VIDEO: Coaches in Cars Getting Coffee – Caleb Goins and the Linebackers
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the seventh part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2023 season. This feature breaks down the Eagle linebackers with assistance from defensive quality control coach and recent linebacking grad Caleb Goins.
Task one for Goins. Replace himself and fellow All-SAC linebacker Alonzo Houston. Goins concluded his Carson-Newman career with 112 career tackles and 13 tackles for loss, as well as a spot on the NFF Hampshire Honor Society.
"It's funny, because we'll watch film from last year, and I'll point out something to watch," Goins said. "And I'm actually talking about myself. They rightfully pick on me when I was too high. It's been a great experience and it's been a lot of fun to transition into this role."
Meanwhile, Carson-Newman's leading tackler in 2022, Houston wrapped up the year with 83 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss to go along with a pick and two pass breakups. Houston concluded his Carson-Newman career with 256 stops – the 18th most for an Eagle in a career.
Goins and Houston started every last season. However, it was freshman linebacker Jake Cottle who inserted himself into the starting lineup at WILL for the final four games of the year. Cottle, as well as top special teams tackler Zach Williams account for the bulk of the returning experience at the position.
"Zach and Jake both worked hard in the offseason lifting weights," Goins said. "Zach has emerged as a voice in that room and Jake is starting to emerge in that role as well."
Cottle wrapped up the year fifth on the team in tackles with 43. Included in that tally were 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He all broke up two passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. He was most productive toward the end of the season. Cottle accounted for 23 of his 43 tackles in the final three weeks of the season. He had nine tackles against UVA Wise (Nov. 5), including seven solo, sandwiched around seven-tackle performances against Emory & Henry (Oct. 29) and Catawba (Nov. 12). His fuimble recovery came in week two against Franklin Pierce (Sept. 10). His forced fumble was a strip sack at Mars Hill (Oct. 22).
Williams has seized a leadership role, as has Mars Hill transfer Christian Hicks after sitting out last year. Hicks appeared in four games for Mars Hill during the spring CoVID season.
"Christian and Zach have unreal work ethic," Goins said. "In meetings, they are taking notes and asking questions. In the weight room, those guys get after it, and they will call you out and keep you accountable if you aren't doing what you're supposed to be doing. Guys gravitate towards that. That's how they've emerged as leaders. They are holding the standard. They didn't have much of a voice last year, and now they have been thrust into that role and are delivering."
Among guys who were in the program last year, Storm Livesay and Mekhi Brown factor into the equation. Brown redshirted last season, while Livesay appeared in all 11 games last year, making three tackles on special teams. Livesay is a Claiborne County product who had 87 tackles and 13 sacks as a senior. Brown recorded 90 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and four sacks at linebacker at Hardee High School Helped lead the Wildcats to the district championship in 2018.
Goins pointed to transfers Jomier Augustine, Nehemiah McCoy, Justin Rouse and Jyliek Harrington as transfers who have made the leap onto the depth chart.
"Jomier came in and learned the system," Goins said. "Nemo (McCoy) has made a ton of plays in camp, and North Greenville transfer Justin Rouse just plays hard."
Augustine bounced from Howard to Kennesaw State. At Howard University, he recorded 35 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss. McCoy suited up with Augustine at Kennesaw State, but didn't appear in any games for the Owls. At Irwin County High School, he notched 100 tackles, 31 assists, 9.0 sacks and three kick blocks.
"Mekhi and Storm are so fast, so are Jomier and Nemo," Goins said. "Hicks and I raced each other constantly last year. I can't catch him now. It's a testament to Jeff Boschman and Ryan Henry getting those guys right. The speed they have developed helps define them."
Rouse made 18 career tackles in 22 career games as a reserve linebacker for North Greenville, while Harrington made 12 stops in four career games with the Erskine Flying Fleet. He had 3.0 tackles for loss.
"We as a staff did a nice job bringing in some depth," Goins said. "Those guys merged well with the returners. They bring out the best in each other because its competitive and guys can't get comfortable.
"The big thing for us is that guys want to learn and they are taking coaching well. Guys like Temoris Coats and Alonzo Houston would also look to go to coaches to build knowledge. I see that with this group. When they make mistakes, they make them at full tempo and full speed."
Carson-Newman's position previews wrap up Friday with a glimpse of the quarterbacks with help from offensive coordinator Kevin McKeethan.
