2010 Indiana Hoosiers Football preview: linebackers.

Much like every other unit of the defense, IU will be breaking in several new contributors at linebacker.

Who's back?

Tyler Replogle, 6-2 Sr.: Replogle played as a true freshman and his playing time has steadily increased.  Last year, Replogle was second on the team in tackles and had six tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception.  He is the only returning starter at linebacker.

Chad Sherer, 6-0 So.: Expected to start at one of the outside linebacker positions, Sherer spent his freshman year as a reserve and special teamer, and recorded

Leon Beckum, 5-11 Jr.: Like Sherer, Beckum spent time in 2009 as a backup and on special teams.

Jamie Lukaszewski, 5-9 Sr.: Lukaszewski spent nearly all of his first three years on campus on the scout team, but got lots of playing time on special teams last year and is now in the two-deep. 

Who's gone?

Will Patterson,  Matt Mayberry, Justin Carrington.  Mayberry and Patterson were multi-year starters and were IU's leading and third-leading tacklers, respectively.

Who's new?

Damon Sims, 6-3 Fr. (RS): Sims redshirted last year and was a five-time scout team player of the year.

Jeff Thomas, 6-1 Jr.: Thomas is a junior college transfer who enrolled in the spring.  He was the #60 junior college prospect for his class.  After spring practice, he projected as the starter at middle linebacker. 

Dimitrius Carr-Watson, 6-1 redshirt freshman.  Carr-Watson is from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago. 

Obviously, the lack of experience in this group jumps out, but hopefully the experience Replogle and of juco transfer Thomas will help.