REPORT: Leon Jacobs moving back to inside linebacker

[Da-news-now]

Perhaps this news shouldn’t be surprising given the depth issues at inside linebacker, but our recruiting partners at Badger247 are reporting that former outside and inside linebacker turned fullback will be moving back to inside linebacker for the coming weeks.

With starter Chris Orr out for the season, along with the slow return of former starter T.J. Edwards depth at inside linebacker has become a major concern. On Saturday, that lack of depth led to redshirt sophomore Ryan Connelly having to basically play every snap during the game.

It also doesn’t help that redshirt freshman Nick Thomas is still in a walking boot and clearly a ways away from getting back on the field himself.

So, it will be the fourth move of the juniors career in Madison. Will it be a permanent one? That remains to be seen, but even with his move to fullback this offseason he struggled to beat out junior Austin Ramesh and sophomore Alec Ingold on the depth chart.

Jacobs was the opening day starter last season if you will remember, before suffering a toe injury that ended his season. That opened the door for Orr to come in and play well enough to force the coaching staff to look at Jacobs elsewhere.

Orr finished the 2015 season with six starts and 46 tackles to his name. He made it just one play in to the 2016 season though, tearing his ACL while trying to make a tackle on LSU running back Leonard Fournette on the first play of the game on Saturday.

The experience of Jacobs could give the Badgers a starter on Saturday against Akron, but it could also mean just simply depth based on how well Connelly played in Orr’s position. He did record a career high seven tackles in the 16-14 win over the Tigers.

With the hope of keeping the redshirt on Griffin Grady and Thomas’ status, Jacobs move is an important one for the 2016 season moving forward. It also shows the versatility of this roster and the team-first mentality.

Let’s see if Jacobs can knock off the rust quickly, because he is going to be counted on quickly at inside linebacker.

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[TW]

Injuries can sure shake things up. I'm amazed at how adept some of the Badgers are at swapping positions and making an impact. That's all part of offering scholarships to "athletes" over position players at times.