hit," said the 6-foot-1, 230-pound senior. "When you play linebacker, that's what we come here to do. I feel like running and tackling is my thing. There's always room to grow."

Quin Williams is 'a beast' for Georgia Southern football

Other defensive players to watch include redshirt senior Quin Williams (6-3, 270) and junior Jalen Jackson (6-0, 235), who provide athleticism and physicality at linebacker, creating advantageous one-on-one matchups with would-be blockers.

Williams, regarded as an edge rusher on the defensive line, has the versatility to step back and stand with the linebackers and even drop into coverage.

"He's a beast," Bradley-Glenn said. "He can do whatever he wants. I think he's going to have a very special year. He's one of the guys on defense I feel can take over a game for us."

Keeping the opponent's offense guessing by employing multiple defensive schemes, shifting from play to play, is part of the overall strategy for Harris, who coached an elite defense at Washington. While the Huskies' talented unit was among the best against the pass last season, Georgia Southern ranked among the worst FBS programs in 2021 on that side of the ball.

Schwanz said rather than trying to apply Washington's system to Georgia Southern, it's important to come in with an open mind and be flexible. Fit the personnel to their strengths so they become impact players.

"Our No. 1 goal is to eliminate the big play, which you saw last year," Schwanz said. "We hang our hat that we're not going to sacrifice that. But we're also going to be aggressive."

That's welcome news to Bradley-Glenn, who is in his third different defensive system, and Khadry Jackson, who said Harris' defense is similar to the one he ran at North Carolina.

"It's been sort of a smooth transition," Jackson said. "There's always different verbiage, different language from coach to coach. I think we've done well with that as a defense."

What went wrong in 2021 for Georgia Southern?

The pair of veteran linebackers also wants to transition to 2022 from 2021 when the "injury bug," as Bradley-Glenn called it, plagued the team and particularly the defense.

He said when the older players went down, younger players had to step up, and there's no making up for a lack of experience but by playing. Two true freshmen linebackers, Eldrick Robinson II and Michael Edwards III, were thrust into the lineup. Robinson (75 tackles, two interceptions in 11 games) and Edwards (59), have since transferred to Wake Forest and East Carolina, respectively.

Still, Bradley-Glenn feels good about the mix this season of older and younger players and what was gained from experiencing a 3-9 season in 2021.

"When things start going wrong, we know what to say, know how to keep everything positive," Bradley-Glenn said. "When you're not used to that stuff, you kind of fold a little bit. In your next challenge, you can display what you learned from your failures."

Bradley-Glenn said the team never stopped playing hard. Jackson said the team showed unity that has carried over to the new season.

"Sometimes in football things get a little discombobulated," Jackson said. "One thing about last year, even with all the turmoil, everybody stuck together as a team.

"Everybody's bought in; everybody believes," he added. "That's one thing I can say about last season. It didn't go well but we learned from it. This year, we're going to turn it around."

Nathan Dominitz is the Sports Content Editor of the Savannah Morning News and savannahnow.com. Email him at ndominitz@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @NathanDominitz

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia Southern football linebackers return from injuries for 2022 season