It’s much the same in the inside linebacking linebacking corps as with most of Furman’s position groups.

Good players gone. Good players ready to replace them.

It’s not a leap of faith to head coach Clay Hendrix. It’s the process of college-football life.

“We have some depth at linebacker. That’s one reason we didn’t sign anybody there this year. We feel good about the guys we have,” he said.

The Paladins lost three veteran performers off last year’s unit, including All-Southern Conference  selection Braden Gilby, Dan Scianna and Nicky Kuzemka. They combined to make 568 tackles during their careers

The linebacking corps is now led by Evan DiMaggio (6-3, 234, R-Sr.), one of the top contributors to Furman’s success over the second half of the 10-3, SoCon championship season.

“Evan is as good a player as anybody in our league,” said Hendrix. “We’re glad to have him back as a fifth-year guy. He runs well and is both smart and tough; all those things you look for at that position.”

DiMaggio saw action in all 13 games and moved into the starting lineup in week seven against Western Carolina. He racked up a career high 15 stops, including three for-loss and a sack, in Furman’s 35-28, overtime playoff loss at Montana, finishing the season with 79 tackles, including 11-1/2 for-loss.

A veteran of 43 games, DiMaggio was named preseason All-SoCon in balloting by head coaches.

Amaah Achina (6-1, 212, R-Jr.), who was impressive enough in preseason camp the last two years to be named a starter before sustaining season-ending injuries in the very early going, is an intriguing story. In 2022 he actually started the first two contests before being sidelined early in the Clemson game. Last fall he sustained a broken foot in the first quarter of the Paladins’ season opener against Tennessee Tech.

“Amaah is a guy who has obviously had some tough luck with injuries.  He played outside (spur position) the last couple of years before we moved him inside.  He would have played significantly for us had he been healthy,” said Hendrix.

Next in line and expected to complete the Paladins’ contingent of four linebackers are Raleigh Herbert (6-2, 223, R-Fr.) and Ryan Earl (6-2, 228, R-Fr.).

“Raleigh and Ryan are the Gilby/DiMaggio types,” Hendrix said.”Both of them could have played for us last year. We got them a little experience and were able to redshirt them. They have good size and length and like to play.”

Another is Brandt Babin (6-1, 218, R-Jr.).

“Brandt is in his fourth year in our program.  He’s been an outside guy who has also transitioned to the inside.  He has a lot of ability and runs well and will compete to be a two-deep guy and also a contributor on special teams.”

Projected for position depth and special-teams service are Luke McLaughlin (6-2, 210, R-Jr.), Luke Smith (6-2, 214, R-Fr.), Owen Plane (6-1, 210, R-So.) and Case Barrett (6-2, 218, R-So.).

The status of Tate Wirth (6-2, 220, R-Fr.), who sustained injuries in an early-summer boating accident, is uncertain.

Among newcomers are walk-ons Will McQueen (5-9, 190, Fr.) and Charlie Tack (6-0, 225, Fr.).

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