The Floor Slap’s 2023 Big Ten Football Preview continues with a look into the linebacker rooms. With virtually every Big Ten team boasting an “All-Big Ten caliber” linebacker, this easily the hardest position group to rank in the Big Ten.
Penn State at #1 was the easiest decision after they return their top four players from what was a great unit last season. Ohio State and Michigan are not fall behind with great returning talent of their own. Wisconsin and Michigan State continue the trend of stacked linebacker rooms and rounds out the top five.
As expected, Illinois and Iowa reload at linebacker despite some tough losses. But the quality of of talent found at Rutgers, Nebraska, and Indiana might surprise some people.
Purdue, Maryland, and Minnesota all feature a legitimate all-conference contender and have plenty of reasons for optimism. But they also have some holes to fill.
As has been tradition for the majority of these position group rankings, Northwestern finds themselves at the bottom of the barrel. The ongoing situation at the university only casts more doubt on the Wildcats.
1) Penn State
Top Inside Linebackers: Tyler Elsdon, Kobe King
Top Outside Linebackers: Abdul Carter, Curtis Jacobs, Keon Wylie, Dominic DeLuca, Tony Rojas
Penn State returns virtually every contributing linebacker from 2022 and has perhaps the best linebacker room in all of college football in 2023.
Tyler Elsdon and Kobe King both return at MLB. Elsdon was the official starter but the duo shared snaps last season, combining for 85 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4 PBUs, and a sack. Neither are asked to rush the passer much, but both linebackers are great at run defense and can drop into coverage when asked. It’ll be interesting to see if Manny Diaz continues to share the snap count evenly between Elsdon and King or if King can take yet another step forward in his development and overtake Elsdon as the starter.
Abdul Carter and Curtis Jacobs both return at OLB, forming a petrifying linebacker tandem for opposing offenses. Carter and Jacobs combined for 108 tackles, 18 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, 6 PBUs, 3 FFs, and an INT in 2022.
There figures to be plenty of room for improvement for Abdul Carter after he burst onto the scene as a true freshman last season. Jacobs, meanwhile, enters his 4th season with the program and is the bona fide leader of the group. There’s a real chance Carter and Jacobs are the best outside linebackers in the country and each earn All-American honors in 2023.
Tyler Elsdon, Kobe King, Abdul Carter, and Curtis Jacobs should dominate the snap count for the Penn State linebacker core. But there should be an interesting battle between Keon Wylie, Dominic DeLuca, and Tony Rojas for the primary backup at OLB.
Wylie appeared in three games as a true freshman last season. It’s yet to be seen how firm of a grasp he has on this defense, but the Pennsylvania-native has put on nearly 20lbs since enrolling and has is a natural pass-rusher. DeLuca originally enrolled as a safety in 2020. He’s been a special teams standout for the past two seasons and could be ready to take a step forward on defense. Rojas was a top-10 LB prospect in the 2023 spot and could carve out a role on this defense as a true freshman.
There doesn’t seem to be a weakness in this position group. Even if one of their elite linebackers go down, Penn State looks to have the depth necessary to remain a top unit in the conference. As we mentioned in the Receivers Preview, Ohio State’s WR room is the best position group in college football. But Penn State’s LB room might not be far behind them.
Grade: A+
2) Ohio State
Top Inside Linebackers: Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Simon
Top Outside Linebackers: Steele Chambers, CJ Hicks
Jim Knowles’ defense typically only features two linebackers on the field at a time, but the Buckeyes have those two positions locked down.
I think Tommy Eichenberg is the best middle linebacker in the country – it was a surprise when he didn’t declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. He enters his 6th season after being a 4-star prospect in the 2018 class. He struggled to see the field for the majority of his career but exploded onto the scene in the 2022 Rose Bowl, finishing with 17 tackles. He carried that momentum into 2023, finishing with 120 tackles, 12 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 3 PBUs, and an INT. He is as sure of a tackler and run-stopper as there is in the sport.
