Throughout fall camp, LetsGoPeay.com will take a look at each of the position groups as the Austin Peay State University football team goes through preparations for the 2020 season. Between the stacked line and the battle-tested secondary lies the linebackers, with an All-OVC caliber tackling machine in Jack McDonald anchoring a unit that has plenty of young upstarts looking to prove themselves worthy of playing time while pushing a group of vets that have been through the big moments and are unafraid of the bright lights.

If you look down through the Austin Peay linebacker depth chart, one thing jumps out.

Of the 14 players listed at linebacker, 10 are either seniors with tons of experience or wide-eyed freshmen about to get their first real taste of college football. Expected to be the one to lead this unit is a linebacker-turned tight end-turned-linebacker again; somehow, it all works because the leaders—the guys in their second and third year in the system, with a deep knowledge of the scheme, are imparting that wisdom to the next generation.

It starts with Jack McDonald, Austin Peay's leading tackler from a year ago. After being, not just shuffled from position to position but from one side of the ball to the other, he finally found a home at linebacker and rewarded the Govs with All-OVC production, although the voters did not deem him worthy of postseason honors. In the view of the voters, he simply must improve upon his redshirt sophomore season, when he posted 118 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and an interception, fumble forced and fumble recovered.

Maybe they'll get it right this year.

"We kept going back and forth on what to do with Jack, but he was buried in depth at tight end and we were shorthanded at linebacker when I got here," said linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Mark Powell. "As a defensive staff, we thought he had something to offer us and we weren't sure at first what it might be, but he's so smart and has such a good understanding of the scheme, he's cool and calm when things are moving quickly. Jack is doing a heck of a job."

The departure of Pat Walker and his 108 tackles from last season leaves a void at the Mike spot, and offers one of camps more intriguing battles for playing time. Cameron Miller, who notched 23 tackles across 12 games last season, and Kennesaw State graduate transfer Troy Henderson Jr., who can also boast FBS-level experience from his time at Syracuse, are in competition for the job, giving Powell a pair of battle-tested players he can pair with McDonald.

"Cam brings back a lot of experience," Powell said. "He's been in the system for a few years and I know him and am comfortable with him from my time at Mississippi State. And Troy, he's been in the ACC [at Syracuse], he's been with a great team in Kennesaw and now he comes in with us. He brings a veteran presence to our room, he's been through the dog days and he knows how to study."

If you're looking for someone to have a Shaun Whittinghill-style breakout, look no further than Elijah Shepard. A redshirt senior, Shepard has paid his dues and is a mid-level version of Isaiah Norman—a versatile athlete who can line up in different spots to take advantage of matchups.

An unsung name to keep an eye on is Brandon Lopes, a redshirt sophomore. Injury kept the Georgia native down a lot of last year, and Powell believes he can provide depth while being groomed for a larger role in the future. Hunter Scholato and Spencer Katoanga also return to provide leadership and depth.

Depth is the name of the game, and Powell knows that with the youth in the linebacker room he'll need to quickly establish who he can turn to in an effort to supplement his starters.

"Building some depth into this unit this year is so important," Powell said. "If you want to win in this league, you have to have depth across the board. Adversity is going to hit. Every single man has to be ready, because the next snap might be yours."

Seven true freshmen are in the linebackers room, soaking up knowledge and eager to grab as many snaps as they can from the veterans. Georgia natives Nick Carozza and Cade Payne have turned heads early, but MJ Hampton, Sam Howard, Conner Murphy, Antoine Williams and Grant Wisdom could all contribute at some point during the season.

"We have a personality-driven room and our guys are meshing really well," Powell said. "I'm excited for this group. Once it slows down for them and they get into a groove, the young guys going to be in good shape."

POWELL'S PERSPECTIVE: "The older guys, who have been in it for a few years, will see something in drills and they'll take the young guy aside and coach him while I'm coaching the next rep. When you have those guys who understand the expectation and can instill it in the young guys, you are so far ahead as a unit. It's so exciting to see these guys grow and mature."

2020 Returnees / 2019 Stats

Spencer Katoanga (R-Jr.) / Did not see action in 2019
Brandon Lopes (R-So.) / Did not see action in 2019
Jack McDonald (R-Jr.) / 15 games, 118 tackles (58 solo), 9.5 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 4 PBU
Cameron Miller (R-Sr.) / 12 games, 23 tackles (15 solo), 2.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks
Hunter Scholato (R-Jr.) / 2 games
Elijah Shepard (R-Sr.) / 15 games, 25 tackles (10 solo), 3.0 TFL, 1 FR

2020 Newcomers

Nick Carozza (Fr.)
MJ Hampton (Fr.)
Troy Henderson Jr. (R-Sr.) / Kennesaw State graduate transfer
Sam Howard (Fr.)
Conner Murphy (Fr.)
Cade Payne (Fr.)
Antoine Williams (Fr.)
Grant Wisdom (Fr.)