Texas Southern redshirt junior Isaiah Bogerty might not be the most vocal guy all the time, but he is really expressive when it comes to how good the Tigers’ linebacker corps can be this season.
The Stafford product, however, is realistic when it comes to what it takes not only to get there but also to remain there.
“I say the best in the nation, the best in the FCS. We can be the best, but it takes us being consistent daily,” Bogerty said in a recent conversation with the Defender. “It’s hard to reach success, but to stay there is even harder. So we just have to stay consistent every day. Stay in the film room and practice, not just to come out here and play around. We are practicing for a reason. So we’ve just got to get better.”
The Tigers’ linebacker trio of senior Charles George Jr., junior Matthew Cooks and Bogerty has been dominant this season, and it’s showing in the numbers and production they are putting up as the season hits the halfway point. All three rank in the top six in the SWAC in tackles, with Bogerty and George ranking No.1 and No.3, respectively, while Cooks ranks sixth in the league.
“It feels good. As a defense, I feel like we are getting back to the mode where we are really clicking. Our communication has been off the roof since I’ve been here. So it’s going real good, real good.”
Isaiah Bogert
Bogerty, George and Cooks, who are roommates, agree that their production is a testament to the hard work they’ve put in and their growing connection and understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
“It took time to learn what everybody can do,” said George, whose unit heads into this weekend’s Homecoming game against Virginia Lynchburg on a three-game winning streak. “Now we are starting to trust one another, know where we are going to be and where we are not going to be. So it’s just knowing how to play off each other better.”
It took some time for the trio to get on the same page, especially after their leader among the core, Jacob Williams, went down with a season-ending injury in the season opener, leaving a gap in the middle of the defense. Cooks, a junior college transfer from Tyler JC, stepped in and has filled in seamlessly.
“Me coming in as the newer guy, these guys have really helped me – kind of put me under their wing and got me accustomed to it real quick,” said Cooks, who has 44 tackles on the season. “I feel like our linebacker group, everybody is a brotherhood, everybody knows their role, and we all do our part.”
“Whenever my number is called, I need to be prepared. Always being in my playbook, always knowing what I’m doing and always asking questions and be ready for whenever Coach calls my number.”
Matthew Cooks
Cooks plays primarily at the middle linebacker spot, while Bogerty and George play more in space with coverage responsibilities, but they are also interchangeable based on scheme. All three are long and athletic, with Bogerty registering at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Cooks is 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds and George is an imposing 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds.
Grambling State coach Mickey Joseph couldn’t help but notice them on film as the Tigers prepared to match up against the trio.
“They are big and they can run and they get there in a hurry,” said Joseph, whose team fell to TSU 21-20 last week. “Even when they blitz and they are coming and they get there and they’re long. That’s what I like about them. I love length because length can sometimes hurt you when you are a shorter player.
“So they play with length, and they play it well and they’re well coached.”
Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Alonzo Hampton, whose team was held scoreless until the fourth quarter in a 51-7 defeat, shared Joseph’s sentiment while taking it a bit further.
“It took time to learn what everybody can do. Now we are starting to trust one another, know where we are going to be and where we are not going to be. So it’s just knowing how to play off of each other better.”
Charles George Jr.
“Texas Southern, they’ve got guys who look like NFL guys,” said Hampton, who suffered a 51-7 defeat at the hands of TSU earlier this month. “Coach (Cris) Dishman and his staff, if you go look at their defense, they look like they are supposed to look at the Power 4 level. The D-line is big and fast and they can run. The linebackers are long and athletic. Then they have some corners, man, they understand where to be. They don’t make a lot of mistakes. So they make you beat them.”
While a lot of their dominance is attributed to their physicality and athletic ability, TSU linebackers coach Derrick Williams says it’s their ability to think through the game and process that is the biggest difference.
“They come to work every day, they are super intentional, and they are very focused, driven and they just want to get better,” Williams said after a recent practice. “They are very smart. They know a lot. They want to come out here and play so that they can do it on Saturday.”
Their play as a linebacker unit has been instrumental in the Tigers having one of the top defenses in the SWAC this season. They rank in the Top 5 in overall defense, allowing 388.8 yards per game. Bogerty, a three-year starter, is averaging 8.8 tackles per game, George is averaging 8.0 stops each game and Cooks is averaging 7.3 tackles.
Dishman is hesitant to point out any one group, but he has seemed impressed by the trio.
“Our linebacker corps is the strength of our defense. We know that,” said Dishman, whose team sits in second place in the SWAC West with a 3-3 overall and 3-1 conference record. “But they wouldn’t be the strength of defense without our defensive front. Our defensive front is playing pretty good football. We’ve still got a lot of football left. So at the end of the year, we will see where we are at.”