Eichenberg’s snap count might actually go down in 2023 thanks to the return of Cody Simon. The most productive Buckeye linebacker from 2021 was limited last year due to a litany of injuries. Now fully healthy, Jim Knowles says he expects Simon to be part of the starting rotation at linebacker. With his speed and ability to get after the quarterback, Cody Simon is a nice compliment to Tommy Eichenberg. With the duo able to swap out at MLB and keep each other fresh throughout the season, the outlook for this position is very strong.
A top-10 ATH in the 2019 class, Steele Chambers returns at OLB after making the full-time switch from RB last season. He was another surprise return for the Buckeyes after earning Big Ten Honorable Mention last season. Chambers had a strong performance against Georgia in the CFP, finishing with 8 tackles, a sack, and an INT. Similar to Tommy Eichenberg, Steele Chambers’ snap count could actually go down next season thanks to who is behind him.
CJ Hicks was a top-10 player in the 2022 class and appeared in 12 games as a true freshman last season. He played mainly on special teams and recorded only six tackles but gained valuable experience which should help him explode in 2023. CJ Hicks might be the best athlete on this entire Buckeye defense – a big reason why Jim Knowles says he expects to “unleash” Hicks this season.
There isn’t much experience behind these four players, but Ohio State boasts a two-deep at linebacker that’s as good as anyone’s in college football. An elite combination of experience and top-end talent make this one of the Buckeyes’ stronger position units.
Grade: A
3) Michigan
Top Inside Linebackers: Junior Colson, Jimmy Rolder
Top Outside Linebackers: Michael Barrett, Ernest Hausmann
Like their archrival, the Wolverines tend to play with only two linebackers on the field at a time. Their middle linebacker position figures to once again be occupied by Junior Colson.
Colson has 21 starts under his belt and earned 2nd-team All-Big Ten in 2022 with 101 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 2 sacks. A 4-star prospect in 2021, Colson has improved year over year with the Wolverines. He looks to take another step forward in his development and elevate himself to a potential day-2 NFL draft pick.
Jimmy Rolder looks to be Junior Colson’s primary backup. Rolder was a top-10 LB in the the 2022 class and appeared in nine games on defense last year, finishing with 14 tackles. His role figures to be limited given Colson’s stranglehold on the starting position, but Jimmy Rolder has all the physical tools necessary to step up and excel should Colson go down.
Michigan also returns its top OLB in Michael Barrett who earned 3rd-team All-Big Ten last year with 72 tackles, 5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and 2 INTs. A low 3-star recruit in 2018, Barrett mainly played on special teams before earning his starting job last season. Michael Barrett and Junior Colson are right up there with Eichenberg & Chambers and Jacobs & Carter for best Big Ten linebacker duo.
Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann looks to be Barrett’s primary backup and might even push Barrett as a potential co-starter. Hausmann was a 3-star recruit in 2022 and earned immediate play time for the Huskers as a true freshman. He played in all 12 games with seven starts, finishing with 54 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack.
It’s incredibly difficult to determine who has the better LB room between Ohio State and Michigan. Each have elite two-deeps headlined by a couple potential All-Americans and high NFL draft picks. Neither boasts tremendous depth behind their top four players, but neither should require a ton of depth given that they only play two linebackers.
I think Eichenberg is the best linebacker between these two teams and the potential CJ Hicks offers makes Ohio State’s ceiling a little higher. That’s why I went with Ohio State over Michigan here. But they are about as even as two position groups can get.
Grade: A
4) Wisconsin
Top Inside Linebackers: Maema Njongmeta, Jordan Turner, Jake Chaney
Top Outside Linebackers: CJ Goetz, Darryl Peterson, TJ Bollers, Kaden Johnson, Jeff Peitrowski
Wisconsin usually plays with two down linemen and four linebackers – two inside and two outside. Their outside linebackers are more like defensive ends in that they primarily set the edge and rush the passer. The Badgers’ inside linebackers must be versatile in both run and pass defense. Luckily, both of Wisconsin’s starting middle linebackers return in 2023.
Maema Njongmeta and Jordan Turner were first time starters in 2022 and each went through their own growing pains after not seeing much playing time prior to last season. Njongmeta earned 3rd-team All-Big Ten and Turner earned Big Ten Honorable Mention, combining for 160 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and 2 INTs. They’ll both be expected to do a lot more – something I think they’re capable of with a year of experience and the addition of Luke Fickell and Mike Tressel.
