Football Season Preview: Linebackers

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University football team will rely on an experienced and deep group of linebackers during the 2021 season.   

Today's linebackers preview is the sixth of eight positional previews as the Black and Gold get set to kickoff the 2021 season on Sept. 4 at Rhode Island.

Quick Outlook

Joe Andreessen returns this fall for the Black and Gold after a strong spring season. Andreessen missed the final two games of the 2021 spring but was still able to collect 25.0 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and 1.0 sack. He opened the year with 17.0 tackles, tying a Bryant single-game record.

Bryant also returns Derrius Perryman, Ryan Saddler, Brandan Coward, Ben Silver, Colin Elliott, Carmine Palmisano, Clayton McAlpine and Austin Edmonds. Perryman posted 16.0 tackles in his debut season for the Black and Gold, while Saddler will serve as one of Bryant's two captains. Coward, Silver, Palmisano, Elliott and Edmonds were all true freshmen in the spring and combined for 26.0 tackles.

Returners
Joe Andreessen, Sr. | Derrius Perryman, Sr. | Paul Castro, So. | Brandan Coward, So. | Darian Duarte, So. | Austin Edmonds, So. | Colin Elliott, So. | Dontae Lunan, So. | Clayton McAlpine, Jr. | Carmine Palmisano, Jr. | Ryan Saddler, Sr. | Ben Silver, So.

Newcomers
Garrett Carter, Fr. | 

Notes and Notables

• Andreessen played in just two games in the spring but averaged 12.5 tackles/game and was named a First Team All-NEC honoree. He tied Bryant's single-game program record with 17.0 tackles against Long Island.
• Having missed his first two years with injuries, Perryman made a strong debut in the spring. He posted 16.0 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and an interception.
• Saddler collected 17.0 tackles in the fall of 2019 but missed the spring season with an injury. 
• Brandan Coward saw considerable time due to injuries and made the most of it, posting 9.0 tackles and a TFL.

Up Next

The defensive backs season preview will be released on Monday, August 30.