With all three starting linebackers from last year's team graduated, new guys had to step up this season to man the middle of the Blue Raider defense.
One of the guys who has done so in a big way is junior DJ Sanders.
Sanders brings the most experience to the relatively inexperienced linebacking corps this season. He had never started a game for the Blue Raiders before this year, but his 25 games played going into the season were the most in the linebacker group.
Since he had the most experience, he was the obvious choice to become one of their leaders.