Jake Chaney should earn lot of reps in 2023 as the primary backup inside. As a true sophomore last year, Chaney appeared in every game with two starts and tallied 38 tackles, 4 sacks, a sack, and an INT. Tressel has said he thinks Chaney is a starting-caliber player, giving Wisconsin good depth behind their stalwarts at inside linebacker.
CJ Goetz figures to have one of the OLB spots locked down after starting every game last season and earning Big Ten Honorable Mention with 62 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 2 sacks. Goetz should do a good job of replacing Nick Herbig as the Badgers’ primary pass-rusher.
The other outside linebacker spot is a little more up in the air with three former 4-star prospects returning. Darryl Peterson and TJ Bollers each appeared in nearly every game last season as redshirt freshmen. Kaden Johnson is a redshirt junior who has appeared in 19 games over the last two seasons.
But all three will have to fend off Michigan State transfer Jeff Peitrowski for the starting spot. Peitrowski has been a mainstay at defensive end for the Spartans since his true freshman season in 2020. He has appeared in 23 games with 6 starts over the past three seasons and has 7.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks in his career.
Wisconsin consistently develops quality linebackers as well as anyone in college football. Despite a rocky start to the season, Maema Njongmeta and Jordan Turner continued that trend and should be the foundation of an improved unit in 2022. Jake Chaney also gives them good depth at the position. OLB looks just as secure with CJ Goetz contending for an All-Big Ten spot. Although the position opposite Goetz is a little foggier, the experience and talent there should ignite a good position battle. This is another elite unit.
Grade: A-
5) Michigan State
Top Inside Linebackers: Cal Haladay, Ma’a Gaoteote
Top Outside Linebackers: Jacoby Windmon, Darius Snow, Aaron Brule, Jordan Hall
Michigan State typically runs a 4-2-5 defense, but that fifth defensive back can either be a nickle or a star linebacker – a hybrid between a safety and a linebacker.
Darius Snow should have that star position locked down after appearing in every game with eight starts in 2021. He started the first couple games of 2022 but suffered a season-ending injury against Western Michigan. Snow earned Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2021 with 87 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2 PBUs, and an INT.
Jacoby Windmon returns at OLB after starting off last year on the defensive line. He made the switch to DE late in fall camp and got off to a hot start with 5.5 sacks in his first couple games. But after injuries piled up at linebacker and the Spartans faced a four-game skid, Windmon returned to linebacker against Wisconsin and led the team with 11 tackles, 2 TFLs, an INT, and FF in a win. He missed the last four games of the season, but is now 100% and ready to for an impactful season.
Cal Haladay returns in the middle after cementing himself as one of the conference’s best linebackers in the conference. In his second season as the starter, Haladay earned 2nd-team All-Big Ten with 78 tackles, 11 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. He’ll be backed up by Ma’a Gaoteote again. The former 4-star prospect could be in for a bigger role after appearing in 20 games in his first two seasons.
Aaron Brule returns for his 6th season and should see a lot of snaps in relief of Windmon at OLB. Brule transferred from Mississippi State last year and finished 2022 top-three on the team with 4 sacks and 6.5 TFLs.
True freshman Jordan Hall could also see some time this year after enrolling early and getting valuable experience in the spring. He was a consensus 4-star recruit and top-5 linebacker by ESPN and Rivals.
Cal Haladay, Jacoby Widnmon, and Darius Snow are an elite, experienced starting trio. They have the ability to rush the passer and defend the pass, making them a truly versatile group. Having seasoned veterans players like Ma’a Gaoteote and Aaron Brule coming off the bench alongside an elite prospect like Jordan Hall offers tons of optimism for the Spartans linebackers in 2023.
Grade: A-
6) Illinois
Top Inside Linebackers: Tarique Barnes, Dylan Rosiek, Kenenna Odeluga
Top Outside Linebackers: Seth Coleman, Gabe Jacas, Alec Bryant
It’s assumed that Illinois will continue to run it’s linebacker-heavy defense, with four or five linebackers on the field almost every down. This Illini defense faces a lot of overhaul behind the defensive line, but they luckily get a couple starters back in Seth Coleman and Tarique Barnes.
