2021 SLU Football Preseason Position Report No. 2: Linebackers
 
Position: Linebackers
Position Coach: Raymond Monica (Third season at SLU)
Returners: Herman Christophe (5-11, 235, So.)*, Josh Cook (5-11, 205, So.)**, Donte' Daniels (5-11, 210, Fr.), Dominic Lamm (6-1, 215, So.), Mike Mason (5-11, 220, Sr.), Alexis Ramos (6-2, 230, Sr.)*
Newcomers: Kevin Bickham (6-1, 190, Fr.)**, David Ellis (6-1, 200, Fr.), Max Jubenville (5-10, 205, Fr.), Tommy Lee (5-11, 215, Fr.)**, Chinedu Ogbonna (6-2, 240, Sr.)
* - All-Southland Conference
** - Did not see action in 2020 season
 
HAMMOND, La. –  The depth and talent at the linebacker position is one of the primary factors that has the Southeastern Louisiana football team optimistic about its defensive performance improving in 2021.
 
Southeastern returns a pair of All-Southland Conference performers in Alexis Ramos, the league's leading tackler in the spring, and Herman Christophe, who stepped into a starting role last season.
 
The linebacker corps will be buoyed by the return to health of Mike Mason, who has been bit by the injury bug in each of the past two seasons. SLU also adds transfer Chinedu Ogbonna, who started 21 games in his three seasons at UMass before coming to Hammond for his final season.
 
"We've seen probably more growth at our linebacker position from spring to now than any other area on the team," Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. "To get Mike Mason back healthy is huge for us and Alexis is back at 100 percent after playing through some injuries last season. Chinedu's going to have an immediate impact for us and we're really pleased with how much better Herman's moving in camp. Those four give us two groups we feel very comfortable with in our rotation."
 
Ramos, who has earned All-Southland notice in each of his two years with the Lions, believes the increased depth has helped elevate all of the linebackers' performances.
 
"There's no drop off between our ones and twos," Ramos commented. "Going out there and competing with players like Mike, Herm and Chin forces you to bring your 'A' game every day. Different linebackers make big plays in practice every day, so we're all feeding off each other's energy."
 
Monica is in his first season as the SLU defensive coordinator and will be coaching the Lion linebackers for the first time as well, after spending the previous two seasons overseeing the Southeastern defensive line. He's been pleased with the work of his new charges thus far this fall.
 
"Alexis and Herm have played a lot of football for us, so they're experience is a big plus," Monica said. "Mike showed flashes in 2019 before he got hurt and has played extremely well this fall. Chinedu is long and athletic and is only going to continue to get better as he gets more comfortable in our system. We've made some big improvements in pass coverage and our work in the run game is getting better. The key for us is stay healthy."
 
Ramos didn't hesitate to point out the area his group needs to continue to work on as the season opener draws near.
 
"We have to do a better job stopping the run if we're going to be successful," Ramos said. "It's something we've been focused on after we struggled with it in the spring and we just have to continue working on it."
 
Southeastern will return to the practice field on Thursday at 3:50 p.m. The No. 15/17 Lions open the 2021 season at home, hosting North Alabama at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.
 
2021 Southeastern Football Preseason Practice Schedule
Aug. 19 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 20 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 21 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 23 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 24 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 25 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 26 – 3:50 p.m.
Aug. 27 – 9 a.m.
Aug. 28 – 9 a.m.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2021-22 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.