Wanting to ‘start fast’ in 2024, the linebackers helped the Texans do just that.
Tarleton State went on to win seven of its first eight games, earning a bid to its first-ever FCS Playoff berth.
Even though the 2024 season was considered a success, the linebackers believe they didn’t do enough in the latter half of the year.
With experience and talent both at the inside and outside linebacker positions, the Texans expect to sustain the lightning strikes on defense from fall camp to December.
“Experience doesn’t just help with the first game because I think it’s most important at the back end of the season,” outside linebackers coach Jake Stone said. “Last year, we left a little bit of food on the plate when it came to those games down the line. The mentality of fall camp has been putting ourselves in a position where we’re not only able to start fast, but finish faster.”
The linebackers played an instrumental role in helping the defense tie for third in the country in takeaways with 29, including the fifth-most interceptions (18) and eighth-most fumble recoveries (11). While the linebackers helped the Texans to a historic 2024 playoff run, the group felt responsible for the season coming to an end in the second round.
No. 4 seed South Dakota scored 21 fourth quarter points against the Texans in the FCS Playoffs, ending Tarleton State’s magical season. The linebackers believed if they had more gas in the tank on that Dec. 7 day, Tarleton State would have advanced to the next round.
That day has still been running in the back of the groups’ mind throughout fall camp and will cycle through their brains until the final game.
“Last year made us realize how high our ceiling was,” senior linebacker Omar Emmons said. “If we keep grinding every day and keep going, we’re gonna win that natty (national championship).”
Tarleton State looked to replace some key experience in the group when All-UAC linebacker Ty Rawls entered the transfer portal after the 2024 season. After testing the waters, Rawls withdrew his name from the portal to return home to Stephenville.
In the era of the transfer portal, it is natural for a player to receive a cold shoulder when deciding to leave the team. Rawls’ teammates, however, were pumped to welcome him back to the group.
“We were all like ‘heck yeah’ when he decided to come back,” senior linebacker Caden Holt said. “He’s a player. We understand how the portal is and all that. Nobody judged him for going in. We welcomed him back. We were like ‘we got Ty back. Let’s go.'”
Along with Rawls, Tarleton State returns five of its top 10 tacklers from last season. Bam Smith (73) and AJ Owens (65) finished in the top five for the Texans last season in total tackles. Holt (59), Devin Sterling (43) and Rawls (41) all finished in the top 10 on the Texans in tackles as well.
The Texans will also return veteran experience in the linebackers room with guys like senior Kyle Jackson and junior Steve Albert Jr. to mesh with the newcomer class. Emmons will also add senior leadership to the group, who switched from defensive back to linebacker for 2025.
The linebackers will be a senior-led group in 2025, but the leadership will help the Texans waiting in the wings.
“It’s a lot of leadership,” Stone said. “We have a bunch of older guys who know how to practice and have been around. When you have those guys at the front of the line, that’s going to help the younger guys. Practices have been really clean. I’ve been very pleased with the senior leadership.”
Treating every drill, every scrimmage and every opportunity as a must-win situation, the performance at the end of last season is fuel to the linebackers’ fire. They believe that will only benefit them come December.
“Every day is like gameday to us,” Holt said. “Every day we’re competing and you have to bring your A-game. If not, you’re gonna get passed up. Every day we’re trying to bring it and the tough days are going to make you last throughout the season.”
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