For the last four years, a common sight for the Baylor football team was No. 41 chasing down ballcarriers and delivering big hits all over the field.

While four-time all-Big 12 linebacker Joe Pawelek has graduated, Baylor’s cupboard isn’t bare.

Even without one of the best linebackers in school history, Baylor’s linebacking corps will be one of the deepest and most talented areas of the team.

Baylor linebacker coach Larry Hoefer talks with linebacker Chris Francis after practice. The Baylor linebacker corps will be one of the Bears' strengths this fall.
Rod Aydelotte/Tribune-Herald

The crew features a strong mix of veterans like Antonio Johnson, Chris Francis, Earl Patin and Elliot Coffey combined with young players like Chris McAllister, Rodney Chadwick and LeQuince McCall.

Baylor coach Art Briles believes his stable of linebackers will carry on the tradition of solid linebacker play from Pawelek.

“Joe provided and lived leadership and dependability,” Briles said. “He had the utmost character, and you knew what you were going to get from him every time he showed up. But we feel like we’ve got a lot of football players like that. All these guys need is an opportunity and experience.”

Stepping in for Pawelek at middle linebacker will be senior Chris Francis and redshirt freshman Chris McAllister. After playing in a reserve role for three seasons, Francis feels prepared to make a bigger impact following a solid junior year in which he collected 45 tackles.

“I really like playing middle linebacker because you have to know so much about both sides of the ball,” Francis said. “I just can’t wait to get it going. I learned from playing with Joe (Pawelek) because he was such a student of the game. When you’re as prepared as he is, your reactions are better and you know where to go.”

After redshirting last season, McAllister might have the biggest upside with his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame and athleticism. As a senior middle linebacker at Converse Judson in 2008, McAllister collected 112 tackles with two sacks and three fumble recoveries.

“I feel like I’ve waited a long time since I redshirted last year,” McAllister said. “I’ve been able to work on a lot of little things to help me get better. I’ve also learned a lot from Chris (Francis), and I feel like we’ve made each other better. Playing middle linebacker is great because you have so much range to run from sideline to sideline.”

Johnson returns

Baylor’s top returning linebacker is Johnson, who collected 77 tackles last year, including a team-high six tackles for losses with two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Johnson also returned an interception for 54 yards, and has shown a knack for coming up with big plays.

“Antonio is as solid as anybody we’ve got on the defensive side of the ball,” Briles said. “He’s dependable and makes plays, and you know what you’re going to get from him.”

Antonio Johnson (front) will be a key part of the Baylor linebacker corp this season. He had 77 tackles last year, including a team-high six tackles for losses.
Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald

While Johnson will start at strongside linebacker, Patin and Coffey are battling for the weakside starting linebacker spot. Patin switched to defensive end last year and made some big plays, while Coffey made 35 tackles and recorded an interception and a sack at outside linebacker.

Even with starting senior Antonio Jones gone from last year’s team, Baylor’s athleticism shouldn’t suffer.

“We’ve got a lot of confidence, speed and flexibility,” Johnson said. “I think we’ve got a real good mix of guys, and we’ve got a lot of depth with the young talent who can come off the bench and play.”

Young linebackers McCall and Chadwick have made considerable strides in the spring, and should help build Baylor’s depth.

“LeQuince (McCall) could become a real dynamic linebacker for us, and Rodney (Chadwick) has had a real good spring,” Briles said. “The good thing is that our linebackers have stayed healthy in the spring. We’ve had some real good battles for starting positions that will carry over to the fall.”

jwerner@wacotrib.com

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