Ranking The Best Big 12 Defensive Units: Linebacker
There’s a fairly clear hierarchy at defensive back and on the defensive line in the Big 12 — at least the top 2-3 units — but linebacker is a matter of taste and how you value potential vs proven performance. Texas, TCU, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State all have things to like though each group has an Achilles’ heel in terms of depth, experience or fit. So I’ll provide the candidates, you provide the rankings.
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TEXAS
Standout: Jaylan Ford
Underrated: Jett Bush
Wildcard: Anthony Hill
Ford is the best linebacker in the conference and was responsible for creating 7 turnovers last year while leading the Horns in tackles. Jaylan is carrying a lot of weight for an otherwise unproven unit. However, freshman Anthony Hill flashed elite game-wrecking ability throughout spring camp as a blitzer and pass rusher. Not of the “Oh, he will be good one day” variety but more of the “We have to scheme him on to the field immediately” variety. Hill still has a ways to go as a traditional linebacker, but he could be the Longhorn version of LSU’s Harold Perkins as a freshman, a point and fire agent of mayhem.
Jett Bush had a very good Spring game and is much more comfortable back at his true position for the 2nd straight year. Whether spelling Ford or teaming up with him in certain looks, he’s a nice role player and underrated by Texas fans. David Gbenda is also an important depth or situational piece and he needs to show some progress as a run diagnostician. Morice Blackwell rounds out the unit along with several freshmen. Blackwell is a willing tackler, but he is smallish and lacks elite quickness given his size.
TCU
Standout: Johnny Hodges
Underrated: Jamoi Hodge
Wildcard: Namdi Obiazor
Hodges was good last year as TCU’s traditional linebacker who patrols between the tackles and cleans up the messes created by Gillespie’s stunts. The Navy transfer was a pleasant surprise all around. 6-2, 245 Jamoi Hodge is an explosive and violent hitter who will take over the Dee Winters interior blitzer and mayhem role. He also has a knack for KO’ing opposing QBs – within or outside of the rules. Finally, Obiazor is their coverage linebacker and the 6-3, 210 athlete notched 49 tackles last year as a key reserve. Depth is good and includes former highly regarded recruits Shad Banks and Marcel Brooks.
OKLAHOMA
Standout: Dasan McCullough
Underrated: None
Wildcard: Jaren Kanak
Oklahoma has two new starters to revamp what was a sluggish linebacker corps last year. Danny Stutsman returns after the leading the Sooners in tackles in 2022. He’s on several preseason All Big 12 teams, but from my viewing that may be a function of name familiarity and stat accumulation rather than game impact. Sooner coaches are happy with the athleticism injected by new starters Jaren Kanak (10.37 100 meters in HS) and Dasan McCullough from Indiana, a wiry 6-5, 225 pound greyhound. McCullough is said to be outstanding in coverage and as a blitzer. They considerably upgraded 2nd level athleticism from last year and that will give Venables much more flexibility in coverage and running stunts.
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Physicality and depth may be a question mark, but we’ll see.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Standout: Collin Oliver
Underrated: Xavier Benson
Wildcard: Justin Wright
Collin Oliver moves to linebacker from the edge, but he’ll still be deployed primarily as a pass rusher and disruptor, even when lined up off of the ball. He’s very good at it, having compiled 16.5 sacks over the last two seasons. Xavier Benson is an experienced interior run stopper while Tulsa transfer Justin Wright may hold the key to the unit’s physical upside. He led Tulsa in tackles for multiple seasons and the 245 pounder could bring some much needed brawn that the Cowboys lacked on defense. He’ll have to beat out young Nick Martin for the MLB spot. Oklahoma State is on their third defense in three years, so there will be some growing pains early. A creampuff schedule will help ameliorate that.
KANSAS STATE
Standout: Austin Moore
Underrated: Daniel Green
Wildcard: Desmond Purnell
220 pound former walk-on Austin Moore looks like the Wildcats grabbed the most athletic frat guy from the intramural fields, but he has outstanding instincts and led the Cats in tackles last year. Just a natural football player. Daniel Green is an imposing contrast as a jacked 6-3, 245 pound middle linebacker. The 6th year senior has been playing at KSU forever (28.5 career tackles for loss) and he’ll create some stability for a defense that saw major talent turnover up front and on the back end. Finally, Desmond Purnell rounds out the starters and he is undersized with coverage ability. The Cats don’t have elite talent, but this group is very capable and will have be a mainstay until the secondary and defensive line find their sea legs.
The rest of the league has some good individual players, but those are the top 5 units. How do you see them?
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