2024 Top 10 Linebacker Unit Rankings: Georgia, Iowa and Michigan project as the best rooms this fall
With spring practice in the books and the second transfer portal window closed, it’s time to kickstart our summer series evaluating 2024 positional unit rankings.
I debuted the series with a look at the 10 best quarterback rooms, and then ranked Top 10 running back units in 2024, the best tight end rooms and the top receiver units this fall. We concluded the offensive side of the ball with the big uglies, ranking the Top 10 offensive line units this season.
This week, we take a swing at the best defensive rooms. On Monday, I released my (semi-controversial???) Top 10 defensive line/edge units, which were extremely difficult to rank. Today, it’s the best 10 linebacker rooms for 2024.
Also difficult with so many quality defensive players returning to college football this fall.
Alas, that’s the job.
So, the Top 10 linebacker units in 2024:
1. Georgia
The Bulldogs willingly watched an All-SEC linebacker leave to another SEC team because Jamon Dumas-Johnson wasn’t set to be promised a starting spot in 2024 — that’s how loaded UGA is at linebacker this season.
Sophomores CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson are a pair of former blue-chip recruits who saw ample playing time down the stretch in 2023. They’re both freaky athletic and super instinctive. Former 5-star recruit Smael Mondon Jr. opted to return for his senior season and projects as a likely starter, while junior Jalen Walker might be the best Swiss Army knife linebacker in the country as a pseudo inside edge rusher (team-high 5.0 sacks). The icing on the cake? UGA also signed two of the best inside linebackers in the country in Justin Williams and Chris Cole
2. Iowa
The Hawkeyes return two of the most productive linebackers in the country from 2023, plus every notable backup in the unit off last year’s Top 10 defense.
Jay Higgins and all of his 171 tackles is back for one last ride with the Hawkeyes. The fifth-year senior tied a school record for stops in 2023, and ended the season as the most valuable linebacker in the country, per PFF. Also back is Nick Jackson, as the former Virgina transfer was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. Jackson had 110 tackles and 4.0 sacks last season.
The Hawkeyes return key swing-man Kyler Fisher, who can play inside or outside and provides real pass rushing ability (3.5 sacks), as well as several other upperclassmen who are green on experience but have been in Phil Parker’s system for several years.
3. Michigan
Despite losing starters Junior Colson and Michael Barrett to the NFL, the Wolverines shouldn’t suffer much of a drop-off at inside linebacker in 2024. Former Nebraska transfer Ernest Hausmann will step into a starting role after playing a lot as a reserve in 2023, and Michigan also welcomes Maryland transfer Jaishawn Barham — the top-ranked linebacker in the portal.
Barham, who was injured for much of last season, was a Freshman All-American in 2022, and has All-Big Ten potential if he’s able to maximize his talent in the Wolverines’ defense. Michigan doesn’t have outstanding depth, but Jimmy Rolder is a solid rotational piece, while former 4-star redshirt freshman Semaj Bridgeman could provide some key snaps as a pass rushing option from the linebacker spot.
4. Oklahoma
All-American Danny Stutsman is back as a Tier 1 Butkus Award candidate in 2024. The senior stuffed the stat sheet last season with 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, a pair of forced fumbles and a pick-six. Stutsman should have more help this season, too, as Kip Lewis is ready for an even bigger role after a breakout freshman season in 2023 (66 tackles, second-most on the team).
Brent Venables also employs a Cheetah linebacker in his defense rather than a true nickel-back , with Kendel Dolby (the better-cover guy) and Dasan McCullough (a more pure rusher, run defender) sharing starts last season. Both are capable of playing the MIKE and WILL, too. OU also has valuable depth pieces with sophomores Lewis Carter and Kobie McKinize pushing for starting roles, plus backup Jaren Kanak, who had 62 tackles in a reserve role in 2023.
5. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys might have one of the better linebackers most casual fans aren’t aware of, as All-Big 12 honoree Nick Martin looks to best a season where he just recorded 140 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and six sacks.
