This is the fifth story of a seven-part series breaking down position groups on the University of Toledo’s roster entering the 2024 season.
When Dallas Gant transferred to the University of Toledo, the reaction was curiosity mixed with excitement.
The Toledo native was a high-end recruit from St. John’s Jesuit who matriculated to Ohio State, where he had an unsatisfying four-year career due partly to questionable coaching decisions. Would he maximize his potential at Toledo?
The answer was a resounding yes, as Gant became a production superstar and the team’s north star. He’s now in the NFL, leaving a void in the linebacker room. But veterans Daniel Bolden and Jackson Barrow provide experience and confidence.
The unit has options and also questions about dependability.
“I think the totality of the room is as strong as it’s been since I’ve been here,” defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Vince Kehres said. “I feel like we have some really good depth and we can plug a lot of guys in there. They can play at a high level. I feel more confident that we’ll go into the season and be able to rotate and play several guys, and, hopefully, no one gets injured. If we were in a situation where we had an injury, I feel like we’re pretty well equipped to overcome that right now.”
2023 in review
For the second consecutive season, Gant led the team in tackles and was one of the most prolific tacklers in the country. Bolden wasn’t far behind, though, ranking 73rd with 94 stops. His three pass breakups were the most on the team for a non-defensive back. Barrow graded out among the top 25 defenders on the team, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I’d say it’s Dan and Jackson Barrow have been here a long time and played a lot of football for us,” Kehres said. “Both those guys were here when I got here, so they’ve been at Toledo longer than I have. They’re definitely veterans, and they’ve been through it with me, and they provide a lot of leadership to our room and to the defense.”
Position coach
Kehres is nothing but a winner. The son of legendary Mount Union coach Larry Kehres, Vince won as a player at Mount Union, as an assistant coach at Mount Union, and as head coach at Mount Union. In his four seasons at Toledo, he’s continued to win.
The defensive turnaround at UT under Kehres was immediate. The Rockets went from last in the Mid-American Conference in total defense to second in 2020, and the ascent has stayed steady. Toledo has also developed NFL talent, with four defensive players being selected in the draft.
Probable starters
Bolden and Barrow.
“We haven’t played a ton with three linebackers on the field at the same time the last couple years, and I feel like we’ll be able to do that this year,” Kehres said. “We practiced that way in the spring, and we’ll certainly be able to do that at times this year. It won’t be something we’re going to do all the time, but it’s something that we will be able to do.”
Who are the candidates for the linebacker rotation? Lance Dixon, K’Von Sherman, Chris D’Appolonia, and Damon Ollison. Dixon is a former five-star recruit who made his way to UT via Penn State and West Virginia. Sherman had great numbers at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. D’Appolonia and Ollison were productive on special teams last year.
Most intriguing newcomer
Dixon. The first-ever five-star to sign with Toledo was the nation’s No. 13 recruit in 2019. The Oak Park, Mich., native played 10 games over two seasons at Penn State, recording 12 tackles, including 2½ tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.
In three seasons at West Virginia, the 6-foot-2, 223-pound Dixon made 72 tackles — one for loss — and three pass breakups.
“Lance is extremely athletic, and he’s learning the defense now,” Kehres said. “I think he’s getting more comfortable with the defense. I’m going to look for him to have a lot of production this year.”
Sherman is another intriguing newcomer. He was a first-team all-conference selection at Hutchinson, which was ranked No. 1 in the country. He had 77 tackles in 11 games, including 7½ tackles for loss and 5½ sacks.
“Whenever it’s your first time through learning a new defense, you’re not going to look the same as a guy who’s been through it three or four times,” Kehres said. “That was the case for him in the spring, but I think it’s really important to him. I’ve seen some improvement from him just from spring to summer. I think he’s really conscientious of trying to learn the scheme and improve the things that he struggled on a little bit in the spring. He’s got a chance to contribute this year.”
Unanswered questions
Beyond Bolden and Barrow, there aren’t many players who have played big minutes in a Toledo uniform. If there are injuries — or just in the course of a game — can Kehres lean on them? The answer will have to come quickly because Toledo plays at Mississippi State and at Western Kentucky in Weeks 3 and 4.
What to expect this fall
With several new defensive linemen and an entirely new secondary, the linebacking corps takes on added significance, stature, and importance this fall. Experience and leadership will be called upon, with Bolden and Barrow attempting to keep Toledo’s defense at the top of the MAC.
“There’s a high expectation that that room’s got to carry their weight,” Kehres said. “They’ve got to contribute week in, week out. Some great players that have come out of the linebacker room here the last three years, they’ve laid that foundation for that expectation.”
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