Barnes might be the most experienced middle linebacker in the Big Ten with 43 appearances and 25 starts in his four seasons with the team. He was Big Ten Honorable Mention in each of the past two seasons, with a combined 126 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and 7 PBUs. Tarique Barnes could have been selected in the past 2023 NFL Draft but decided to return for this 5th season.
Seth Coleman plays on the outside and also enters his 5th season with plenty of playing experience in his career. He was also Big Ten Honorable Mention last year with 45 tackles, 5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and 6 PBUs. Although Coleman is not yet a polished pass-rusher and doesn’t possess the instincts that Barnes does, he a great tackler and elite athlete.
Gabe Jacas should have no problem stepping into the other starting spot opposite Coleman. He appeared in every game at OLB last year and tallied 35 tackles, 5 TFLs, and 4 sacks. Jacas earned Freshman All-American honors and should continue to develop under Beliema’s staff. Former Virginia Tech transfer Alec Bryant also provides depth outside.
The battle for the other starting inside linebacker spot is likely to come down between Dylan Rosiek and Kenenna Odeluga. Neither were very highly-rated in the 2021 class, but both ended up appearing in every game as redshirt freshmen last season.
The second starting MLB spot is definitely the biggest question mark on an otherwise stacked defensive front. Tarique Barnes, Seth Coleman, and Gabe Jacas are another elite starting trio at linebacker and should help lead another stellar Illinois defense in 2023.
Grade: B+
7) Nebraska
Top Inside Linebackers: Luke Reimer, John Bullock
Top Outside Linebackers: Nick Henrich, MJ Sherman, Chief Borders, Jimari Butler
The play of the Husker linebackers in the new 3-3-5 defense will be pivotal to Nebraska’s defensive turnaround in 2023. Luckily, they return a couple stalwarts in Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich.
Henrich was a consensus 4-star and top-300 prospect in the 2019 class. He started every game in 2021 (which was technically his redshirt freshman year) and finished with 99 tackles and 3.5 TFLs. Henrich was off to another solid start last season before being lost for the season after just five games. Back for his 5th season, Nick Henrich has one of the OLB spots locked down and should have his best season yet.
Luke Reimer also enters his 5th season but he started off his career as a walk-on. He earned Big Ten Honorable Mention in each of the past two seasons, totaling 194 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 4 FFs, and 11 PBUs. The duo of Reimer and Henrich will be asked to rush the passer more this year than they have in the depth, but they both seem capable of adding that to their arsenal.
Transfer additions MJ Sherman and Chief Borders will likely battle for the other OLB spot. Sherman was a 4-star and top-100 recruit in the 2020 class. He has appeared in 40 games over the past three seasons with Georgia but has mainly played on special teams. Borders was a high 3-star/low 4-star prospect from the 2021 class but hasn’t seen the field much for Florida over his first two seasons.
Jimari Butler and John Bullock both return to provide some depth at the position. Butler enters his fourth season after seeing his first real play time at OLB last year, finishing with 9 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. Bullock was unranked as a prospect in 2019 but hasn’t seen much of the field outside of special teams. He’s the favorite to backup Reimer at MLB.
Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich are huge returns for a defense hoping to revitalize themselves and completely turn things around after an ugly 2022. Unlike the defensive line which looks to rotate as many as nine or ten guys, the starting linebackers shouldn’t leave the field much. I think either MJ Sherman or Chief Borders will emerge as a reliable third starter. Depth is a bit of a concern, but this unit looks ready to help lead a massive scheme change in 2023.
Grade: B
8) Rutgers
Top Inside Linebackers: Tyreem Powell, Jamier Wright-Collins
Top Outside Linebackers: Deion Jennings, Mohamed Toure, Moses Walker
Mohamed Toure returns after missing all of 2022 with injury. He was supposed to be a key piece of the Rutgers defense after playing in every game 2020-21, totaling 70 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and 9 sacks in those years. Toure’s ability to rush the passer immediately upgrades this unit from last year.
