Molding the Men in the Middle of New Defense
7/8/2022 12:06:00 PM | Football, Les Johns
Behind the core of veteran linebackers Ryan Smenda Jr. and Chase Jones, Coach Lambert is looking for a group of younger linebackers to continue to grow.
While the Wake Forest offense last season went out and set yet another program record for scoring (41.0 points a game), the defense had moments where they stepped up in big ways. They were tough as nails in a big road victory against a high-powered Virginia offense, held Boston College to just 10 points and got pivotal stops in a home victory against NC State that helped secure the ACC Atlantic Championship.
The middle of that Wake Forest defense was anchored by a trio of linebackers: Luke Masterson, Ryan Smenda Jr. and Chase Jones. Masterson, who led the team with 85 tackles last season, graduated and has recently signed a free agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The other big change in the linebacker room comes in the form of coaching, as head coach Dave Clawson has brought in Brad Lambert as the new defensive coordinator and Glenn Spencer as the new linebackers coach.
"The culture was set when I came in," Spencer said about the linebackers. "The guys were on time, eager to learn and wrote everything down. Now that practice is over, they're over there doing extra work. I'm pleased. It's a new system, but we have a good mix with some experience in that room and some young guys who are figuring it out. It's been steady progress."
Smenda is the leading returning tackler with 83 stops a season ago and Jones contributing 47 tackles. The likely starting duo at linebacker this season also combined for five forced fumbles.
"I didn't watch a lot," Spencer said when asked if he watched a lot of tape of his players from the 2021 season. "If I come into the room and tell them they have a clean slate, then they need to have a clean slate. I got some input from other coaches here, but I challenged them from day one to make a fresh impression on me and that it wasn't based upon anything in the past. If you need a new start, you got a new start. If you've been doing well, then just keep to it and find something else to make yourself better.
"What plays do you want to pick out? The guys who played had some good plays and sometimes they didn't finish. Probably the biggest issue we're having to face is the depth issue. There are a couple guys who have played a lot and are continuing to progress. But there are a lot of guys who haven't played a lot of reps out there and that's what this spring is about. It's a work in progress."
While the staff dipped into the transfer portal during the summer to add Eldrick Robinson II from Georgia Southern, Spencer is looking to see major progression this fall from a trio of young linebackers: redshirt sophomore Jaylen Hudson, and redshirt freshmen Quincy Bryant and Dylan Hazen.
"Those are the three who need to be on a rapid pace," Spencer, who was the defensive coordinator at South Florida the last two seasons, said. "They know that and I challenged them about that and I told them they can't afford to have an average day. I still don't know who's ready to play. Now, we have a lot of practices between now and the opener. There's been a lot of progress. We want more. It doesn't matter what I want, they have to make it happen."
The staff has the flexibility built in with Hazen, who can play both the MIKE and the WILL linebacker position.
"Mentally, he can do it. Because of depth issues, we need a swing guy," Spencer said. "He can stick, he's strong and has great pad level. It's a little unfair on him. One series he's a WILL and the next series he's a MIKE. I put a lot on him and he has to learn a lot more, but he can handle that.
"Quincy is getting more physical in the box. He has cover skills for an insider backer. His gains have to be in the box with how physical he is. He's not massive, so he has to create leverage and have heavy hands. Jaylen is tall and long, and is working on his pad level. He's sound assignment wise and is effective at getting into throwing lanes with his length."
By the time the season kicks off with the home opener at Truist Field against VMI at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, the Deacs will need five linebackers ready to play, according to Spencer.
"Here's what I will say about all three of them: They are exceptional young men," Spencer said about the younger linebackers. "It's such a pleasure to go to work with them. They are hungry. They want to get better. All three of them will have a chance."
The middle of that Wake Forest defense was anchored by a trio of linebackers: Luke Masterson, Ryan Smenda Jr. and Chase Jones. Masterson, who led the team with 85 tackles last season, graduated and has recently signed a free agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The other big change in the linebacker room comes in the form of coaching, as head coach Dave Clawson has brought in Brad Lambert as the new defensive coordinator and Glenn Spencer as the new linebackers coach.
"The culture was set when I came in," Spencer said about the linebackers. "The guys were on time, eager to learn and wrote everything down. Now that practice is over, they're over there doing extra work. I'm pleased. It's a new system, but we have a good mix with some experience in that room and some young guys who are figuring it out. It's been steady progress."
Smenda is the leading returning tackler with 83 stops a season ago and Jones contributing 47 tackles. The likely starting duo at linebacker this season also combined for five forced fumbles.
"I didn't watch a lot," Spencer said when asked if he watched a lot of tape of his players from the 2021 season. "If I come into the room and tell them they have a clean slate, then they need to have a clean slate. I got some input from other coaches here, but I challenged them from day one to make a fresh impression on me and that it wasn't based upon anything in the past. If you need a new start, you got a new start. If you've been doing well, then just keep to it and find something else to make yourself better.
"What plays do you want to pick out? The guys who played had some good plays and sometimes they didn't finish. Probably the biggest issue we're having to face is the depth issue. There are a couple guys who have played a lot and are continuing to progress. But there are a lot of guys who haven't played a lot of reps out there and that's what this spring is about. It's a work in progress."
While the staff dipped into the transfer portal during the summer to add Eldrick Robinson II from Georgia Southern, Spencer is looking to see major progression this fall from a trio of young linebackers: redshirt sophomore Jaylen Hudson, and redshirt freshmen Quincy Bryant and Dylan Hazen.
"Those are the three who need to be on a rapid pace," Spencer, who was the defensive coordinator at South Florida the last two seasons, said. "They know that and I challenged them about that and I told them they can't afford to have an average day. I still don't know who's ready to play. Now, we have a lot of practices between now and the opener. There's been a lot of progress. We want more. It doesn't matter what I want, they have to make it happen."
The staff has the flexibility built in with Hazen, who can play both the MIKE and the WILL linebacker position.
"Mentally, he can do it. Because of depth issues, we need a swing guy," Spencer said. "He can stick, he's strong and has great pad level. It's a little unfair on him. One series he's a WILL and the next series he's a MIKE. I put a lot on him and he has to learn a lot more, but he can handle that.
"Quincy is getting more physical in the box. He has cover skills for an insider backer. His gains have to be in the box with how physical he is. He's not massive, so he has to create leverage and have heavy hands. Jaylen is tall and long, and is working on his pad level. He's sound assignment wise and is effective at getting into throwing lanes with his length."
By the time the season kicks off with the home opener at Truist Field against VMI at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, the Deacs will need five linebackers ready to play, according to Spencer.
"Here's what I will say about all three of them: They are exceptional young men," Spencer said about the younger linebackers. "It's such a pleasure to go to work with them. They are hungry. They want to get better. All three of them will have a chance."
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