SEMO football preview: Roper Garrett back to lead Redhawks linebackers

Editor's note: Lloyd Laufili Time's year in school has been corrected.

This story is part of the Southeast Missouri State football preview series. Click here to read about how the team's staff analyzed the injuries that plagued the Redhawks last year to strengthen and protect players.

There were two goals that Southeast Missouri State defensive coordinator Bryce Saia had for the Redhawks' linebackers in the offseason: get the returners healthy and get more of them.

Both of those tasks were accomplished, which has Saia confident about the group heading into the season.

The depth at the position, and the fact that many of them now have experience in the 3-4 scheme after Saia and head coach Tom Matukewicz's first year, has the defensive coordinator optimistic.

"Our football knowledge and our strength and speed has improved over the year, so I'm really excited about it," Saia said.

The linebackers are led by junior Roper Garrett, who was a preseason all-Ohio Valley Conference selection.

Garrett, who Saia praised for his instinct on the field, led the team with 96 tackles, three sacks and five forced fumbles last season even though he missed the final three games with a broken leg that required surgery.

Terrance Hill, who had 46 tackles last year, returns for his junior season also. Saia said that Hill's strength is consistency. He missed the final two games of the season with a concussion.

Chad Meredith suffered a torn labrum during Southeast's fourth game of the season, which required surgery. The 6-foot-5 outside linebacker, who had 16 tackles and a sack, received a medical redshirt and is back at full strength for his sophomore season.

Lawrence Hills, who played in three games last year, is the lone senior of the group and Saia said he's the most physical.

Sophomores Brad Ivey, Rider Garrett and Kendall Donnerson, and junior Lloyd Laufili Time also return.

"They're very mature players," Saia said. "They know how to take care of their body and they know what it's supposed to be on a 12-month program, which is what Division I football is now. It's the second year in the system. The second year is always easier."

The health of the defense, including the linebackers, was an issue as the year went on last year. An area that was already lacking depth to begin with became seriously depleted.

"It's kind of that whole psyche that it affects," Saia said. "It's like that elephant in the room that everyone can see and nobody wants to talk about. I'm never and the players are never going to make excuses. That's why everyone kind of walked around thinking, 'Oh my God, if he gets hurt what are we going to do?'

But no one ever talked about it. But I think you can't help but let it affect you. And that's why as college coaches you have to recruit to where someone's going to get hurt. I hope that's not the case, but someone's going to go down. That's how it's been all my life since I've been coaching and you've just got to recruit."

Highland Community College transfer Byron Wilson and freshman Stephon Williams are two of the newcomers that Saia believes can provide some depth this season.

Taylor Jones-Morgan, Arsante Connors and Bud Hilburn are the remaining freshmen linebackers.

Saia has been able to focus more on the details and technique in his second year leading the group.

The team made the switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4 defense last year, which created the need for additional linebackers.

"They're the heart and soul of it and they've got to play like that," Saia said. "They're expected to play like that and we demand a lot out of them."