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Key Losses: Danny Carmichael and Cam Robinson.

Key Returner: Antwan Davis brings the most experience to a young group as the lone senior. Davis started 11 games a year ago and enjoyed a career season with 52 stops. He's a smart player who can handle all three spots, but the coaches are counting on his leadership the most in 2010.

Battle to Watch: The most eye-catching battle this fall will be in the middle, where senior Antwan Davis and junior Gorby Loreus plan to fight it out. Davis has the experience, but Loreus is the powerful athlete who was made for the position. Don't forget upstart Stephen Roberts either: the freshman is loaded with potential but just needs experience.

Spring Standout: Darin Davis was the easy choice here. After watching all the film from his play in the spring, the coaches said he was the most consistent and the most violent at the point of attack and simply made the most plays. The North Lauderdale, Fla., native is ready for a big year, and if he picks up where he left off in the spring the Blue Raider defense will be that much better for it.

Coach McCray on the linebackers
"This linebacking group has definitely increased its speed from a year ago and is one of the most athletic units I have worked with in my 19 years of coaching. They all love the game and play with enthusiasm and violence. There is a lot of potential throughout the lineup, and I liked what I saw in the spring, but now its time to take the next step. It will be extremely important for us to find a leader out of this group if we want to be successful."

Sam
DARIN DAVIS (Junior) - Improved more than any other linebacker during the spring ... Covers well from sideline to sideline and is violent at the point of attack ... Is really starting to understand the position ... Very athletic and has great speed.

CRAIG ALLEN (r-Freshman) - One of the most gifted linebackers athletically on the team ... Can cover a lot of ground and has a great burst ... Needs to improve his tackling and become more physical ... Has a tremendous future.

Mike
ANTWAN DAVIS (Senior) - Understands the entire defense as well as anybody on the team ... Can play all three linebacker positions ... Brings much-needed experience to the unit ... Will be counted on for leadership in 2010.

GORBY LOREUS (Junior) - Missed most of the spring with an injury but should be ready when fall camp opens in August ... Very athletic player who brings a great burst ... Strong and powerful on contact ... Will push for a starting spot in the fall.

STEPHEN ROBERTS (r-Freshman) - Is still very young but has the frame to be a great linebacker ... Can help at multiple positions ... Runs well and has a great burst ... Must improve on knowledge of defense.

Will
JUSTIN JONES (Sophomore) - Showed flashes of his potential as a true freshman last year ... Has toughness and runs well to the football ... Made a big jump in the spring in his overall game ... Possesses a high level of knowledge of the defense.

RODERIC BLUNT (r-Freshman) - One of the most natural physical players on the team ... Has a relentless motor to the football ... Another linebacker with excellent speed ... Must improve his knowledge of the game.

Returners
35 Craig Allen r-Fr. Sam
39 Roderic Blunt r-Fr. Will
55 *Jerry Cobb r-Jr. Sam
52 Antwan Davis Sr. Mike
59 Darin Davis Jr. Sam
22 David Jones r-Fr. Will
32 Justin Jones So. Will
43 Gorby Loreus Jr. Mike
87 Stephen Roberts r-Fr. Mike
56 Norman Washington r-Jr. Mike

Newcomers
48 Jonathan Brooks Fr. Will
44 Corey Carmichael Fr. Mike
40 Leighton Gasque Fr. Sam
28 Christian Henry Fr. Will
*Nonscholarship

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