NCAAF · 1 year ago

Ranking the Top 30 College Football Linebackers for 2024

Sammy Jacobs

Host · Writer

30. Chandler Martin, Memphis
Memphis’ Chandler Martin is a preseason All-American (4th Team) selection and has earned accolades every season he has played. He enters his second season with the Tigers after leading them with 95 tackles in 2023.

Memphis 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5
1. Harold Perkins, LSU
The junior has been All-SEC both of his seasons with the Tigers. While he took a step backward in 2023, he is still the best LSU defender. Harold Perkins has position versatility, playing in the middle and off the edge. In 2023, Perkins finished fourth for the Tigers in tackles with 75. He made 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Those numbers should go up this season.

LSU 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5
2. Barrett Carter, Clemson
Barrett Carter is a former All-American and an All-ACC performer. He played in 12 games for the Tigers in 2023 and was their second-leading tackler with 62. He also made 9.5 tackles for loss, including five sacks. Carter is good in pass coverage, with five breakups and an interception.

Clemson 2024 Season Win Total: 8.5
3. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Oklahoma and defense have not been mentioned in the same sentence in a while, but Danny Stutsman is solid. He is an All-American, and his name will be littered all over preseason award watch lists. He finished 2023 with 104 tackles, including 16 for loss, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. The Sooners begin play in the SEC this year. Can Stutsman continue his performance against the nation’s best?

Oklahoma 2024 Season Win Total: 7.5
4. Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Jack Kiser has not hit his ceiling, but he could be the next great Notre Dame linebacker. He was not an every-play linebacker but made 62 tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Kaiser is also excellent in pass coverage, which sets him apart from other backers. His playing time will increase, and his numbers will go up.

Notre Dame 2024 Season Win Total: 10.5
5. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Jaishawn Barham came to Michigan via the transfer portal from Maryland, where he was one of the Big Ten’s best young linebackers. Barham had a monster true freshman year in 2022 when he earned freshman All-American honors. Injuries limited him to just 37 tackles in 2023, but moving to Michigan should be a big help for his NFL Draft stock and his trophy case.

Michigan 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5
6. Jay Higgins, Iowa
Jay Higgins is the next great Iowa linebacker and the face of the defense in 2024. Higgins appeared on many outlets’ All-America team after recording 171 total tackles (79 solo). Higgins should have another big season and easily surpass the 300 career tackle mark.

Iowa 2024 Season Win Total: 7.5
7. Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Despite missing three games in 2023, Deontae Lawson had a big year for Alabama and should be poised for an All-SEC caliber year in 2024. In 11 games last season, Lawson made 67 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Lawson should be able to make more plays in Kane Wommack’s aggressive 4-2-5 defense.

Alabama 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5
8. Cal Haladay, Michigan State
If it seems like Cal Haladay has been manning the Spartan defense for a long time, it’s because he has, and he does it at a very high level. Haladay has racked up 307 tackles and three defensive touchdowns in his four years with the Spartans. Whenever the Michigan State defense needs a big play, Haladay usually makes it.

Michigan State 2024 Win Total: 4.5
9. Marlowe Wax, Syracuse
An All-ACC linebacker for the Orange, Marlowe Wax will find himself on many of the defensive award watchlists when they are released later this summer. Marlowe made 110 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. With the coaching change at Syracuse, the offense should be able to keep the defense off the field a little more, so Wax may not hit the 100-tackle mark, but he is still an All-ACC caliber player.

Syracuse 2024 Win Total: 7.5
10. Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
Nickolas Martin was on various All-Big XII and even some All-American lists after a big season for the Cowboys in 2023. As one of the team captains last season, Martin made an astounding 140 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss and four sacks. He also picked off two passes and recovered a fumble. Can his production on defense help return Oklahoma State to the Big XII title game?

Oklahoma State 2024 Win Total: 7.5
11. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
Smael Mondon Jr. was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2023 after putting up big numbers. He made 68 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks in 13 games. He did not play in the Orange Bowl against Florida State. He is a preseason second-team All-SEC selection.

Georgia 2024 Win Total: 10.5
12. Austin Moore, Kansas State
Austin Moore is a stalwart in the middle for the Wildcats and an All-Big XII linebacker. In 2023, he made 63 total tackles, including a career-high 12.5 tackles for loss. Moore will be on several preseason All-Big XII teams and several defensive award watch lists.

Kansas State 2024 Win Total: 9.5
13. Power Echols, North Carolina
His name alone should be higher on the list for linebackers, but this is not an All-Name list. Power Echols was a third-team All-ACC selection in 2023. He made 102 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception. The Tar Heel defense has been leaky at best, but Echols is a game-changer.

North Carolina 2024 Season Win Total: 7.5
14. Nick Jackson, Iowa
Nick Jackson had a big year in the Iowa defense last season after transferring from Virginia. He tallied 110 tackles with eight tackles for loss and four sacks while forcing two fumbles. Jackson received a waiver for another year of college ball and should be an anchor on the Hawkeye defense again.

