With a new defensive coordinator bringing in his 4-2-5 system, the two starters in the middle look to step up in the fall and be leaders for a group that struggled last year with injuries, major tackling issues and a lack of big plays.

Position coach Ellis Johnson's defense uses just two linebackers instead of the most commonly used three linebacker scheme. Johnson's scheme calls for his linebackers to shed blocks at the line of scrimmage, play inside the formation, and plug gaps in the running game. The new scheme, introduced in the spring, placed an emphasis on correcting the tackling problems the unit experienced last season. With more time to learn the system during preseason practice, the linebackers should be more productive and better prepared to tackle opponents in the open field. Kris Frost (Photo courtesy of AUTigers.com) Johnson believes putting Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy on the field together are his two best options at linebacker because they both fit the more prototypical middle linebacker body type. Frost will handle the Mike position with McKinzy at the Will position. At Mike, Frost is the vocal leader and quarterback of the defense and will be responsible for relaying calls from the sideline and making adjustments for the rest of the defense. The competition at Mike will likely heat up in camp as Jake Holland will make a push to win the starting job. Holland missed out on important spring practices because of a mandatory class. Frost's size and speed gives him the advantage but Holland has more experience with 16 career starts. McKinzy played in eight games last season as a true freshman and recorded 23 total tackles. He started on the road at Vanderbilt where he made 12 tackles, forced a fumble and had a fumble recovery. A physical player, McKinzy will have to eliminate mental mistakes if he wants to keep the starting job. McKinzy's backup, JaViere Mitchell, missed several spring practices after suffering a concussion in the first scrimmage. Mitchell did recover to finish spring and is poised to make a push for the starter's job. Kenny Flowers was highly productive last year at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College and should challenge for playing time in the fall. Flowers had 95 tackles and adds more depth to a position that needs it after Harris Gaston and Chris Landrum transferred to Jacksonville State. Phil Marion Next week: Secondary Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers Running Backs Offensive Line Defensive Line