VIDEO: Coaches in Cars Getting Coffee – Tyler Almond
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the third part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2024 season. This feature breaks down the Eagles' linebacker corps with assistance from co-DC Tyler Almond.
Carson-Newman's top two leading tacklers from 2023 were both linebackers, and they are both back in 2024.
Reigning SAC Defensive Freshman of the Year Mekhi Brown returns as does senior Christian Hicks after 71 and 62-tackle campaigns. They headline a room that returns 24 starts from last season.
"Mekhi is a phenomenal athlete," Almond said. "It's awesome to inherit the reigning freshman of the year for the conference. He's been one of the better talents I've been around. What's scary is that he's still a young guy, so he's still working out some of the fundamental things. We're trying to sharpen that, and once he figures that out, he'll really start receiving accolades."
Brown was listed in Lindy's Magazine as a preseason All-American.
Brown turned in a stellar freshman campaign that saw him earn conference player of the week honors on two occasions. He is the seventh Eagle to win the defensive honor and the 13th to be presented with either the defensive or offensive freshman of the year accolade. Brown led Carson-Newman with 71 tackles. He also tallied 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, picked off two passes (one of which he returned for a score), recovered two fumbles and blocked a kick. He was the first freshman recognized with a weekly honor from the SAC in five years, while also becoming the first player in more than 15 years to go back-to-back as a player of the week for the league for C-N.
"Coming in as a freshman, you come in and you play and have so many things to figure out because it's college," Almond said. "That's difficult, then to be a big contributor, you have a leadership role that you inherit. Mekhi is continuing to mature because he's starting to show what it looks like instead of just being a talent on the field."
Carson-Newman's second-leading tackler in 2023, Hicks closed the year with 62 stops and five tackles for loss. He had a career-best 11 tackles against Lenoir-Rhyne (Sep. 23) and finished five games with at least seven tackles.
"Christian has been phenomenal, and I can't say that enough," Almond said. "He has figured out the leadership position and ran with it. I would expect a big year out of him. Fundamentally, he is one of our best guys."
Cottle appeared in all 11 games with six starts at linebacker. He produced 39 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He had four quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a pass break up. Cottle led the Eagles' defense with eight tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass break up in C-N's 35-3 beatdown of Virginia-Lynchburg (Aug. 31) en route to TSWA Player of the Week honors.
Bohleber was Carson-Newman's leading special teams tackler in 2023, registering 12 stops on kickoffs and punts. He had 14 tackles on the year. He appeared in all 11 games for C-N.
"I really think that they are all competing for jobs," Almod said. "The culture that we are building, anyone who can produce and help the team will find a way on the field. Jake has started a lot of games while Rouse and Bohleber have bright futures. I like Cruz Temple as well. So far he's done a nice job and can be a contributor."
Carson-Newman's position previews continue Tuesday with a glimpse of the defensive line with help from Johnson Jamison.
