STONY BROOK, N.Y. -- Any great defense has to be strong up the middle. Dating back to late in the 2015 season the Stony Brook defense has taken the field each Saturday with one of the nation's most formidable linebacker duos. Shayne Lawless (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) and Noah McGinty (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad) will captain the 2018 team and once again look to blanket all 11 regular season opponents with a swarming and relentless defense.
 
Lawless has been a two-time All-CAA Football performer and it is hard to deny his widespread level of production sets him apart from most linebackers around the country. His 93 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception in 2017 is a resume that sets him apart on a national level. His leadership, ability to communicate and football IQ has played a large role in Stony Brook consistently being an elite defensive group.
 
"Playing linebacker at Stony Brook has been a blessing," Lawless reflected. "The experiences I've had have been some of the best of my life. Our linebacker unit will be very versatile and hungry. Like the rest of our defense and team we have a great blend of experience and young guys working together towards success."
 
McGinty makes up the other half of the bash brother tandem. The California native is an extension of linebacker coach Matt Hachmann on the field and like Lawless impacts the game in a number of ways. His 95 tackles in 2017 trailed only current Cincinatti Bengal Tyrice Bevertte for the team lead. He added 11 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception. The do it all linebacker recorded 13 tackles in a single game twice in 2017 vs. both Maine and James Madison.
 
Together Lawless and McGinty represent an incredible amount of experience, production and leadership that are poised to once again lead the Seawolves' defense to great achievements in 2018.
 
Waiting in the wings is fellow senior Deyshaun Tucker (Ozone Park, N.Y./Christ the King) who played in all 13 games this past fall and recorded 21 total tackles. Also adding quality depth and playmaking ability is sophomore Elijah Duff (Wyandanch, N.Y./Amityville) and freshman Reidgee Dimanche (Hamilton, N.J./Hamilton West).