Wayne State University Athletics

Football 8/9/2024 8:04:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

2024 WSU Football - Linebackers Preview

DETROIT -- Over the next two weeks, we will continue previewing each position on the 2024 Wayne State University football team with each position coach highlighting their respective units. This segment is the linebackers preview with coach Glenn Davis.

Redshirt senior Carl Ware led last year's squad in tackles (41-23) and is the most experienced returning linebacker. Quincy Salter saw action in all 11 games last fall, primarily on kickoff return along with three games as a back-up linebacker.

Justin Hart, who appeared in the first three games in 2023, before missing the final eight contests due to a season-ending injury also returns. He saw action on all four special teams in all three games played and as a back-up outside linebacker in the last two games played.

Redshirt sophomore Devon Brown saw action in the first eight contests a season ago.

Three redshirt freshmen also return for their second year with the Warriors. Armon Garfield did not dress for any contests last season, while both CJ Gordon and Derrick Wallace, Jr. appeared in three games each to retain freshman eligibility. Gordon saw action in the final three regular-season contests, while Wallace dressed for seven consecutive games (weeks 4-10), seeing action in three contests.

Junior Will Fennema, who transferred in January from Madonna, received Honorable Mention All-Mid-States Football Association Mideast Division accolades for 2023 when he finished second on the squad with 48 tackles (29 solo, 19 assisted).

Morgan State transfer Kaleb Coleman could see playing time at either safety or the Leo position. He played in 31 games for the Bears over the last three seasons totaling 88 tackles (68-20).

Junior college transfer Shamarr Joppy was a First Team NJCAA All-American last years for the Hudson Valley Community College Vikings. He finished the season with 82 tackles (52-30), including 5.5 for loss (one sack). Joppy garnered two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, five interceptions (for 86 yards), six pass break-ups and one blocked kick to earn Third Team All-America recognition from the JC Gridiron.

The two recruits at linebacker are Jawaun Harmon from Youngstown Chaney and Gavin Troy from Port Huron. Troy will miss this fall due to an injury suffered during the 2024 high school baseball season.

Other Position Previews
Season Preview
Running Backs Preview
Defensive Line Preview
Defensive Backs Preview
Quarterbacks Preview
Offensive Line Preview

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Players Mentioned

#32 Devon Brown: NLB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore

#56 Armon Garfield: OLB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#50 CJ Gordon: OLB; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

#48 Justin Hart: MLB; 6' 2"; Senior

#53 Quincy Salter: MLB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

#30 Derrick Wallace, Jr.: NLB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#4 Carl Ware: OLB; 5' 11"; Graduate Student

#11 Will Fennema: MLB; 6' 2"; Junior

#45 Gavin Troy: NLB; 5' 11"; Freshman

#1 Kaleb Coleman: S; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#32 Devon Brown
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore
: NLB

#56 Armon Garfield
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: OLB

#50 CJ Gordon
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: OLB

#48 Justin Hart
: 6' 2"; Senior
: MLB

#53 Quincy Salter
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: MLB

#30 Derrick Wallace, Jr.
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: NLB

#4 Carl Ware
: 5' 11"; Graduate Student
: OLB

#11 Will Fennema
: 6' 2"; Junior
: MLB

#45 Gavin Troy
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: NLB

#1 Kaleb Coleman
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: S