SMITHFIELD, R.I. The linebackers will have a young and athletic core for the Bryant University football team.
Today's linebackers preview is the sixth of eight positional previews as the Bulldogs will kick off the 2026 season at Stonehill on August 29th.
Quick Outlook
The Bulldogs will look to replace
Lonnie Rice and
Brandon Perkins. Rice led the team in tackles and was named an All-CAA Honorable Mention. Perkins was second in tackles (85) last season and earned a CAA Defensive Player of the Week Honor after his 15-tackle performance at UMass. Juniors
Drake Lusk and
Ryan Geary are two of the top returners, with Lusk appearing in all 12 games for the Bulldogs last season.
Returners:Â
Michael Fileppo Sr. |
Ryan Geary Jr. |
Drake Lusk Jr. |
Brendan Flanagan Jr. |
Joshua Smith Jr. |
Tyler Scott So. |
Owen Howlett So. |
Anthony Ottinot So. |
Thomas Stanley So.
Newcomers: Brandon Soleau Jr. |
Darian Gant R-So. |
Tre Gary Fr. |
Jayce Jean-Philippe Fr.
Notes and Notables
- Lusk had a career-high 18 tackles and two TFLs. He recorded his first career sack at Stony Brook.
- Soleau had 103 tackles (58 solo) last season at Golden West.
- Gant posted 15 tackles and a sack at Independence CC last year.
- Gary tallied 228 tackles in his career at Monsignor Edwards Pace.
- Jean-Philippe recorded 173 tackles in his high school career.
- Geary and Flanagan both made their first career appearances last season.
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