With the CFB season approaching we’re diving into previews for each position in the Big 12 along the defensive side.
The Big 12’s linebackers were actually really good in 2018. Multiple NFL draft picks and the returning a ton of production should make it the most promising defensive position the Big 12 has had in a while. If you did miss the Defensive Line preview, check it out.
10: Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas lost maybe it’s best Linebacker in school history as Joe Dineen Jr. has moved on to the pros. They return Denzel Feaster and Dru Prox who had a combined 12 tackles from a season ago. The Jayhawks run a 4-2-5, so Bryce Torenden is considered to be a Nickelback. Even if you add him into the Linebackers, I’m not sure there ranking gets much higher. Kansas’s secondary is solid this year, so that should help take some pressure off. But Kansas is not going to be good at defending the run and the inexperience at LB is a huge flaw.
9: West Virginia Mountaineers
The turmoil that West Virginia had to endure during the off-season is something Mountaineer fans are going to have to swallow. Big 12 DPOY David Long is gone and some new players are going to have to step in. Dylan Tonkery and Josh Chandler are going to be the most experience of the group and will likely play a major role. Tonkery had a promising start at Safety as a freshman when he recorded 44 Tackles and 7 TFL.
He moved to Linebacker in 2018 and didn’t get much playing time because of David Long. The wildcard in this mix is Alabama transfer Vandarius Cowan. 2018’s No. 4 Ranked OLB had to sit out last season, so it’ll be very interesting as to what kind of role he plays. Dude is an absolute unit at 6’4″ 240 LBs.
8: Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State returns it’s leading tackler from a year ago in Da’Quan Patton, but outside of him, KSU has some big question marks. The front 7 is very good, but there isn’t a true playmaker in the Linebacking core. Elijah Sullivan will be the other starter, but lacks experience and size as well. K-State’s D-Line and DB’s are pretty good, which should make up for it a bit. If the LBs can get up to speed KSU can have a Top 3 Big 12 defense.
7: Texas Tech Red Raiders
One of the best players from Kliff Kingsbury was LB Dakota Allen. But he wasn’t the most productive player from Tech as that was Senior Jordyn Brooks. Brooks led the team in tackles and snagged a interception to along with 6.5 TFL’s and 2.5 sacks left.
Riko Jeffries is also returning as he had 68 tackles last year. Although they are two of the top tacklers from last year, the system under David Wells should make things very intriguing for how they perform. The focus on defense should be more clear with Kingsbury in Arizona.
6: Baylor Bears
Baylor returns 2nd Team All-Big 12 Clay Johnston for his senior season in hope to staying healthy throughout. Baylor’s Linebacking core is in a similar situation as their DL. One proven star and some experienced guys around that need to step up. Black Lynch stepped up towards the back half of the season (49 Tackles, 4 TFL, 1 INT).
Fellow Senior Jordan Williams will fill out the Linebacking core as the 3rd and final LB. With Baylor transitioning to a 3-4, they’ll more than likely add a 4th LB in certain situations. That will more than likely be Henry Black (3rd year starting, 24 Tackles, 3 Sacks in 2018). But more players need to step up before Baylor’s LB unit is considered the top half of the conference.
5: TCU Horned Frogs
Ty Summers was one of the most underrated LB’s in the entire Big 12. He’s gone now and the LB core will rely on Garret Wallow. Wallow actually had a better season a year ago. After being sidelined for just about all of 2018, Montreal Wilson had a very good season where he started 12 games and finished with 61 tackles.
If he can stay healthy, these 2 could complete the defense. If not, there could be some exposed voids and this unit takes a hit because of it.
4: Texas Longhorns
Jeffrey McCulloch is the lone returning starter as the talent at the position is not the problem. Former high 4 star Joseph Ossai is a Sophomore and will get to start this season and incoming 4 star freshman Ayodele Adeoye will be taking the other 2 spots. The question marks come from the fact that Ossai only has 7 starts and Ayodele hasn’t played a down in college.
The front 7 is the question mark to Texas’s defense. McCulloch only has 65 tackles in his 3 year career, so he hasn’t had a ton of production. This spot might be a bit too high, but for how good Texas should be all over defense, I’ll put them here for now.
3: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Although the Cowboys struggle up front, they thrive in the linebacking core. Calvin Bundage is an All-Big 12 talent and should be a first teamer by the end of the season. Junior Amen Ogbongbemiga is the next notable linebacker with 14 games played in the last 2 years.
Something Oklahoma State has a lot of is depth behind the starting 2, with Senior Kevin Henry and Junior Devin Harper needing to sub in. Both have been in the program for 3 years, so the understanding of the defense should be pretty clear with those two. If Oklahoma State wants a top of the conference defense, the Linebacker play will be the reason behind it.
2: Iowa State Cyclones
Senior Captain Marcel Spears is the clear headliner of the defense and will anchor Middle Linebacker. Mike Rose returns as the leading tackler of this Cyclones team with 75 a year ago and 9 TFL after a outstanding freshman season. Jake Hummel will play Weak Side Linebacker. The depth behind them isn’t near as good as Oklahoma State’s, but the starting core is among the best in the conference.
1: Oklahoma Sooners
Kenneth Murray displayed his true potential against Army when he recorded 28 tackles in the win. Mark Jackson Jr. had to sit behind Curtis Bolton a season ago. Curtis Bolton prior to his big senior season, had just 16 tackles. Ended up being 142 tackles just in that final season.
Jackson could do that very same thing. Murray is a high draft pick and has other aspirations after OU. This unit could be just as good as last year if White or Jackson could have that outbreak similar to Curtis Bolton.
