We’ve spent a lot of time talking about quarterbacks and running backs on this week’s JB’s Star Watch, so let’s show the defensive guys a little love.
My final Star Watch player this week is Georgia Tech linebacker Kyle Efford.
And this kid is a football player.
Efford has led Georgia Tech in tackles for three consecutive seasons. He’s physical, experienced, plays with an edge and has become the guy in the middle of that Yellow Jacket defense.
He’s also on the Butkus Award watch list, and I think he’s got an opportunity this season to show that he belongs in that conversation.
But here’s what I’m watching with Efford.
I’m not particularly interested in seeing 12 tackles on the stat sheet if eight of them come six or seven yards downfield.
That’s not how I evaluate linebacker play.
I want to see where those tackles happen.
Is he diagnosing the play quickly and getting downhill?
Is he beating blockers to the spot?
Is he filling the correct gap?
Can he scrape over the top and make the play outside the tackle box?
And when Georgia Tech sends him after the quarterback, can he create some havoc in the backfield?
That’s linebacker play.
Efford has already proven he can find the football. You don’t lead your team in tackles three straight years by accident.
Now I’m looking for impact plays.
Tackles for loss. Pressures. Third-down stops. Creating turnovers. Plays that change possessions and get the defense off the field.
Those are the things that separate a good linebacker from one of the best linebackers in the country.
And if Efford wants to work his way from the Butkus preseason watch list into being a legitimate candidate for the award, those are the plays I’m going to be looking for.
We’ve got plenty of offensive stars to watch this weekend.
I’m putting my eyes on one of the guys trying to ruin their afternoon.
Kyle Efford. Georgia Tech linebacker.
He’s officially on JB’s Star Watch.
