By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
Linebackers act as a versatile bridge between the defensive line and defensive backs.
They’re tasked with defending against both the run and the pass, and are often key to reading offenses and calling defensive plays.
As the calendar rolls through July and we inch closer to the 2025 college football season, we continue our look at the best position groups in the West.
Today, we will focus on the region’s top LB units.
1. BYU Cougars
The Cougars are dominant in the middle of the defense, ranking 13th in the nation in 2024 in total defense and third in the nation with 29 takeaways.
All-American Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly are ball hawking playmakers, and Siale Esera or Miles Hall work in the middle of those two All-Conference performers.
While both middle linebackers dont have a lot experience, they offer athleticism to roam the middle. There is no reason for BYU to have a major drop off this season.
2. Utah Utes
Lander Barton leads a group of Utah LBs that can make plays in the passing game or stuff the run.
The Utes struggled to a sub-.500 record in 2024, but the defense limited opponents to 61 yards per game, below their season averages.
In addition to leading tackler Barton, the Utes also added Levani Dumani, a four-year starter at Stanford. Johnathan Hall was a tackling machine in 2024 as a backup; this season he will man the Rover position.
3. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks own the top linebacker in my individual rankings in Bryce Boettcher, following his breakout season last fall.
On either side of Boettcher will be a pair of experienced sure tacklers with Teitum Tuioti and Devon Jackson lining up on the outside.
We classify Matayo Uiagalelei as a defensive end, but when he lines up in a true LB spot on certain sets the Ducks get even better in the middle of the field. Adding to Oregon’s depth this season will be Jerry Mixon and Blake Purchase.
4. Arizona State Sun Devils
The Sun Devils will predominantly operate out of a 4-2-5 set on defense, but the duo of LBs they are putting on the field are high quality.
Keyshaun Elliott is one of the best in the Big XII if not the nation and is a disruption on any play—whether blowing up the run or creating havoc for QBs.
Pair him with Jordan Crook or Zyrus Fiaseu and the Devils have a stout LB corps. Crook is very good in coverage and Fiaseu is a tackling machine.
5. California Golden Bears
Cal’s 3-4 defensive set is loaded with talent in the middle and specifically in the middle of the middle! Cal has not two but potentially three difference makers at Inside Linebacker.
Cade Uluave, a former Pac-12 freshmen of the year, is a do-everything LB who makes plays all over the field against the run, pass and in the backfield. Buom Jock racks up tackles and has a nose for the ball. Hunter Barth, a sure tackler, is the third of the trio inside.
So, you ask why not play one on the outside? Well, the Bears just might at times, but they also have plenty of options there. Odera Okaka could be explosive off the edge this season, and Ryan McCulloch should be very good defending the pass.
6. Colorado Buffaloes
The Buff LBs got better this spring through the portal. Both MLBs slated to start were added in the off season with Reginald Hughes coming in from Jackson State via Ole Miss and Martavius French arriving from UTSA.
Hughes is a disrupter while French excels against the pass. On the outside, Samuel Okunlola and Arden Walker can come off the edge and makes plays in the open field.
Shuan Myers also should be in the fold and offers a lot of experience and Jeremiah Brown could also have an impact.
7. San Jose State Spartans
The Spartans have a star in Jackson Pollard who is coming off a 115-tackle season which saw him make 14 behind the line of scrimmage.
Ethan Powell is another player who could earn some All-Conference accolades when the season ends. He is excellent in coverage and make big plays in the run game. SJSU should also see good production from Noah McNeal-Franklin, Taniela Latu, and Zane Carter.
When you look at the LB group as a whole for San Jose State there is a lot of talent coming from a lot of places. With a true star leading the way, this unit has the chance to be really good in 2025.
8. Washington Huskies
The Huskies were woefully bad against the run in 2024 and that needs to change in 2025 if UW is to have success. Again, we have a team predominantly operating with two LBs and both of the men in the middle will be newcomers for UW in 2025.
Xe’ree Alexander enters from UCF and should play the strong side while Buddah Al-Uqdah will most likely line up on the opposite side. Al-Uqdah led WSU in tackles in 2024 while also picking off three passes. Alexander was the Knights’ second-leading tackler.
Both should make an immediate impact for Washington.
Jacob Manu is rehabbing an ACL tear, and should he come back as early as he is hoping for, and he is as elite as he was with Arizona, the Huskies LBs will cause a lot of problems.
9. Boise State Broncos
The loss of Andrew Simpson to North Carolina in May can’t be overstated, and while he is gone, the Broncos will return Marco Notarainni, who ended last season with 60 tackles.
Normally BSU operates with two LBs, and the experienced senior will probably shift to the strong side this season.
Chase Martin will now hold down the weak side and can play sideline to sideline. Jake Ripp and Clay Martineau will offer depth, but both of them are fairly untested and raw.
10. UCLA Bruins
The Bruins lost some talent last season in the middle of the defense but return some pieces they can plug in to get production.
Jalen Woods could be impactful this season. Ben Perry transfers in from Louisville, the long defender is a converted safety who can play the run and obviously cover in the passing game.
JonJon Vaughns should see a lot more action this season and will be productive in coverage.
11. USC Trojans
Eric Gentry gives the Trojans a great starting point with their LB unit. The fifth-year senior was forced to miss time last season due to concussions but is a big hitter who makes plays all over the place when he is on the field.
As a freshman last season, Desmond Stephens showed signs of the impact he could make with an interception and a forced fumble.
An increased role should bring a huge jump in production for the sophomore. Look for him to make plays in coverage and disrupt things in the backfield.
12. Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats lost Jacob Manu to Washington in the portal, but Arizona should be a lot deeper at LB in 2025 than they were a season ago.
Chase Kennedy and Taye Brown should see the bulk of the action. Brown was second on the team in tackles last season and will continue to get better.
Riley WIlson, Max Harris, and Blake Gotchar are all very experienced senior transfers that will give the Wildcats a good rotation at the position this fall.
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).