Ranking the Big Ten: Inside Linebacker
As the 2022 college football season quickly approaches, it is time to look at the top players in the Big Ten Conference.
We continue our Ranking the Big Ten series by rating the top five returning inside linebackers in the conference.
Related: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | Edge | DL | OLB |
1. Jack Campbell, Iowa
Iowa’s Jack Campbell is the top returning inside linebacker in the Big Ten, a conference that lost five of its top linebackers from the 2021 season to the NFL. The 2021 First-Team All-Big Ten media selection didn’t even make this Ranking the Big Ten list in 2020 due to the depth of the position in the conference.
The 6-foot-5, 243-pound linebacker had the highest overall defensive grade of the returning Big Ten linebackers but was ranked fifth in the 2021 season with a 71.7 grade. Campbell’s tackle grade of 85.7 was second in the league behind Rutger’s Drew Singleton.
The 2022 Lindy’s preseason First-Team All-Big Ten selection ranked second to Northwestern’s Chris Bergin with 84 tackles and came behind Wisconsin’s Leo Chenal to rank No. 2 in the conference regular season with 49 stops.
Campbell received the most preseason awards on this list by far. He was named Lindy’s 2022 preseason Second-Team All-American, Preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and No. 4 inside linebacker in the 2023 NFL Draft Bible sneak peek.
2. Junior Colson, Michigan
Michigan has one of the best freshmen in the country in 2021 as Junior Colson was named a freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound linebacker started seven games and appeared in all 14 during his first season as a Wolverine. He finished with 61 tackles, three pass break ups, a fumble recovery, a shared tackle for loss, a shared sack and three quarterback hurries.
Colson, who scored a 48.5 overall defense grade, has room to improve but few are perfect as a freshman. His 76.6 tackle grade, his highest grade, ranked ninth in the Big Ten amongst the linebackers.
With a huge freshman season added to his resume, Lindy’s selected Colson as a 2022 preseason First-Team All-Big Ten honoree and the nation’s No. 8 inside linebacker.
3. Luke Reimer, Nebraska
Husker junior inside linebacker Luke Reimer has the No. 1 coverage grade of all the returning Big Ten linebackers and in Power Five football. He ranked No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 4 in the Power Five in 2021 with an 82.9 grade.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound linebacker led the Big Ten and tied for second in the Power Five conferences with three forced fumbles. In the Big Ten, Reimer had the second most pass breakups (4), fourth-most tackles (76), and seventh-most stops (42).
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The 2021 All-Big Ten honorable mention by the league coaches and media was the first Husker in five years to be named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after a career-high 16 tackles against Buffalo and
Reimer, a 2022 preseason Second-Team All-Big Ten selection by Lindy’s, could continue to break records for the Huskers this upcoming season.
4. Steele Chambers, Ohio State
Ohio State’s Steele Chambers was a running back during his first two seasons as a Buckeye but transitioned to an inside linebacker before the 2021 season. The junior played in all 13 games, starting the last four.
The 6-foot-1, 232-pound linebacker recorded 42 tackles, 28 stops, one forced fumble, an interception and a pass breakup in 423 snaps. Chambers had a career-high eight tackles, five stops and a quarterback hit against Michigan.
The 2021 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention media selection had the fifth highest coverage grade in the Big Ten last season with a 75.6. His next highest grade, a 68.8 pass rush grade, ranked No. 17 in the league.
Chambers was selected by Lindy’s as on the 2022 Preseason All-Big Ten Third Team. With full offseason at inside linebacker and his experience from 2021, Chambers could have a break out season in the Big Ten.
5. Mariano Sori-Marin, Minnesota
Lastly, Golden Gopher Mariano Sori-Marin is entering his fifth season with Minnesota and now with one full season of starting experience, the inside linebacker is ready to do even more damage in the league.
The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Illinois native has played in 33 games and started seven over his four season with Minnesota. in 2021, he racked up 85 tackles with five tackles for loss, three pass break ups, two forces fumbles and one interceptions.
Sori-Marin, a 2021 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection, had a coverage grade of 71.6, eighth in the Big Ten. Lindy’s is expecting Sori-Marin to go out with a bang in his last season as they selected him on their All-Big Ten Third Team.
