Senior linebacker Jackson Tatum is set to enter his fourth season as a starter and will serve as a key leader for Oglethorpe County’s defense this season.
Coach Mike Holland said Tatum has become a “rock” for the defense, helping his teammates line up and understanding their assignments after running the same defense for four years.
“We’re really leaning on him a lot,” Holland said.
Tatum, who also serves on the team’s leadership council, is expected to do big things on both sides of the ball. He also starts at fullback in the wing-T offense.
“Nobody works harder than Jackson Tatum,” Holland said. “Jackson Tatum takes the weight room seriously.”
Sophomore Zavion Swain will take on a larger role at linebacker. Swain didn’t play his freshman year, but returned to the team this season.
Holland said Swain’s athleticism has helped him progress quickly as he learns the defensive system.
“He has great natural instincts and he’s coming along,” he said.
The third linebacker spot is open, with sophomore Paul Pittard getting his first varsity experience at the scrimmage against Hart County on Aug. 7. Holland said the team is still considering its options at that position.
Holland said the linebackers’ success will depend partly on how well the defensive line performs and visual discipline progress.
“For this group of linebackers, if we can get our eyes where we need to be and understand what offenses are trying to do for us, we are athletic enough to really cause some problems,” Holland said.