6th-year senior Deion Jennings will start opposite Toure. He earned Big Ten Honorable Mention last year with 91 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and 6 PBUs.
Moses Walker will also see plenty of the field as a redshirt freshman. Walker was a top-300 prospect in the 2022 class and was a standout in spring practice. He missed all of last season due to injury.
Tyreem Powell should own the MLB spot in 2023 after totaling 71 tackles, 6 TFLs, 3 sacks, and 4 PBUs last season. Powell was a 3-star ATH in the 2020 class and has appeared in every game for the Scarlet Knights over the past two seasons.
Converted running back Jamier Wright-Collins will back Powell up. In his first season at linebacker last year, Wright-Collins had 24 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. There’s definitely a question of depth behind Powell, but Jamier Wright-Collins should continue to develop as he gets more comfortable as a full-time linebacker.
Assuming the injury bug doesn’t bite again, Rutgers is looking at a formidable linebacker room in 2023. Mohamed Toure and Moses Walker should be able to harass quarterbacks while Jennings drops into coverage and Powell stuffs the run. The Scarlet Knights have a sneaky good unit here, but there only being five reliable linebackers for a team that consistently field three is a concern.
Grade: B
9) Indiana
Top Inside Linebackers: Jacob Mangum-Farrar, Jared Casey
Top Outside Linebackers: Aaron Casey, Matt Hohlt, Joshua Rudolph
The Hoosiers return one of the most underrated defenders in all of college football in Aaron Casey. Now entering his 6th season, Casey slowly worked his way up the depth chart at linebacker before exploding onto the scene last year. He earned 3rd-team All-Big Ten with 85 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 FFs, and 2 PBUs. According to PFF, Aaron Casey is a top-10 linebacker in the country heading into 2023.
Indiana usually operates with only two linebackers on the field, so there is decent depth with Matt Hohlt and Joshua Rudolph backing up Casey. Hohlt was unranked as a prospect in 2021 but emerged as a backup linebacker last year. He appeared in the first 10 games before missing the final two due to injury, totaling 19 tackles. Joshua Rudolph played at Austin Peay last year and was top-10 in his conference in tackles and TFLs.
Jacob Mangum-Farrar is a new arrival after spending the past five seasons at Stanford. He appeared in 20 games with 11 starts over the past two seasons and totaled 85 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and 3 PBUs. He may have emerged as a full-time starter had an injury not cost him all of the 2019 and 2020 seasons. At 6’4″ 225lbs, Jacob Mangum-Farrar should secure the starting MLB spot and bolster a unit that suffered many losses.
Mangum-Farrar could end up sharing that spot with former Kentucky transfer Jared Casey. A 4-star prospect in the 2019 class, Casey appeared in eight games in his first season with Indiana last year. He finished with 30 tackles.
I think Aaron Casey is a future NFL player and the rotation of Jacob Mangum-Farrar and Jared Casey at MLB could end up being dynamic. I’m concerned about the depth behind Casey, but he has remained relatively healthy throughout his long career. Indiana boasts a very solid linebacker core in 2023.
Grade: B-
10) Iowa
Top Inside Linebackers: Jay Higgins, Jaden Harrell
Top Outside Linebackers: Nick Jackson, Kyler Fisher, Karson Sharar
Iowa should boast another great defense in 2023, but they have a lot of turnover at linebacker to address first. Jay Higgins is the most experienced returner and figures to start at MLB. The redshirt junior stepped up when Jestin Jacobs missed time last season, finishing with 47 tackles.
Nick Jackson was a huge addition out of the transfer portal from Virginia. He was the ACC’s leading tackler in each of the past three seasons and earned All-conference honors all three years. He has 352 stops, 20 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, and 8 PBUs in his career. Jackson is a smart player, sure tackler, and savvy blitzer. He doesn’t possess the elite athleticism or straight-line speed to be a 1st-round pick, but his arrival will help cushion the mass exodus of talent at linebacker.
Kyler Fisher and Karson Sharar will likely battle for the other starting OLB spot. Fisher enters his 5th season after starting out his career as a walk-on. He started at running back before moving to defensive back and ultimately outside linebacker. Fisher saw his first meaningful play time outside of special teams last year, appearing in every game on defense but finishing with just 5 tackles. Sharar was a 3-star ATH in 2021 but was lost for the season in last year’s opener.