The Pokes’ unit could be even more dynamic in 2024, as Collin Oliver should be even more comfortable in his role as an off-ball linebacker after transitioning from end last season (still had 73 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss). Oklahoma State doesn’t return much other experience, but seventh-year senior Justin Wright is back after missing most all of the 2023 season with an injury. Wright had over 100 tackles in 2022. Sophomore Donovan Stephens is also seen as a future impact player for the Cowboys, as well.
6. Clemson
Barrett Carter surprised a lot of folks when he opted to turn down the NFL Draft and return to Clemson for one more year. The former blue-chip recruit was PFF’s No. 1 linebacker in the 2024 draft class despite a semi-down junior season, and now he has the opportunity to truly play himself back into the 1st Round conversation with a big senior season.
Wade Woodaz and Kobe McCloud are back after serving as rotational options last season, with both vying for a starting spot opposite Carter. But a 5-star freshman could push for one of those jobs immediately, as Sammy Brown had a monster spring for the Tigers and will see the field early this fall. Brown plays the position with his hair on fire, and is a ridiculous athlete who had crazy accomplishments as a high school tailback, wrestler and track star.
7. Alabama
Deontae Lawson is among the more underrated linebackers in the country, as the redshirt junior finally relished a spotlight role in 2023. While he missed several games due to an injury, it was a breakout season for Lawson, who proved to by a plus pass rusher and run defender in multiple spots for the Tide.
In Kane Wommack’s 4-2-5 scheme, Lawson should have a monster 2024 season, while Jihaad Campbell (and his blazing speed) projects as an excellent running mate as a versatile cover/pass rushing option at the weak-side spot.
The Tide also bring back senior Justin Jefferson, a former JUCO transfer who could carve out a bigger role this fall. Jeremiah Alexander is a former blue-chip recruit who also has major upside after moving from edge/end to inside linebacker and could be a situational difference-maker this fall.
8. Kentucky
Although the Wildcats must replace Trevin Wallace, UK still boasts one of the best linebacker units in the SEC with a pair of super-seniors in D’Eryk Jackson and Daveren Rayner coupled with the addition of All-SEC transfer Jamon Dumas-Johnson from Georgia.
Jackson led the ‘Cats in tackles (89) in 2023, while Dumas-Johnson was an All-American in 2022 and is among the most proven linebackers in the country after starting multiple years on a championship defense. Kentucky is also excited about the emergence of redshirt freshman Grant Godfrey, who made the move to off-ball linebacker this spring and will see snaps in a backup role. The fact that JJ Weaver will oftentimes leave his edge spot and drop into coverage as a traditional SAM backer makes UK’s unit all the more formidable.
9. Notre Dame
The Irish lost some serious production from their linebacking corp from last season, and yet, with Jack Kiser’s return coupled with the rise of several promising underclassmen, the unit could actually provide more upside in 2024.
As a fifth-year player in 2023, Kiser emerged as a breakout candidate and now back for a sixth season, he could become a household name as a senior. Kiser’s per-snap production was among the best in the country last year, and there’s hope that former 5-star Jaylen Sneed is ready for a primetime role as the team’s ROVER-backer. Drayk Bowen is another former blue-chip recruit who looks set to take over the MIKE spot this fall, while Kahanu Kia and Jaiden Ausberry are high-upside sophomores vying for snaps. Then there’s true freshman early enrollee Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who had such an outstanding spring many believe he’ll see early snaps in some capacity this season, too.
10. LSU
Is this a swing on upside and projection?
You betcha!
After a down sophomore season, Harold Perkins is sticking at inside linebacker with the hopes that his freakish talent will flourish in the right role. Even in a “regression year,” Perkins still posted a plus coverage grade (per PFF) and had 13.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks.
Former 4-star recruit Greg Penn III has been a serviceable body inside, but he’s being pushed for a starting spot by Whit Weeks, who was among the bright spots as a freshman on an awful unit in 2023. Weeks has elite athleticism and probably will be too talented to keep off the field this fall. In reserve, LSU also has his brother West Weeks, plus intriguing underclassmen Davon Keys, Tylen Singleton and Kolaj Cobbins.
Best of the Rest: Arizona, Auburn, Penn State and Oregon