ORONO, Maine -- Despite the announcement by the Colonial Athletic Association and UMaine on the postponement of the fall football season, GoBlackBears.com will roll on with our position previews of the football roster by assessing the team through position groups. Next up: linebackers.

THEME:
The 'Black Hole' revolves around the linebackers who, for years, have helped bolster Maine's aggressive style of defensive play. This year is no different. Despite unprecedented challenges away from the field, defensive coordinator Mike Ryan, entering his seventh year on staff as Maine's longest active tenured coach, continues to preach focus and discipline in all things on and off the field. "As we reset our sights for a spring season, the major focus in the linebacker room is to continue our intentional pursuit of greatness," Ryan said. "This semester will require a high-level of discipline and a positive attitude. We have to look at it as an opportunity to grow as individuals and as a collective unit."
 
POSITION OUTLOOK:
Maine's linebacker corps continues to be a strength of the Maine defensive attack, despite losing its top tackler in Taji Lowe. The Black Bears benefit from the return of preseason All-American and All-CAA backer Deshawn Stevens. A year ago in Maine's opener, Stevens suffered an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him for the season. The injury came a season after Stevens guided Maine's defense with a team-high 120 tackles. Pair Stevens' return with Adrian Otero, Maine's top returning tackler after posting 83 stops a year ago, and depth at the position, and the Black Bears look poised to once ago feature one of the most dynamic and skilled linebacker units in the CAA.

KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL SEASON FOR THE LINEBACKERS:

• Master the playbook and communicate - As the quarterback of the defense, the linebackers have to set the tone and possess the ability to make changes quickly at the line before the snap. Being a step ahead, with the playbook memorized, allows the linebackers to adapt to sudden changes on the field and put the defense in the best possible position to succeed on each and every play. The linebackers not only have to be experts at their own position, but have the ability to communicate changes from the secondary to the defensive line. They have to recognize the play and have great vision prior to and after the snap.
• 'Relentless motor' - "As linebackers, we need to be the most physical players on the field at all times," Ryan explained. Versatility is crucial for the linebackers as they must be fast enough to cover and catch receivers, strong enough to tackle running backs, and skilled enough to rush the passer.

DEPTH BREAKDOWN: "This group has the ability to be one of the stronger in the conference and in the country this year," Ryan said.

• Deshawn Stevens (6'2", 255 lbs, Sr.) - Prior to his setback in 2019, Stevens posted one of the most impressive seasons for a linebacker in Maine history. Stevens did it all in 2018 as he guided Maine and the defense to an appearance in the NCAA FCS Semifinals. In his last full season, Stevens posted 120 tackles to go along with 17.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, two pass breakups and an interception. If you thought he was hungry last season, watch out this year. Stevens successfully worked through his Achilles setback and is poised for a return to greatness, and beyond, this season. "Deshawn brings a lot to the table as a linebacker and pass rusher," Ryan explained. "He is a great leader and his ability to play sideline to sideline is really second to none at this level of football." Stevens, voted a captain a year ago, continued to lead from the sidelines as he rehabbed from injury and will look to continue to grow as he enters his senior season.
• Adrian Otero (6'0", 235 lbs, Jr.) - After appearing in 13 games in 2018, Otero took a leap in terms of his football growth in 2019. Otero, who enters this season as Maine's top returning tackler from the 2019 squad, registered 83 stops a year ago including career-highs in tackles for loss (5.0) and sacks (3.0) to go along with a pair of fumble recoveries and six pass deflections. Following Stevens' injury, Otero grasped a leadership role in the middle of Maine's defense and excelled. Look for Otero to take another leap in production in his junior season of competition.
• Myles Taylor (6'0", 200 lbs, So.) - As a redshirt freshman, Taylor proved to be a valuable asset in linebacker depth for the Black Bears in 2019. Taylor, who earned his first start in Maine's win at Colgate, registered 31 tackles, 2.5 for loss, with a half sack, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. With valuable experience at a young age, entering this season as a redshirt sophomore with already 10 games and five starts under his belt, look for more greatness out of Taylor similar to his career-high eight tackle performance in 2019 against Towson.
• Ori Jean-Charles (6'2", 225 lbs, redshirt junior) - Jean-Charles might just be the most athletically versatile player on the Black Bears' roster. After appearing mostly as a tight end and on special teams throughout the first eight games of the season, Jean-Charles transitioned to linebacker. Following a touchdown reception at UAlbany, Jean-Charles became the first Division-I collegiate player since 2010 to score a touchdown on both offense and defense in the same game as, just seconds after his reception, he returned an interception 47-yards for a score. Jean-Charles then transitioned mostly to the defensive side of the ball, starting the final two games at linebacker, while notching a career best seven tackles in Maine's win against Rhode Island. With Jean-Charles able to put all of his focus towards the defensive game plan in the upcoming season, look for the redshirt junior to make huge strides for the 'Black Hole'.

"Replacing the production of first team All-CAA linebacker Taji Lowe will not be easy," Ryan exclaimed. "But between the competition at the top of the depth chart and the young talent in the room, we are excited to see who steps up." Players such a Rhakim Williams, Xavier Nurse, Kolin Demens, and Kevin Winston are all names that immediately come to mind. "They've all done a great job staying focused and continuing to grow their game throughout the offseason and will push for playing time on special teams and within our defensive sub-packages."

-UMaine-