Editor’s note: This is the fourth part of the Sport Desk’s tribute to McAndrew Stadium and its history. Each week, the sports staff will draft a position to make its All-McAndrew football team. This week: All-McAndrew linebacker.
Derek Robbins selects: Bart Scott (1998-2001)
This was a no-brainer. Bart Scott has made the leap from dominant collegiate player to all-pro linebacker in the NFL look as easy as second grade mathematics. He has also been a part of the greatest defensive units in SIU, and NFL, history.
Let’s keep the focus on his career at SIU first — and what a career it was. In four seasons, Scott made a name for himself as one of the more fearsome defenders in all of the Football Championship Subdivision. He left SIU near the top of every major defensive category. He appears on the top-10 list for career tackles, career sacks and tackles for losses. His 18 tackles for losses in 2001 are tied for the most in a season.
And then there is his NFL career to talk about. An undrafted free agent out of college, the Baltimore Ravens signed him before the 2002 season, and his presence was felt in just a few years. He played in every game his first few years, but when all-pro linebacker Ray Lewis injured his hamstring, Scott stepped in and recorded 119 tackles in Lewis’ place.
Scott signed with the New York Jets in the 2009 offseason for six-years and $48 million. Any time there is a player who not only reaches the professional ranks, but also excels in them, it is fairly obvious the player is something special. Scott is an easy choice and is definitely one of the best Salukis ever.
Ryan Voyles selects: Chauncey Mixon (2006-present)
Mixon has shown himself to be one of the more dominant outside linebackers in SIU history just over the past few years. Even though he missed four games this season, he has been a staple of the linebacker core, and his name has been rising through the record books. He currently has 260 tackles in his career, good for 18th all-time. But it is his disruption in the backfield along with fellow All-McAndrew candidate Brandin Jordan.
Mixon is eighth all-time with 14.5 sacks and is third all-time with 37.5 tackles for loss. He needs only 11.5 more tackles for losses to tie Bryan Archibald for first.
Call it a reactionary pick, but I want Mixon on the outside for my All-McAndrew squad.
