Over the next few weeks we will continue previewing each position on the 2014 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units.  Keith McKenzie, the linebackers coach, is featured in this segment.

Perhaps Wayne State's strongest position last year, linebacker may be the thinnest in terms of depth heading into 2014. 

Gone are Ed Viverette, Moe Davenport and Steve O'Shell, who combined for 69 starts.

"We brought in seven freshmen linebackers and we have seven linebackers on the team right now, so we're going to double that up,"  Winters said. "Some of those freshmen will have to be ready to play."

Even with the losses, senior and three-year letterwinner Nores Fradi returns at strong side linebacker.  He made 10 starts last season and was second on the team in tackles-for-loss with 8.5 and third in total tackles with 61.  Anthony DeDamos made 29 stops in 2013 and gives WSU a physical linebacker in the middle.  Sophomore Valorian Cunningham, who played safety last season, has moved to weak side linebacker.  During the spring game, Cunningham recorded two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a pair of tackles.

Fradi is tied-for-21st in school history with 23.0 tackles for loss (19 solo, 8 assisted) and his yardage total of 113 is 15th all-time.  "DeDamos gives us a big, physical middle linebacker that we haven't had since Nick Thomas," added Winters.

"Valorian is a big athlete and fast, so he's very similar athletically to Ed Viverette, obviously we don't want to put that kind of pressure on him, Ed was a special player."

Senior linebacker Marcell Jones, a three-year letterwinner, has played in 31 games for the Warriors and provides speed on the outside.  Idris Hobdy is another returner that could see time at the position this year.  Sophomores Alex Kish, who also moved to the position from safety, and Jawun Gamble are two others that give WSU depth at linebacker.

"Marcell is one of the fastest guys on the team so we know he can contribute, especially on special teams," Winters said. "We actually have three sophomores at the position that can play and it's their third years in the program so it's about time that they should play.

Incoming freshmen include weak side linebacker Carterris Carter (Southfield), strong side linebackers Anthony Pittman (Birmingham Groves) and Drew Dowding (Michigan Center), along with middle linebackers Thomas Jones (Chandler Park), Randy Garvin (Rockford) and Dustin Carlin (Utica Stevenson).

Past Position Previews: Quarterbacks, Defensive Backs, Running Backs