What Does a Kane/Walters Defense Look Like? Linebacker Edition

Last Saturday I took a look at Purdue’s new 3 man defensive front, today I’m moving on to linebackers. Much like last week, the best way to look at Purdue’s 2023 linebackers is to check out the Illinois linebacker group from last season.

Illinois Linebacker Depth Chart 2022

* Starters in bold

Outside Linebacker (Fox - Field)

Seth Coleman - 6’5”, 240

Alec Bryant - 6’3”, 240

Outside Linebacker (Buck - Boundary)

Gabe Jacas - 6’3”, 265

Ezekial Holmes - 6’5”, 245

Weakside Linebacker

Isaac Darkangelo - 6’1”, 230

Calvin Hart - 6’1”, 230

Middle Linebacker

Tarique Barnes - 6’1, 230

4 Linebackers - 5 Man Front

Blue Box - Outside Linebacker

Yellow Box - Outside Linebacker

Purple Box - Weak Side Linebacker

Red Box - Middle Linebacker

Why Does the Middle Linebacker Look Like a Strong Side Linebacker and the Weakside Linebacker Look Like a Middle Linebacker?