The position gets thin really quick for the Hawkeyes. Jaden Harrell is the favorite to back up Higgins at MLB, but the redshirt sophomore has yet to see any game action.
Nick Jackson and Jay Higgins are a good foundation for an Iowa linebacker core that typically reloads really well. The loss of Seth Campbell is simply irreplaceable and the lack of depth here is a legitimate concern. But I think Kyler Fisher will step up in his final season and be a reputable starter for the Hawkeye defense. This linebacker unit is not elite but should be reliable enough for an otherwise great defense.
Grade: B-
11) Purdue
Top Inside Linebackers: OC Brothers, Clyde Washington, Yanni Karlaftis, Scotty Humpich
Top Outside Linebackers: Kydran Jenkins, Khordae Sydnor, Nic Scourton
It’ll be interesting to see if Ryan Walters brings the identical defense he ran at Illinois to Purdue. Typically, the Illini would operate with three big down linemen, two outside linebackers that play close to the line of scrimmage, a middle linebacker, and five DBs. But they changed looks a lot depending on the offensive personnel they faced. Illinois would oftentimes bring in a weak-side middle linebacker in place of a safety for stronger run support. We’ll operate with the assumption that Purdue will mainly run a four-linebacker set with two on the inside and two on the outside.
Purdue has two of the starting spots secured with OC Brother at MLB and Kydran Jenkins on the outside. Brothers, a 5th-year senior, finally cracked the linebacker rotation last year. He started 10 games and totaled 42 tackles and 3 PBUs. Jenkins was a bit underdeveloped when he arrived in 2021 from Auburn but has improved year over year. He should be in for a big step forward in 2023.
Kydran Jenkins is Purdue’s most versatile weapon along the defensive front. The redshirt junior has started 25 games over the past two seasons and earned Big Ten Honorable Mention last year thanks to his ability to get into the backfield. I think Ryan Walters will help unleash all of Jenkins’ potential and make him an All-Big Ten outside linebacker.
The other OLB spot will come down to Khordae Sydnor and Nic Scourton. Sydnor showed flashes of potential as a redshirt freshman last year, finishing with 22 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks. Scourton was a top-200 prospect and appeared in 10 games as a true freshman last season.
Scotty Humpich also returns for a 6th season and should compete to see valuable snaps. He was an all-conference linebacker at Murray State of the FCS before he transferred to Purdue last year. Humpich appeared in every game and finished with 16 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. His experience and size at 6’4″ 255lbs will make it hard to keep him off the field.
That second inside linebacker spot opposite OC Brothers is a bit of wild card though. It’ll likely end up being some combination of Clyde Washington and Yanni Karlaftis. It’d be cool to see Yanni follow in his big brother George’s foot steps and become a Purdue legend, but Washington probably has the edge.
The middle linebacker positions concern me because I don’t think OC Brothers is good enough to solely overcome the youth around him. But the Boilermakers boast a ton of talent on the edge with Kydran Jenkins, Khordae Sydnor, Nic Scourton, and Scotty Humpich.
Grade: C+
12) Maryland
Top Inside Linebackers: Jaishawn Barham, Fa’Najae Gotay
Top Outside Linebackers: Kellan Wyatt, Ruben Hyppolite II, Riyad Wilmot, Caleb Wheatland
The Terps return one of college football’s best young linebackers in Jaishawn Barham. The consensus 4-star prospect earned Freshman All-American honors with 58 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and 4 sacks. At 6’4″ 23lbs, he is already a force in run defense. Barham should continue to improve as he gets more comfortable in Brian Williams’ defense and emerge as the defense’s leader at MLB.
Kellan Wyatt and Ruben Hyppolite II are the favorites to start on the outside of Maryland’s 4-3 defense. Hyppolite was a 4-star prospect in 2020 and has been a regular contributor since he was a true freshman. He started every game for the Terps in 2021 and finished 3rd on the team with 62 tackles. Hyppolite was limited due to injury last year, finishing with only 24 tackles. The Terps will need him fully healthy in 2023 to help lead a relatively inexperienced unit outside of him and Barham.
