Why no one at Missouri State football knows its new middle linebacker's first name
Returning two of its starting linebackers from last season, Missouri State will have to replace a linebacker whose name was difficult to pronounce with one whose first name is lost by nearly everyone in the program.
With starters Von Young and Tahj Chambers back, the Bears will need to fill the void left behind by Ferrin Manuleleua, who had been the Bears' middle linebacker for the last few seasons.
Enter Jared Lloyd, aka "Bird."
"He just goes by bird," defensive coordinator L.D. Scott said during his media day availability. "I actually had to ask what his first name was before I came in here. I know his last name is Lloyd because I've seen it on the back of his jersey but I kind of forgot his first name because he just goes by 'Bird.'"
Bird is a 6-foot-3, 231-pound sophomore who played in seven games last season as a true freshman. He recorded seven tackles with five being solo to go along with a quarterback hurry. He was a standout at Mainland High in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he had 90 tackles with 44 being for a loss as a senior with 10 sacks.
When asked about "Jared Lloyd," Missouri State's four players that were made available on media day wore blank faces while not knowing who they were being asked about. When "Bird" was brought up, running back Jacardia Wright admitted he didn't know what the linebacker's name was until he heard the nickname.
"He is a young guy and he's been really good for us," Young, a veteran linebacker, said. "He picks up the playbook really well and he's intense. He's big, he's strong and he likes to play. He can hit, too. I think he's going to do really well for us."
No one knew why Bird was Lloyd's nickname.
"I've never asked him," Scott said. "With kids today, you just kind of want to make them feel comfortable, especially coming from Florida. He's done exactly what we need him to do. Ferrin was a really, really good football player for us and a great leader and he helped us win a lot of games. I think Bird is more talented and he's just not done it enough yet. He's going to have to lean on Von and Tahj early on and then hopefully some of those guys up front will help him not have to make every single call as he grows and learns. We trust him."
Young was a breakout in the Bears' linebackers group last season as he started all 11 games and ranked second on the team in tackles. He figures to be a team leader heading into 2023 as a veteran player who has been with the program since Dave Steckel's final year in 2019.
Chambers also returns after starting in eight games last season. He can be used in different ways on the defense as someone who came away with two sacks and two interceptions last season. He tied for second on the team in quarterback pressures.
Other linebackers on the roster
Steven Ward is a Nixa grad going into his redshirt-sophomore season. Ward missed some time during the spring with an injury but is back and should compete for time at linebacker while being a key player on special teams.
Michael Teason was one of MSU's big freshmen gets of its 2023 recruiting class after he stood out on back-to-back state championship teams at Christian Brothers.
Dallas Winner-Johnson ended up a linebacker after also being a standout tight end at state-champion Cardinal Ritter. He's a lengthy linebacker at 6-foot-5, 221 pounds.
Cooper Roy transfers back home from Air Force after one year. The former star Glendale pass-rusher might see some time rushing the passer as an outside linebacker this season.
Kilifi Leaaetoa returns for his second season with the Bears after playing in five games last season. He had six tackles against Western Illinois with two being solos.
Elijah Tomlin is a senior transfer from Oklahoma Baptist where he started in all 11 games last season and finished with a team-high 89 tackles.
Kanye Young is a transfer from Reedley College (California) where he played one season and had 58 total tackles.
Ethan Merrell is a sophomore transfer from Ottawa University (Kansas) where he played in five games both as a ball-carrier and linebacker. He had three total tackles.
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist with the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, by email at wwheeler@news-leader.com or X at @WyattWheeler_NL. He's also the host of the weekly "Wyatt's World Podcast" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcasting platforms.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri State football: Linebackers preview heading into 2023
