We’re continuing our preseason previews for the 2025 college football season, and that means it’s time to rank the Big 12 linebacker units. As usual, our four-person panel—Caleb, Craig, Matt, and Zack—voted individually, assigning points to each team from 16 (best) down to 1 (worst). The final rankings are the cumulative total of those scores. Unlike our defensive line rankings, there were no unanimous picks this time around, but we came close—most notably at the bottom, where Arizona nearly settled in unanimously at No. 16. There were also a handful of teams where our ballots landed fairly close together, such as Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Baylor, all of whom received multiple top-three votes.
On the flip side, there were some wild discrepancies. Oklahoma State, for instance, landed as high as No. 6 on one ballot and as low as No. 15 on another, reflecting both the promise of its transfer class and the uncertainty that comes with replacing NFL talent. The same can be said for Houston, which finished dead last in one set of rankings and squarely in the middle in another—proof that the lack of returning production left some of us hesitant, while others are intrigued by the unknowns.
You can scroll to the bottom of the page to see how each of us ranked all 16 linebacker units individually. And whether you agree, disagree, or just want to argue about it on social media, we’re glad you’re here for the ride. Let’s get into the list.
Heartland Sports Consensus Big 12 Linebacker Rankings
| RANKING | POINTS |
|---|---|
| 1. Texas Tech | 62 |
| 2. Kansas State | 60 |
| 3. Baylor | 54 |
| 4. Utah | 50 |
| 5. BYU | 48 |
| 6. Arizona State | 44. |
| 7. TCU | 37 |
| 8. Cincinnati | 31 |
| 9. Iowa State | 30 |
| 10. Kansas | 26 |
| 11. Oklahoma State | 24 |
| 12. Colorado | 21 |
| 13. Houston | 20 |
| 14. West Virginia | 14 |
| 15. UCF | 13 |
| 16. Arizona | 5 |
Individual Rankings
Caleb
1. Kansas State | The Wildcats return the highest-graded linebacker in the Power Four from last season in junior Austin Romaine alongside redshirt senior Desmond Purnell, who was fifth among all FBS linebackers with 30 pressures last year. The wildcats linebacker unit should be one of the best in the country.
2. Texas Tech | The Red Raider linebacker unit will be one of the most experienced groups in the country with players like Jacob Rodriguez, Ben Roberts, and Bryce Ramirez leading the group with a good amount of transfers and promising underclass depth shouldnt be a problem.
3.Utah | The Utes linebacker unit is expected to be a strength in the 2025 season, with a mix of experienced players like Lander Barton and Levani Damuni, Johnathan Hall and Trey Reynolds with a lot of young talent waiting to show out.
4. TCU
5. Baylor
6.BYU
7. Houston
8. Arizona State
9. West Virginia
10. Colorado
11. Iowa State
12. UCF
13. Cincinnati
14.Kansas
15. Oklahoma State | The Cowboys have to replace some big stars after losing Oliver and Martin, with a new DC and a lot of new faces to that linebacker room the expectations for the cowboys linebacker room should be low.
16. Arizona | The wildcats linebackers were not a strength for their defense last season and without adding a big fish out of the portal the wildcats LB room should be hanging out around the bottom of the big 12.
Craig
1. Kansas State | The Wildcats linebacker group will be led by returning starter Austin Romaine. Last year he was the highest graded linebacker in the power four conferences. He will be assisted by another returning starter in Desmond Purnell. This duo won’t only be one of the most experienced and talented in the Big 12, but also in all of college football.
2. Texas Tech | The Red Raiders were fortunate enough to keep Jacob Rodriguez away from the NFL draft. He recorded 127 tackles in 2024. Guys like Ben Roberts and Bryce Ramirez will also contribute heavily in this defense.
3. Baylor | Keaton Thomas is easily one of the most talented linebackers in college football. He will be returning for the Bears after earning First Team All-Big 12 honors last season. Baylor also got a significant pickup through the portal in Travion Barnes.
4. Arizona State
5. BYU
6. Oklahoma State
7. Kansas
8. Utah
9. Cincinnati
10. Iowa State
11. TCU
12. Colorado
13. West Virginia
14. Houston
15. UCF | The Knights may have some talented guys at the linebacker position, but they’re not proven at all. The top four guys expected to contribute to the defense are all incoming transfers. It’s going to take a lot of work to get this group ready for Big 12 offenses.
16. Arizona | The Wildcats are in a similar position as UCF where they’ll be relying on a lot of new additions to the team. Taye Brown will be their only returning player with any significant time on the playing field.
