OUTGOING PLAYERS: Fletcher Session, Brock Stratton

2006 SEASON STATS: Combined, 137 tackles and seven tackles for a loss

MOST DIFFICULT QUALITY TO REPLACE: Stratton's knowledge of the defense and Session's coverage skills

THE STARTERS Paul Williams (weakside), Chad Hill (middle), Kellen Tillman (strongside)

THE COMPETITORS: Victor Hunter, Ryan Hale and Blake Collier (weakside), Brian Duncan and Victor Hunter (middle), Marlon Williams and Julius Howard (strongside)

THE OUTLOOK: Linebacker shapes up as probably the most fluid and interesting position going into spring ball. The departure of underrated Brock Stratton and talented but oft-injured Fletcher Session opens up a world of opportunity, and there is a host of hopefuls looking to fill the voids.

At the WILL position, Paul Williams is penciled in as the starter. In his first three years as a Red Raider, Williams has flashed signs of being a very good player, but until now has been unable to nail down a starter's role for any length of time. Now he'll get his shot.

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