Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: Greg Bullard
Spring Position Roundup - Linebackers
March 14, 2016 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER - In senior Jordan Burton and junior Chad Whitener, Oklahoma State returns a pair of 2015 All-Big 12 linebackers. Burton was a first-team all-league honoree by the Associated Press after ranking second on the team with 98 tackles, to go with nine tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. Whitener secured first-team All-Big 12 accolades from the San Antonio Express News after amassing 93 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery a year ago. The Burton-Whitener duo combined for 191 tackles a year ago - which is the second-most among returning Big 12 linebacker duos.
While not a starter in 2015, Devante Averette was certainly a key contributor and disruptive figure, as evidenced by his 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and defensive touchdown. Averette backed up Seth Jacobs at weakside linebacker a year ago, and with Jacobs now departed, Averette is a logical candidate to move into that spot.
Gyasi Akem, Kirk Tucker, Justin Phillips and Josh Mabin have all seen game action for the Cowboys and are likely to factor into the playing time rotation into the fall. Coming out of redshirt is Kevin Henry.
Tucker has been a special teams standout each of the past two seasons, with Akem and Mabin both helping on special teams as well. After being a significant contributor as a true freshman in 2014 (he had 10 tackles in OSU's Bedlam win at Oklahoma), Phillips missed 2015 to injury. He is back this spring and will be a player to watch as offseason practices progress.
While not a starter in 2015, Devante Averette was certainly a key contributor and disruptive figure, as evidenced by his 30 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and defensive touchdown. Averette backed up Seth Jacobs at weakside linebacker a year ago, and with Jacobs now departed, Averette is a logical candidate to move into that spot.
Gyasi Akem, Kirk Tucker, Justin Phillips and Josh Mabin have all seen game action for the Cowboys and are likely to factor into the playing time rotation into the fall. Coming out of redshirt is Kevin Henry.
Tucker has been a special teams standout each of the past two seasons, with Akem and Mabin both helping on special teams as well. After being a significant contributor as a true freshman in 2014 (he had 10 tackles in OSU's Bedlam win at Oklahoma), Phillips missed 2015 to injury. He is back this spring and will be a player to watch as offseason practices progress.
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