Position Analysis: Linebackers
by: Ian Scott
August 18, 1999

One of Bob Davie's biggest tasks in 1999 will be replacing a linebacking
corps that lost all three of it's primary starters from a year ago. Without
the services of four-year starter Kory Minor and two-year starters Jimmy
Friday and Bobbie Howard, the linebackers for the upcoming season will
not be as strong as they were a year ago. However, the Fighting Irish do
have a few capable candidates that could step in this year and get the job
done.

Two-time monogram winner Anthony Denman is the leading candidates for a
job at inside linebacker. With 28 tackles and just under 75 minutes of
playing time in '98, the 6'2'' 230 lbs. junior is also probably the most
experienced of Davie's options. He played in all 12 of Notre Dame's games
last year and, saw time at linebacker in all but the Army game. Denman
finished spring-drills as a first-teamer, and was the Defensive MVP in the
1999 Blue-Gold Game. Kory Minor left his back-up with big shoes to fill, but
do not be surprised if Anthony Denman makes a huge impact this fall.

The Irish have another two-time monogram winner in senior Ronnie Nicks.
Nicks finished spring-drills as the other first-teamer at inside linebacker.
He does not have nearly the experience as Denman, but is probably still a
step ahead of Notre Dame's two other options for inside linebacker : Tyreo
Harrison and Carlos Pierre-Antoine. He saw action in 10 games last season
including the Gator Bowl. One major concern with Nicks is that he has been
injured in the past.  He sat out both the Army and Navy games and missed a
few practices due to minor injuries. Nicks is probably going to be a starter for
the next two years and needs to stay healthy. If he does, he will make a huge
impact at inside linebacker.

The Irish should have two solid back-ups this year at inside linebacker
in sophomores Carlos Pierre-Antoine and Tyreo Harrison. Pierre-Antoine has
tremendous athletic ability, and will most likely work with Anthony Denman on
the left-side. He did not see any action as a freshman last season, but that
certainly will not be the case this year. Pierre-Antoine was ranked as the
29th best player out of high school in 1998 and was a Prep All-American. He
has the athletic ability and the credentials; how he will fare at Notre Dame
remains to be seen. However, as a back-up this season and a starter in 2000
and 2001, Carlos Pierre-Antoine should give even the best offenses (Tennessee
and Michigan) something to worry about.

Tyreo Harrison played in 7 games last season and played briefly in the
Gator Bowl. Like Pierre-Antoine he is young and unproven but has excellent
potential. He will most likely work with Ronnie Nicks on the right side.
The impact he will make this year is yet to be seen, but should become an
excellent linebacker for his final two years at Notre Dame.

The starting job at outside linebacker will be taken over by Rocky Boiman
this year. He has limited playing experience but the coaches cannot stop
raving about his work ethic. He made 114 special teams appearances last
season as a freshman. Originally a defensive back, Boiman has added nearly
40 lbs. to get up to 255 lbs. and has made an excellent transition to outside
linebacker. He should be able to do very well in pass coverage situations
and can be counted on to defend a wide receiver. He is only a sophomore but
he will have a huge impact this season. He refuses to quit and thats what
the coaches love. Rocky Boiman's motivation and desire to win is that of
which should be associated with Notre Dame.

Boiman's back-up will be Joey Ferrer. Ferrer is a two-time monogram
winner who saw action in all but one of Notre Dame's games last year. He
made key defensive plays against Purdue, Arizona State, Army , and Georgia
Tech. He is neither as big or as strong as Rocky Boiman but will be a key
role-player in his last season at Notre Dame.

Mike Tribe, Anthony Drannon, and Brendan Farrell round out the
linebackers on Notre Dame's roster. None of them have much experience and
are all seniors. However, in case of injury they could be relied upon in
game situations.

With a strong defensive line and a very strong secondary, the linebackers
are the biggest uncertainty. With Grant Irons moving to defensive end the
Fighting Irish will have to rely on young but capable players to get the job
done at this particular position. They should be all right this year, and with sophomores Tyreo
Harrison, Carlos Pierre-Antoine, and Rocky Boiman, they will be a force to be
reckoned with in 2000 and 2001!!!