2022 Preview: Linebackers

RETURNERS: Trevor Williams, Trey Fields, Ysidro Mascorro, Jaylen Phillips, Kavian Gaither, Darien Flynn, Trey Mappe
NEWCOMERS: Sincere Jackson, Gannon Tullos, Phillip Joest

HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston Bearkats went into fall camp with a battle for its signal caller on the offensive side of the ball, but it was never a question who was calling the signals on the field in 2022 on defense.

Linebacker Trevor Williams stepped on campus in 2018 and immediately went to work, pushing his way into the defensive rotation in 2019 and eventually taking over as the Kats' lead backer for each of the past two seasons.

Now with 45 college games under his belt, the 3-time team captain has racked up 166 tackles over the past two seasons and has even gotten into the end zone twice. This year he won't have the luxury of sneaking up on anyone, despite his 5-9 frame, after consecutive all-conference seasons and a preseason all-America nod.

"Trevor is a special person and means a great deal to this program," linebackers coach Jared Hensley said about Williams. "His influence is felt by his teammates and coaches, and his impact on the University is everywhere. He had to earn his way and he has a lot of credibility with his teammates because of that. Our guys have seen that and try to emulate that as much as possible."

Williams credits former Bearkat linebackers such as Hunter Brown and Royce See as helping build his leadership, and he will need to lean on those leadership skills this season, despite a key group of returners coming back in the linebacker room.

The Kats welcome back players such as Trey Fields, Ysidro Mascorro and Jaylen Phillips, while Kavian Gaither is making the shift downhill from the secondary to the linebacker corps in 2022.

"We have a lot of guys who we feel like we can play in that room who have played in a lot of big games," Hensley said. "Ysidro has bounced back from an offseason injury and is better than ever, while Trey Fields and Jaylen Phillips have both grown tremendously and will make a huge impact for us this year."

Fields and Mascorro each played big parts in the Kats' 22 games during the 2021 calendar year, but could very well be poised for breakout seasons in their own right. Meanwhile, Phillips brings position flexibility with the ability to play in pass-rush situations or off the line, which is a trait that should give him plenty of field time this year.

Hensley also notes that the Kats feel as though Gaither could make waves in his new role, one year after being a key piece of the secondary. He played in all 12 games in his first year on the squad, picking off one pass and making 19 tackles and also brings position flexibility with his ability to drop back in coverage.

The Kats also upped their athleticism at the position with the addition of transfer Sincere Jackson from the City College of San Francisco. At 6-2, 225 pounds, Jackson was one of the top junior college linebacker prospects in the country, helping CCSF to a perfect record and state championship a year ago.

"Sincere is going to be a great one for us," Hensley said. "He came in and bought in right away and has loved being a part of the culture here. He came here as a winner, runs really well and has a good football IQ. When he gets on the field his athleticism shows up because he covers a lot of ground."

Jackson headlines a group of talented newcomers that also includes true freshmen Gannon Tullos and Philip Joest, both of whom come from strong Texas prep programs, while players such as Darien Flynn and Trey Mappe also provide the Kats with strong depth at the position.

2022 Preview: Linebackers

Players Mentioned

Trey Fields

Darien Flynn

Kavian Gaither

Sincere Jackson

Philip Joest

Trey Mappe

Ysidro Mascorro

Jaylen Phillips

Gannon Tullos

Trevor Williams

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