Fresno State Athletics
2022 Position Spotlights: Linebackers
8/22/2022 3:51:00 PM | Football
LINEBACKERS OUTLOOK:
Fresno State brought in former Bulldogs' standout Tim Skipper as assistant head coach and linebackers coach. Skipper was a four-year starter at middle linebacker from 1997 to 2000, a three-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection, twice the Bulldogs' defensive captain and ranks second in school history with 418 career tackles.
He also inherits a deep if not particularly experienced group - only two of the returners have started a game and no one else played more than 135 snaps from scrimmage last season.
Who's back: Levelle Bailey started in 12 of 13 games last season and earned honorable mention on the All-Mountain West Conference team while becoming one of the more consistent playmakers in the conference. Bailey finished third on the team in tackles with 56 stops (33 solo) including 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also grabbed two interceptions and broke up six passes.Â
Bailey, a senior, brings experience and leadership to the group after playing in every game over the past three years with 22 career starts.Â
Junior Malachi Langley made his way into the starting lineup during the later half of the season after Tyson Maeva was injured and ruled out for the season. Langley played in all 13 games with four starts, including the final three games of the season, and finished second on the team with 61 tackles (38 solo). He added 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception and broke up two passes.Â
Additional Returners: Tyler Blount, Zeke Branham, Charlotin Charles, Phoenix Jackson, Tyler Mello.Â
Who's new: Seth Scheidt, Raymond Scott, Tim Thomas.
The Bulldogs went out looking to add some experience and depth and brought in Scott in the spring as a transfer from USC. The senior played in 15 games for the Trojans in his career and recorded 36 tackles including two tackles for loss and one sack.Â
Fresno State also brought in two freshmen in Thomas and Scheidt.Â
Thomas, from Lincoln High in Stockton, arrives with a three-star pedigree. He logged 31 tackles and a sack in his senior season.Â
What to watch: With Bailey returning, there will be one starting position up for grabs. Langley had the edge on the position at the end of last season, but Scott will be looking to make the most of his fresh start and all three are proven playmakers."Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
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