Matt
1. Texas Tech | The Red Raiders enter the 2025 season with one of the Big 12’s most reliable linebacker groups, anchored by the experienced duo of Jacob Rodriguez and Ben Roberts, who combined for an impressive 210 tackles a year ago. Rodriguez led the team and the conference with 127 tackles, while Roberts added a steady 83, making them the top two tacklers on the roster. The Red Raiders bolstered their depth with transfer John Curry, who quietly contributed 35 tackles last season and now figures to play a significant role following the season-ending injury to Jesiah Horne. Rodriguez’s return might be one of the most important developments for the entire defense, as Texas Tech leans on his leadership and playmaking ability to stabilize a position group that has star power but will rely on a tight rotation.
2. Utah | The Utes’ linebacker corps enters the 2025 season as one of the most experienced and well-rounded units in college football, anchored by veteran leaders Lander Barton and Levani Damuni. Despite losing standout Karene Reid and battling through injuries in 2024, the Utes benefited from key players gaining valuable in-game reps, which has resulted in a deeper, more battle-tested group. Rising talent Johnathan Hall joins Barton and Damuni to form a formidable trio, while Trey Reynolds and redshirt freshman Kana’i Lopes round out a solid rotation that gives Utah legitimate four-deep confidence. Under the guidance of elite position coach Colton Swan, this linebacker unit is expected to be the backbone of a physical, aggressive Utah defense in 2025.
3. Kansas State | Kansas State’s linebacker unit enters 2025 with the potential to take a major leap, thanks to returning production and upgraded depth. Austin Romaine is back to anchor the middle after leading the team with 96 tackles last season, while Desmond Purnell adds disruptive playmaking on the outside with four sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. The addition of Gabe Powers, a transfer from Ohio State, and the versatile Rex Van Wyhe gives the Wildcats a hybrid presence that enhances both their pass coverage and run defense. While the group wasn’t a glaring weakness in 2024, it now has the talent and experience to evolve into one of the more dynamic linebacker corps in the Big 12.
4. Baylor
5. BYU
6. Arizona State
7. TCU
8. Cincinnati
9. Iowa State
10. Kansas
11. Houston
12. Colorado
13. Oklahoma State
14. UCF
15. West Virginia | The Mountaineers head into the 2025 season with a retooled linebacker unit that blends returning experience with promising new talent. Ben Cutter and Reid Carrico provide continuity from last year’s roster, while a group of incoming transfers has been brought in to elevate the position and add depth. After an up-and-down defensive showing in 2024, the Mountaineers are placing a strong emphasis on improving the heart of their defense, and the linebacker corps is at the center of that plan. With a renewed focus and an upgraded rotation, West Virginia’s coaching staff believes this group can help anchor a more consistent and competitive defense this fall.
16. Arizona | Arizona’s linebacker unit is entering the 2025 season with renewed energy under new position coach Josh Bringuel, a former player under defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales. Though injuries shortened his own playing career, Bringuel’s deep understanding of the system and passion for coaching have quickly earned the trust of his players. He’s focused on instilling a mindset of “dominant contact,” demanding physicality and relentless effort from his linebackers. Junior Taye Brown, who notched 69 tackles last year, has emerged as a vocal leader in the room, embracing Bringuel’s high-energy style and vision. Alongside him is Max Harris, a senior transfer from Texas State who brings a different skill set and is eager to contribute in what could become a three-linebacker set. Both players highlight the group’s diversity and intensity, and with strong buy-in across the board, this unit is shaping up to be one of the more dynamic and physical position groups on Arizona’s defense in 2025.
Zack
1. Texas Tech | Jacob Rodriguez is the Big 12’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and Ben Roberts brings in a ton of experience with 25 starts through his first two seasons.
2. Baylor | The Bears are stacked at the linebacker position by way of returning experience and the transfer portal. Keaton Thomas returns as Baylor’s top tackler, and Travion Barnes—a transfer from Florida International—was Conference USA’s Defensive Player of the Year last year.
3. Kansas State | Austin Romaine—last year’s tackle leader for the Wildcats—is a Preseason All-Big 12 pick, and Desmond Purnell has a ton of experience, starting every game for the last two seasons.
4. BYU
5. Utah
6. Arizona State
7. Cincinnati
8. Iowa State
9. TCU
10. Oklahoma State
11. Kansas
12. West Virginia
13. Colorado
14. UCF
15. Arizona | The Wildcats don’t have a lot of experience in this group, so who knows how good they can actually be, but for now, that issue is setting expectations pretty low.
16. Houston | As of right now, the starting linebackers for the Cougars —Jesus Machado and Corey Platt Jr.—both missed last season due to injury. Behind them are a bunch of guys with varying experience but not a lot of starts in their careers. It’s hard to gauge just how good (or bad) this group will be.
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