Top 30 College Football Linebackers

With the College Football  AP Top 25 being released today, let’s take this opportunity to look at a postition group more in depth.

How do you ensure that your defense is good? Find a quarterback. No, not that kind of quarterback. A quarterback of the defense. Usually, a linebacker. Every position is important to a unit, but a linebacker may be more important than the rest. They have to have the strength to take on an offensive lineman and the speed to cover a receiver. They make the calls and audibles to certain adjustments that the offense makes. Today, we look at the 30 best linebackers in college football.

Top College Quarterbacks

Top College Running Backs

Top College Wide Receivers

Top College Tight Ends

Top College Centers

Top College Guards

Top College Tackles

Top College Defensive Ends

Top College Defensive Tackles

Outside Linebackers

1. Dakota Allen, Texas Tech: Transferred from Tech to Last Chance U (East Mississippi Community College) and transferred back to Tech. Great instincts and closing speed to make tackles.

2. D’Andre Walker, Georgia: Hard hitter who’s one of the few returners on defense for the Bulldogs in 2018.

3. Khaleke Hudson, Michigan: Does a little bit of everything at the Viper position. Had eight tackles for loss against Minnesota last year.

4. David Long Jr, West Virgnina: He’s everywhere on the field, and is a big reason why the Mountaineers defense will be the best Dana Holgorsen’s ever had.

5. Anfernee Jennings, Alabama: An injury ended his season one game short, but he was dominating right before it.

6. Josh Allen, Kentucky: Not that Josh Allen. This one plays defense, and does it well in the SEC.

7. Joe Giles-Harris, Duke: Blue Devils defense could be one of the best in the ACC, and Giles-Harris will lead the way. Had 125 tackles, with 16 for loss last year.

8. Tyrel Dodson, Texas A&M: Was really learning the position last year, but now should be unleashed with his experience.

9. Joe Dineen Jr, Kansas: Maybe the lone bright spot for the Jayhawks, Dineen had 133 tackles including 22 for loss.

10. Nate Hall, Northwestern: The Wildcats will have to great linebackers again this year, and Hall is as disruptive as they come.

11. Kendall Joseph, Clemson: Has the luxury of having four potential first round picks in front of him, so ideally, he will just clean up anything that gets past them.

12. Michael Pinckney, Miami: Entering his third year as a starter. Pinckney plays fast, and doesn’t second guess his decisions.

13. Jeffrey Allison, Fresno State: Defense was a big factor for the Bulldogs turnaround, and Allison had a lot to do with it.

14. Andrew Van Ginkel, Wisconsin: Made some huge plays in the Big Ten Championship and Orange Bowl, and should see the field more this year.

15. Ulysees Gilbert, Akron: 140 tackles means that you’re in the right place. A lot. Gilbert knows where to be and how to finish a play.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

1. Devin White, LSU: The Tigers should continue to play solid defense, and they’re leader is a playmaker (133 tackles, 13.5 TFL).

2. Shaquille Quarterman, Miami: Another Hurricane entering his third year as a starter, Quarterman has made an impact since his first game.

3. Troy Dye, Oregon: Ducks may not be known for defense, but Dye is one of the best they’ve ever had.

4. Devin Bush, Michigan: People will say he’s undersized, but that doesn’t deter him from disrupting offenses.

5. Cameron Smith, USC: Doesn’t get nearly enough attention, but he should if he continues to be the playmaker he’s shown he can be.

6. TJ Edwards, Wisconsin: Edwards may not be the best linebacker the Badgers have ever had, but he’s a good one still.

7. Te’Von Coney, Notre Dame: Now that the potential one-year suspension seems to be going away, Irish have one of their leaders back.

8. Ty Summers, TCU: Back for one more ride, Summers is a leader even if his stats may not be the best. Should see more tackles with Travin Howard gone.

9. Joe Bachie, Michigan State: Just the latest Spartan tackling machine to play linebacker. Seems to be a next man up mentality for this team.

10. Khalil Hodge, Buffalo: Starting to gain some national recognition. That will happen when you record 276 tackles in two seasons, including 153 last year alone.

11. Mack Wilson, Alabama: Speaking of latest and greatest, Wilson is the next linebacker up for the Tide. If he stays healthy, watch out.

12. Thomas Barber, Minnesota: Gets lost in the Big Ten in terms of recognition, but he had 115 tackles, including 10.5 for loss last year.

13. Paddy Fisher, Northwestern: Has the potential to be the best linebacker yet for the Wildcats. He and Nate Hall are a problem.

14. Logan Wilson, Wyoming: One more star for Craig Bohl to utilize. Wilson plays like Bohl’s NDSU linebackers did, and that should mean good things.

15. Bobby Okereke, Stanford: Yet another player on a team with linebacker tradition. He’s the #20 on the team that people forget, but he can make game-changing plays just like Bryce Love.