Top 25 College Football Linebackers

The college football season is approaching. There is always debate over ranking the best players in the sport. Here are the top 25 college football linebackers heading into the 2024 season.

Note: While projection of what a player can be is considered, most rankings are from what has been seen on the field. These are not NFL Draft rankings, but rather focus on the best players in college football.

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25. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan Wolverines

Barham has been a good contributor for Michigan over the last two season, but now more will be expected of him. He had 37 total tackles last season.

24. Chris Paul, Ole Miss Rebels

Paul started his career at Arkansas, but now is going to be suiting up for Ole Miss. He had 74 total tackles last season. Paul will be surrounded by plenty of other talented transfers on their roster as they make a push for the CFP.

23. Scooby Williams, Texas A&M Aggies

Williams turned into a good player for Florida last season, but decided to transfer to Texas A&M for this season. He had 53 total tackles last season.

22. Nick Martin, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Martin was all over the field for Oklahoma State last season with 140 total tackles. He made plenty of plays behind the line of scrimmage with 16 tackles for loss.

21. Jacob Manu, Arizona Wildcats

Arizona saw a good sophomore season out of Manu as he tallied 116 total tackles. A lot of the team left when their head coach Jedd Fisch left for Washington, so Manu will have a lot on his plate.

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20. Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky Wildcats

Dumas-Johnson found early success at Georgia, but then struggled to stay in the lineup with injuries. A fresh start at Kentucky could give him a chance to refind his footing after registering 125 total tackles with the Bulldogs.

19. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama Crimson Tide

Campbell racked up 66 total tackles lasts season for the Crimson Tide, as he helped them make the CFP. He will be a part of a talented linebacking crew for Alabama this season.

18. Eugene Asante, Auburn Tigers

Asante signed with North Carolina out of high school, but transferred to Auburn. Last year was the first productive one of his career, as he totaled 86 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.

17. Deontae Lawson, Alabama Crimson Tide

Lawson has been creating an impact for Alabama over the last few seasons. He is a leader on defense after totaling 67 tackles last season.

16. Jack Kiser, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Kiser has been leading the Notre Dame defense for several seasons. With 184 total tackles in his career, his experience could help the Fighting Irish defense be one of the best in the country.

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15. Carson Bruener, Washington Huskies

Bruener has been a big part of the Washington program for three seasons, helping the Huskies make the CFP last season. He has 201 career tackles.

14. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon Ducks

Oregon is transitioning to the Big Ten and a big season is expected. Bassa will help lead the defense after having 72 total tackles last season.

13. Cal Haladay, Michigan State Spartans

In each of the last three seasons, Haladay had at least 90 total tackles. He will help the Spartans transition to new head coach Jonathan Smith.

12. Nick Jackson, Iowa Hawkeyes

Although he started his career at Virginia, Jackson played for Iowa last season. He has 464 total tackles in his career, as one of the most experienced linebackers in college.

11. Power Echols, North Carolina Tar Heels

Echols isn’t the biggest linebacker, but he has two-straight seasons netting over 100 tackles. North Carolina has a lot of new faces, but Echols will be a familiar one leading the way.

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10. Francisco Mauigoa, Miami Hurricanes

After starting his career at Washington State, Mauigoa transferred to Miami last season to play with his brother Francis. He had 82 tackles with 18 coming for a loss.

9. Marlowe Wax, Syracuse Orange

In 2022, Wax had a big season with 91 total tackles. He followed that up with an even better season in 2023, as he had 110 total tackles and added 11.5 tackles for loss.

8. Anthony Hill, Texas Longhorns

Hill can rush the passer and stop the run well. As a freshman in 2023, he totaled 67 tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks.

7. Smael Mondon, Georgia Bulldogs

Mondon has found lots of success during his three years at Georgia. With 155 total tackles and 14 tackles for loss, Mondon will lead the defense once again in 2024.

6. Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oliver is another player that rushes the passer well as a linebacker. He had 15.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. His role has changed over the years for Oklahoma State, but he regularly produces.

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5. Jason Henderson, Old Dominion Monarchs

Henderson has been one of the most productive linebackers in college football over the last few seasons. In three years at Old Dominion he has 290 tackles.

4. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma Sooners

Stutsman has two straight 100-tackle seasons for Oklahoma, but he also has shown the ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He has 28 tackles for loss in three seasons for the Sooners.

3. Jay Higgins, Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa found a new star at linebacker last season in Higgins. He was all over the field for the Hawkeyes with 171 total tackles.

2. Harold Perkins, LSU Tigers

There are plenty of debates ongoing about what position is best for Perkins and which one would be best for LSU. The LSU defense hasn’t been great, but Perkins has totaled 147 tackles and 13 sacks over two seasons.

1. Barrett Carter, Clemson Tigers

Carter could’ve turned pro after last season, but returns as the best linebacker in college football. He has 151 total tackles and 21 tackles for loss in his career with more expected this season.

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