Iowa Big Ten Title Odds: +1000
15. Carson Bruener, Washington
After his stellar career in the Pac-12, Carson Bruener could be the next great Big Ten linebacker. The Huskies’ playmaker made 86 total tackles as he helped lead UW to the CFP final. The Big Ten is more physical than the Pac-12, but that shouldn’t slow Bruener down.

Washington 2024 Season Win Total: 7.5
16. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa had a terrific 2023 season. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors and was named the Defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl. He made 72 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Bassa also had an interception.

Oregon 2024 Season Win Total: 10.5
17. Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota
Cody Lindenberg was an All-Big Ten linebacker in 2022 and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten performer after. He missed most of the beginning of the 2023 season with an injury but came back with a vengeance. He made 31 tackles in four games, including 3.5 tackles for loss. Lindenberg is one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten when healthy.

Minnesota 2024 Season Win Total: 5.5
18. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
2023 was a breakout season for Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell as he played in 13 games, making 66 tackles, including four for a loss. Campbell can be the kind of linebacker that flourishes in a Kane Wommack defense.

2024 Alabama SEC Title Odds: +900
19. D.J. Lundy, Florida State
An All-ACC honorable mention season in 2023 has fans in Tallahassee salivating to see linebacker DJ Lundy in 2024. Last season, Lundy made 47 tackles, including five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also had an impact in coverage, breaking up four passes.

Florida State 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5
20. Karene Reid, Utah
Karene Reid was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023. Utah has a history of good linebacker play, and Reid is one of them. In his three years with the Utes, Reid has 184 career tackles, three interceptions, 13.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. He will increase those numbers in 2024.

Utah 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5
21. Francisco Mauigoa, Miami (FL)
Francisco Mauloga, an All-ACC Second-Teamer, is back to lead the Hurricane defense. After coming over from Washington State before the 2023 season, he put up big numbers. He made 82 tackles, with 18 tackles for loss. Getting him back for 2024 is huge for the Hurricanes.

Miami 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5
22. Tyreem Powell, Rutgers
Tyreem Powell is a 2024 preseason All-Big Ten selection at linebacker for the Scarlet Knights. Powell followed a breakout 2022 season with another solid 2023 season. In eight games, Powell made 53 tackles, including two sacks. He will spearhead the strength of this Rutgers team, the defense.

Rutgers 2024 Season Win Total: 6.5
23. Ruben Hyppolite II, Maryland
As a 2023 Third-Team All-Big Ten selection, Ruben Hyppolite II is returning as Maryland’s best linebacker. Last season, he made 66 tackles as a 13-game starter. His havoc numbers should also increase, as he has just 4.5 tackles for loss.

Maryland 2024 Season Win Total: 7.5
24. TJ Quinn, Louisville
TJ Quinn led the Louisville defense in tackles with 92 and came up huge in important spots as the Cardinals made it to the ACC title game. He had three tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, and three pass breakups in 2023.

Louisville 2024 Season Win Total: 8.5
25. Keli Lawson, Virginia Tech
After a very solid 2023 season Keli Lawson was named All-ACC honorable mention. Lawson made 80 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He is also very good in coverage breaking up seven passes. Lawson will lead a defense that could help the Hokies get back atop the ACC.

Virginia Tech 2024 Season WIn Total: 8.5
26. Triston Newson, Missouri
In his first season at Missouri, Triston Newson worked his way from a rotation player to starting linebacker in the Tigers’ final three games. In 13 games, Newson made 52 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.

Missouri 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5
27. Xander Mueller, Northwestern
Xander Mueller is a preseason All-Big Ten selection after a great 2023 season for the Wildcats. In 12 games, Mueller made 102 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, and three interceptions. He is the center of the Northwestern defense and could crack the 300-career tackle mark in 2024.

Northwestern 2024 Season Win Total: 5.5
28. Cade Uluave, California
Cade Uluave was a Freshman All-American in 2023 after posting big numbers for the Bears. He totaled 66 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Uluave also intercepted two passes and scored a defensive touchdown. He should have a bigger sophomore season.

California 2024 Season Win Total: 6.5
29. Caleb Bacon, Iowa State
Caleb Bacon is a former walk-on who earned a scholarship through solid play. His 2023 was good enough that he was added to the Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List. He made 60 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks last season.

Iowa State 2024 Season Win Total: 7.5
30. Chandler Martin, Memphis
Memphis’ Chandler Martin is a preseason All-American (4th Team) selection and has earned accolades every season he has played. He enters his second season with the Tigers after leading them with 95 tackles in 2023.

Memphis 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5
1. Harold Perkins, LSU
The junior has been All-SEC both of his seasons with the Tigers. While he took a step backward in 2023, he is still the best LSU defender. Harold Perkins has position versatility, playing in the middle and off the edge. In 2023, Perkins finished fourth for the Tigers in tackles with 75. He made 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Those numbers should go up this season.

LSU 2024 Season Win Total: 9.5