Projecting the Top Linebacker Corps for the 2025 CFB Season
While defensive linemen work to disrupt the backfield and those in the secondary make flashy plays, linebackers try to provide a little of everything.
And a fast, physical unit in the middle can complete an elite defense.
Unsurprisingly, most of the highest-regarded teams entering the 2025 campaign are within the Big Ten and SEC. However, both the ACC and Big 12 have at least one program with linebackers in the conversation.
Although these choices are subjective, they're a reflection of returning production, incoming transfers and perceived depth in 2025.
Clemson Tigers
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Ho-hum, another spot for Clemson in this preseason series.
Even though the Tigers have to replace three-year starter Barrett Carter, they're still in a great spot at the position.
Wade Woodaz notched a team-leading 83 tackles (10.0 for loss) in 2024, adding nine hurries and three forced fumbles. Sammy Brown exploded in his freshman campaign with 80 stops (11.5 for loss), as well.
Dee Crayton had 19 tackles last season, Kobe McCloud is back from injury and Alabama transfer Jeremiah Alexander adds veteran depth.
Woodaz and Brown will shoulder a heavy burden of snaps and production as long as they're healthy, but Clemson has a great rotation available.
Pitt Panthers
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Sticking in the ACC, Pitt has quietly assembled a sturdy group at linebacker with Kyle Louis, Rasheem Biles and Braylon Lovelace.
Louis garnered second-team AP All-America honors after racking up 101 tackles (15.5 for loss) last season. Rasheem Biles collected 82 tackles (14.5 TFLs) and nine pass breakups, while Lovelace tallied 53 stops (10.5 TFLs).
Quite a lot of disruption, huh?
Depth is a fair concern; Nick Lapi, Cameron Lindsey and Jeremiah Marcelin combined for 10 tackles last season. But with a trio of players like that leading the way, Pitt fully deserves this projection.
Georgia Bulldogs
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There's no question I've written a version of this sentence before, but there are few coaches who have earned the benefit of the doubt like Kirby Smart.
Last season, Jalon Walker made 60 tackles and garnered second-team All-SEC recognition. Smael Mondon Jr. posted 57 stops, and they helped UGA both win a conference title and make the College Football Playoff.
Both of them are gone, and Georgia—well, it's not concerned.
CJ Allen registered 76 tackles in 2024 as Raylen Wilson had a mini-breakout year with 47 takedowns (7.0 for loss) and Chris Cole chipped in 16 stops. As if that's not enough, Justin Williams and newcomer Zayden Walker were 5-star signings. Georgia just needs one of them to contribute in a small role, barring injuries.
The linebacker pipeline in Athens is flowing right along.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Baylor Bears
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Entering the offseason, BYU looked like it might be atop the Big 12. Harrison Taggart's spring transfer has nudged that title to Baylor.
The featured player from the 2024 roster is Keaton Thomas, who piled up 114 tackles in his debut with the Bears. He'd transferred from a junior college and wasted no time earning a first-team All-Big 12 selection.
Baylor moved quickly in the December portal window to land Travion Barnes, the Defensive Player of the Year in Conference USA. Barnes had 129 tackles (10.5 for loss) at Florida International last season.
And that's not all, either.
Matthew Fobbs-White (Tulane), Phoenix Jackson (Fresno State) and Emar'rion Wilson (Oregon) each bring notable experience to solidify this group.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Gone is Jack Kiser, the veteran rock at middle linebacker who handled the communications on Notre Dame's defense recently.
He leaves a substantial void. Drayk Bowen, by all accounts, is ready to step up.
Bowen, who notched 78 tackles last year, is merely one piece of a very experienced unit. Jaiden Ausberry had 58 stops with 6.5 for loss in 2024, and Jaylen Sneed contributed 51 more (6.0 TFLs). Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa added 37 as the Fighting Irish battled to a national runner-up finish.
Notre Dame is excited about what expected new quarterback CJ Carr will bring in 2025, but this defense will again propel the Irish.
LSU Tigers
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As the program takes aim at chasing a national title, LSU—assuming health, as always—won't be concerned about its linebacking corps.
Whit Weeks ranked ninth nationally at 125 tackles last season, and two-time All-SEC linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. is healthy after missing much of 2024.
Behind them, the Tigers have Davhon Keys and West Weeks to pack the rotation. Keys tallied 31 stops as a true freshman, and Weeks—the older brother of Whit—has been a steady reserve when available over three seasons at LSU.
Given the expected difficulty of the team's 2025 schedule, LSU will be relieved to utilize such a deep group of linebackers.
Texas Longhorns
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If you don't know the name Anthony Hill Jr., well, please remember it.
During his first two years at Texas, he's gathered 180 tackles with 24.5 for loss (15 sacks) and five forced fumbles. Throw in his numerous QB disruptions—officially tracked or not—and Hill has been a certified menace.
Even if Trey Moore's move to weak-side linebacker doesn't work as anticipated, the Longhorns are plenty deep. Liona Lefau finished fifth on the team in tackles with 63 last season, and Arkansas transfer Brad Spence made 54 stops. Ty'Anthony Smith managed 16 in limited snaps for UT, as well.
Hill is the headliner as a returning second-team AP All-American, but Texas has both flexibility and upside in this retooled unit.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
