Positional Preview: Linebackers
Aug 17, 2019 | Football
NEW ORLEANS – A big key to the success of the Tulane football team in 2018 was the play of its defensive unit. In order for the Green Wave to once again be a force on the defensive side of the ball, Tulane will need its linebacker unit to make a big impact in 2019.
Armed with nine individuals, featuring two freshman, four sophomores, one junior, one senior and one graduate transfer the Green Wave appear to have the necessary tools for another strong season.
THE UNIT
-Senior Lawrence Graham returns as the linebacker unit's lone returning starter.
-In 2018, Graham started seven games and finished the year with 61 tackles.
-Despite making just five starts a year ago, junior Marvin Moody saw action in all 13 games a year ago and is the team's top returning tackler, as he finished with 71 stops.
-Over the offseason, Tulane welcomed graduate transfer Malik Lawal from Arizona State where he spent the past three seasons. Prior to his career at ASU, Lawal was ranked as the nation's No. 43 outside linebacker and a four-star recruit by 247Sports.
-Tulane's 2019 Signing Class featured the addition of true freshman Dorian Williams, who earned a three-star rating by 247Sports.com.
-The lone departure from last year's squad was senior Zachery Harris, who earned All-American Athletic Conference Second Team honors.
-The Green Wave linebackers will be led by fourth-year linebackers coach Michael Mutz in 2019. Mutz begins his 22nd year overall as a collegiate coach.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
-Tulane's linebackers proved to be a cornerstone for the team's 2018 defensive unit, as they helped the Green Wave rank third in the AAC in total defense.
-Green Wave linebackers also helped Tulane rank second in the AAC in rushing defense.
-In 2018, Tulane linebackers totaled 180 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
-The Green Wave linebackers helped Tulane hold four of its opponents to under 100 yards rushing, including Memphis (31), which finished the year averaging 279.9 yards per game (fourth in the FBS).
-The Green Wave were 3-1 when holding opponents to under 100 yards rushing last season.
Tulane opens the 2019 season on Thursday, August 29 at home against FIU with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. The Green Wave are coming off a memorable 2018 campaign that was highlighted by a win in the AutoNation Cure Bowl and an American Athletic Conference West Division Co-Championship.
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For season ticket information, please call 504-861-WAVE (9283), log on to TulaneTix.com or visit the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
Follow Tulane football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @GreenWaveFB. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
Armed with nine individuals, featuring two freshman, four sophomores, one junior, one senior and one graduate transfer the Green Wave appear to have the necessary tools for another strong season.
THE UNIT
-Senior Lawrence Graham returns as the linebacker unit's lone returning starter.
-In 2018, Graham started seven games and finished the year with 61 tackles.
-Despite making just five starts a year ago, junior Marvin Moody saw action in all 13 games a year ago and is the team's top returning tackler, as he finished with 71 stops.
-Over the offseason, Tulane welcomed graduate transfer Malik Lawal from Arizona State where he spent the past three seasons. Prior to his career at ASU, Lawal was ranked as the nation's No. 43 outside linebacker and a four-star recruit by 247Sports.
-Tulane's 2019 Signing Class featured the addition of true freshman Dorian Williams, who earned a three-star rating by 247Sports.com.
-The lone departure from last year's squad was senior Zachery Harris, who earned All-American Athletic Conference Second Team honors.
-The Green Wave linebackers will be led by fourth-year linebackers coach Michael Mutz in 2019. Mutz begins his 22nd year overall as a collegiate coach.
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
-Tulane's linebackers proved to be a cornerstone for the team's 2018 defensive unit, as they helped the Green Wave rank third in the AAC in total defense.
-Green Wave linebackers also helped Tulane rank second in the AAC in rushing defense.
-In 2018, Tulane linebackers totaled 180 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
-The Green Wave linebackers helped Tulane hold four of its opponents to under 100 yards rushing, including Memphis (31), which finished the year averaging 279.9 yards per game (fourth in the FBS).
-The Green Wave were 3-1 when holding opponents to under 100 yards rushing last season.
Tulane opens the 2019 season on Thursday, August 29 at home against FIU with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. The Green Wave are coming off a memorable 2018 campaign that was highlighted by a win in the AutoNation Cure Bowl and an American Athletic Conference West Division Co-Championship.
d
For season ticket information, please call 504-861-WAVE (9283), log on to TulaneTix.com or visit the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.
Follow Tulane football on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @GreenWaveFB. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
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