Wyatt was a 3-star recruit and appeared in 11 games with 4 starts as a true freshman last season. He totaled only 16 tackles but showed some promise showed some promise operating close to the line of scrimmage. He’s put on about 50lbs since high school and can be a force in pass rush.
Riyad Wilmot and Caleb Wheatland look like the top backups on the outside. Wheatland appeared in 11 games as a true freshman last season and recorded 17 tackles & 2 TFLs. Wilmot is transitioning from the defensive line after only playing sparingly through his first three seasons.
Fa’Najae Gotay enters his 6th season and is a solid backup for Barham at MLB. In his last three healthy seasons, Gotay has combined for 88 tackles. He’s a bit undersized at 5’10” 220lbs, but is reliable enough to step in for a few plays at a time.
Jaishawn Barham is unquestionably one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten in 2023. I like Ruben Hyppolite II as long as he is healthy, but the linebacker unit has a lot of question marks behind those two. I’m not convinced Kellan Wyatt can play off the line and be a versatile linebacker. And I don’t trust any of the primary backups in the event they have to step into a starting role for a long period of time. But Barham is good enough to make up for some of these shortcomings.
Grade: C+
13) Minnesota
Top Inside Linebackers: Ryan Selig, Maverick Baranowksi, Devon Williams
Top Outside Linebackers: Cody Lindenberg, Joey Gerlach, Rowan Zolman
The Gophers have a lot to replace at linebacker in 2023 thanks to three major departures – two of which were starters. Cody Lindenberg is the lone returner and could be in for an All-Big Ten season at OLB. He appeared in every game last season and started the last six after not playing much in his first two seasons. Lindenberg earned Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2022 with 71 tackles and 4 TFLs.
The other outside linebacker spot is likely between Joey Gerlach and Roawn Zolman. Gerlach did not see game action as redshirted as a true freshman last season. Zolman spent his true freshman season at Miami OH last year where he appeared in nine games and made one start. He recorded his first career INT in their bowl game vs UAB.
The Gophers hit the portal to fulfill their need to MLB in Ryan Selig who joined RB transfer Sean Tyler from Western Michigan. Selig had a combined 136 tackles, 12 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks over the past two seasons. He looks the part at 6’3″ 245lbs, but he’ll have to fend off Maverick Baranowski and Devon Williams for the starting spot. Baranowski appeared in four games as a true freshman last season and Williams appeared in seven as a redshirt freshman.
I think Cody Lindenberg is an all-conference caliber linebacker. The experience 6th-year senior Ryan Selig brings to the group is crucial. He is another All-Big Ten contender. But the sheer lack of play time behind those two make me incredibly nervous. And unlike Aaron Casey or Jaishawn Barham, I don’t think Lindenberg is quite the player to elevate this unit above a passing grade.
Grade: C
14) Northwestern
Top Inside Linebackers: Bryce Gallagher, Mac Uihlein
Top Outside Linebackers: Xander Mueller, Greyson Metz, Brayden Brus
Bryce Gallagher and Xander Mueller both return as the anchors of this unit after combining for 187 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, and 4 sacks last year. Despite the inflated tackle count, Northwestern finished 114th nationally in sacks and dead last in the Big Ten in opponent rush yards per game and yards per rush. Gallagher and Mueller are a little slow for today’s game, so I expect more of the same from the Wildcats in 2023.
Greyson Metz is the likeliest to get the other starting spot. He appeared in every game last year with give starts and finished with 41 tackles and a TFL. That was his first significant play time of his career.
Brayden Brus looks like the likeliest candidate to step into a starting role on the outside should someone go down. Brus was a 3-star ATH in the 2022 class but didn’t see the field last year.
Mac Uihlein is a semi-reliable backup behind Gallagher at MLB. He appeared in 11 games as a redshirt freshman last season and had 12 tackles.
Bryce Gallagher and Xander Mueller offer good experience but also bring unspectacular play. There isn’t much experience behind them so a lot of the production will fall on their shoulders. I’m not sure if that is going to result in a ton of defensive success in 2023.
Grade: D