Sulphur High Tors will be looking at the linebacker position this year to lead the defense as two of their returning defensive starters play at that position.

Seniors Tahj Jones and Keith Lemelle return this year in hopes of leading the Tors to another District 2-5A championship.

“The linebacker position is fairly solid if we can stay healthy because we have three starters and a backup guy and we can move them around,” Sulphur High defensive coordinator Harold Fuselier said. “Our number ones naturally have a grasp of what is going on.

“Our number twos and threes need to get more reps. We have some kids that are working real hard and are starting to get the picture. They just need reps in order to get comfortable with the positions and the different schemes.”

Jones is the most heralded of the groups, as he has been getting a lot of attention from several Division I programs including LSU.

As the WILL (weak side) linebacker last season, Jones picked up a 53 solo tackles and 28 assisted during his junior year that included 13 for a loss and eight sacks. He missed all of the spring workouts and scrimmage because of an injury but has not shown any lingering affects during fall practices.

“He missed all of the spring because of an injury but out there it does not look like he missed a whole lot,” Fuselier said. “He seems to have picked up were he left off after the season. He is still not a 100 percent but he understands what we are trying to do and he can run. He is an aggressive player. For a tall skinny guy he has the ability to run through people. It is just mind over matter. He plays the game the way it is supposed to be played.”

Lemelle returns as the SAM (strong side) linebacker with 32 solo tackles last year. He also had two sacks, an interception, and two fumble recoveries.

Fuselier said that they could always count on Lemelle to get the job done.

“Keith is real steady, consistent and is not going to make a lot of mistakes,” Fuselier said.

Senior Tyler Burleson and junior Ryan Perez will give the Tors two possibilities at the MIKE (middle linebacker) position. Burleson saw some action last season in a backup role.

“We really have two guys trying to play MIKE linebacker position, Ryan Perez and Tyler Burleson,” Fuselier said. “They are both doing a pretty good job and bring something to the table. Tyler is probably a better pass cover guy and Ryan a better run tackler inside.”

Fuselier said that they expect a lot out of the linebackers but that comes from the fact Sulphur has a tradition of producing talented linebackers.

“We have had some great linebackers here for a long time,” Fuselier said. “We ask all of our kids to do a lot.

“We do not just run one thing. We run a lot of schemes and we think that it helps us out. Our kids do a good job and play hard. They pick up the schemes and they adjust well on the run. I think that the effort is there. When the effort is there the rest is going to come.”