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The BUCK linebacker
By CLINT BREWSTER May 22, 2015
Looking at the “BUCK” position
In Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkins’s interchangeable 3-4, 4-3 defense, the BUCK position is the most important spot on the field. The BUCK position is a hybrid linebacker/defensive end somewhere between 6-foot-2, and 6-foot-5 and about 230 to 260-pounds. When the defense goes to a 3-man front the BUCK lines up off the ball in an outside linebacker spot, and when they show a 4-man front the BUCK lines up as a defensive end. To give you a point of reference, Lawrence Taylor was the first real player that fit that position perfectly and was used to rush off the edge or cover running backs and drop into coverage. He stood 6-foot-4, and about 240-pounds. You have to be a rare athlete at the BUCK position because you need the strong body type to be able to put your hand on the ground and line up as a traditional defensive end and beat offensive tackles on the outside and he agility to drop into coverage when the defense brings a zone blitz package. In zone-blitz packages, the defense usually brings five rushers and the BUCK will drop into coverage or play the running back man to man.
The BUCK has to be the smartest guy on defense because of all the responsibilities they have. You need to be a quick-reactor as far as identifying run/pass and there are so many different spots you can line up at, like inside or outside shade on the offensive tackle, in a traditional outside linebacker stance off the ball, or out over the slot. Agility and open-field tackling are very important. Coaches want the BUCK to have height and length, which helps rushing off the edge and playing in open field coverage. The BUCK also needs size to cover the H-back or fullback. The BUCK will typically line up on the strong side of the formation, which is the side the tight end lines up on. To simplfy things, the BUCK position is all about finding your “freak” physical specimen on defense that has the versatility to play the run and pass and putting them in spots where they can use those intangibles to make plays.
NFL players like Demarcus Ware, Terrell Suggs, Brian Orakpo, and Lawrence Timmons are good examples of linebackers who can play the BUCK position because of their versatility.
Some of the notable BUCK linebackers Durkin has coached:
Dante Fowler (6-3, 261- Florida) Rd. 1 pick No. 3
Ronald Powell (6-3, 237- Florida) Rd. 5, Pick No. 169
