Canes linebacker Glenn Cook, hurt all of last season, was granted a sixth and final year of eligibility.

Now the question is whether Cook - long on smarts and somewhat short on speed, power and game-changing plays - will start in the middle.

My guess is that Colin McCarthy is the one lock, and he will take one of the two OLB spots.

Freshman Sean Spence is simply too good to keep off the field, and will earn the other OLB job.

The middle goes likely to Cook with challenges from Darryl Sharpton amd Romeo Davis.

It is also possible that Sharpton can challenge Spence outside. Other challengers outside will include  Spencer Adkins and highly-touted freshman Arthur Brown.

Ultimately, I'd like to see the speedy, powerful young guns emerge as stars - McCarthy, Spence, Brown, Sharpton, Adkins and other freshmen who will arrive in August.

But even so, it's good to have Cook around for his smarts and leadership.