TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo lost both starting linebackers from 2019 – Jordan Fisher, DeDarallo Blue – but that doesn't mean the Rockets will be inexperienced in the middle of the defense. Head Coach Jason Candle is counting on some veterans and a key transfer to help make big improvements in this vital area of the defense.

Juniors Daniel Bolden (39 tackles in 2019), Dyontae Johnson and AJ Crider are the leading candidates to play at linebacker, along with Jonathan Jones, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame.

"Dyontae Johnson and Daniel Bolden got a lot of experience last year, and both of them have had fine camps," said Candle. "Also, AJ Crider has been a big positive for us in camp."

Candle has been pleased with the progress of Jones, who played at Notre Dame from 2017-19

"The addition of Jonathan Jones should be a plus for our program," said Candle. "We're asking him to come and play a lot on defense and in the kicking game, and be very good at it. He's still new to our program and we're asking him to learn a lot in short amount of time, but he's handled it well."

Other candidates for playing time are redshirt freshman Jackson Barrow, and true freshmen Deshawn Walker and Sawiaha Ellis