Projecting the Top Linebacker Corps for the 2026 CFB Season
Splashy plays command the highlight reels, but a rock-solid unit of linebackers in the middle of a defense is a wonderful luxury for college football teams.
No, they probably won't generate much havoc or record many sacks. They likely won't snatch more than a few interceptions or pounce on a couple of fumbles. They are rarely the biggest playmakers on a defense.
But those two-yard runs? These guys make the tackles.
That dynamic QB seeing his scrambling lane cut off? These guys closed the gap.
The choices are subjective but consider past production (including transfers) and personal expectations for the 2026 season.
Offseason Projection Series
Auburn Tigers
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While the offense is undergoing a overhaul with first-year coach Alex Golesh, the defense is largely composed of returning talent.
Xavier Atkins, a first-team All-SEC selection, returns to headline the unit. He collected 84 tackles with 17.0 for loss (nine sacks) last season, all of which led Auburn's defense at any position.
Elijah Melendez made a nice impact as a true freshman, notching 29 stops and a pair of interceptions. He should start alongside Atkins.
Auburn also has promising depth with Demarcus Riddick and Bryce Deas, who gained valuable experience in 2025 while Riddick—a young standout in 2024—dealt with recovery from shoulder surgeries.
As the program aims to rejoin the ranks of SEC contenders, at least Auburn knows its defense has a sturdy group in the middle.
Clemson Tigers
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Sammy Brown is a relentless tackling machine.
As a freshman in 2024, he finished third on the defense with 80 stops. Brown racked up 106 takedowns last season, causing plenty of disruption in the backfield with 13.5 tackles for loss (5.0 sacks).
Brown himself, for well-deserved reason, is what props up Clemson collectively, but the next players up are promising, too.
Jeremiah Alexander had 36 tackles last season, and Kobe McCloud chipped in 26 more. Both were reliable contributors in their rotational roles.
Developing a fourth option would be helpful, but Clemson typically only plays two 'backers at a time—and Brown won't be heading to the sideline much.
Indiana Hoosiers
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Early on this offseason, I found myself not particularly high on Indiana's outlook. Spectacular coach (clearly), great philosophy, all that good stuff, but a notable step back following a national championship would be reasonable.
Put simply: The more comparisons you're forced to make, the harder it gets to defend the idea of a consequential slide.
While quarterback Josh Hoover and a high-upside receiving corps are flashier appeals, IU has a special duo at linebacker. Rolijah Hardy made 102 tackles last season, while Isaiah Jones recorded 78—and both had 15-plus for loss.
Aiden Fisher left a considerable void, but the Hoosiers' reliance on Hardy and Jones will ease the burden on Kaiden Turner and other reserves.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Considering how often Notre Dame demands a spot on these projections, the offseason championship hype is quite understandable!
Seriously, the Fighting Irish are stacked.
Drayk Bowen led ND with 67 tackles last season, while Jaiden Ausberry (53), Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (48) and Jaylen Sneed (35) are also back. If healthy, there will always be two high-quality linebackers on the field.
For good measure, Madden Faraimo—a highly rated prospect in the 2025 recruiting cycle—even added 16 stops as a true freshman.
This rotation is incredibly deep, tremendously talented and a major strength for a program eyeing a national title.
Oklahoma Sooners
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The asterisk here is whether any appeal would reverse the expectation of Owen Heinecke being able to play in 2026. Given how consistently the courts are not ruling in favor of the NCAA, though, that seems unlikely.
As a result, Oklahoma has a heck of a linebacker unit.
Kip Lewis registered a team-best 76 tackles last season, while Heinecke was a close second at 74 stops. Cole Sullivan, who transferred from Michigan, is coming off a campaign in which he posted 44 takedowns and three interceptions.
Reggie Powers III is listed as a defensive back but plays the Cheetah spot in OU's defense, essentially a hybrid position. He made 31 tackles last year.
Oklahoma should be an absolute nightmare on defense once again in 2026.
Tennessee Volunteers
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Staying in the SEC, the main story at Tennessee is the quarterback battle. Will the answer be George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon?
Meanwhile, the Volunteers have quietly assembled an outrageously deep linebacker unit. To suggest there may be a six-man rotation feels ridiculous, yet that's legitimately the case in Knoxville.
Edwin Spillman had a team-leading 81 tackles last season, closely followed by Jeremiah Telander (80) and Arion Carter (76). Only two players will start, and Carter—a second-team All-SEC selection in 2025—will be one, pending his offseason recovery from surgery for turf toe.
New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles also brought Amare Campbell from Penn State, where he amassed 103 stops with 9.5 TFLs.
As if that's not enough, Jaedon Harmon and Jadon Perlotte each provided 19 tackles as true freshmen. Good luck finding snaps to give, but they could play.
Tennessee has very impactful concerns at several positions. Linebacker is not one.
Texas Longhorns
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Gone are Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau, who both contributed 69 tackles last season and were multi-year starters at Texas. Even if not always fantastic in 2025, they are a couple of big departures.
Thanks to the transfer portal, however, the Longhorns are feeling just fine. They landed Rasheem Biles, a two-time All-ACC honoree at Pitt.
Biles brings All-American upside to a unit set to have Ty'Anthony Smith (60 tackles) in the middle and Brad Spence (21) on the outside.
Behind them, Florida State transfer Justin Cryer could be the backup for either Smith or Biles. Part of that answer may hinge on how quickly 5-star freshman Tyler Atkinson or 4-star newcomer Rocky Cummings merit rotational snaps.
Add in Akron transfer Markus Boswell, and UT's depth is superb.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
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Last season, Texas Tech ranked third nationally at 11.8 points allowed per game. Part of that success could be attributed to linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who made 128 tackles and even finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.
You don't fully replace him. You cannot.
But, hey, Austin Romaine is a pretty good start! The transfer from Kansas State is a two-time All-Big 12 selection, one who collected 96 stops in 2024 and posted 66 in just nine appearances as a junior.
Romaine will be next to Ben Roberts, the MVP of the 2025 Big 12 Championship Game. He racked up 90 tackles and four interceptions last year.
Whether you include John Curry as a linebacker or defensive back—he plays the hybrid Star position—he's an asset, too. Curry totaled 72 stops in 2025.
Houston transfer Corey Platt Jr., who made 40 tackles, gives the Red Raiders a fourth capable starter for their pursuit of another Big 12 crown.
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