State Starters: Linebackers

8/27/2015 2:34:00 PM | Football

RALEIGH, N.C. - With just nine days left until NC State's season opener versus Troy, the depth chart is beginning to take shape. For the next several days, we'll be releasing the depth chart position by position.

LINEBACKERS

Two sophomores with starting experience will man the two linebacker spots in Dave Huxtable's 4-2-5 defense in the season open. Jerod Fernandez was the starter in the middle a year ago and led the team in tackles per game. His 2014 backup, Airius Moore, started four games and this spring moved over to the weak side LB spot.

Veteran M.J. Salahuddin was pencilled in as a starter prior to last season, but an ACL injury in preseason camp kept him on the sidelines. He is expected to continue to improve and become the impact player he was expected to be prior to the injury.

Ernie Robinson III has worked his way up to the backup role, while newcomers RIley Nicholson and Ford Howell were both here for spring practice and have quickly moved into the rotation.