The B1G is always known for their hard-nosed defenses. And who better to highlight that toughness than the guys in the middle? These are the Top 15 LBs in the B1G for 2019.
1. Paddy Fisher – Northwestern
Simply stated, Fisher is one of the best linebackers in all of college football. He is great vs the run and pass. Last season, he had 116 tackles, 1 sack, 5 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, 2 PBUs, and 1 int.
2. Joe Bachie – Michigan State
2018 Stats: 102 tackles, 1 sack, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 PBUs, and 1 int. Bachie is the leading returning tackler for the Spartans in 2019. He is physical and brings the boom when he makes a tackle.
3. Micah Parsons – Penn State
2018 Stats: 83 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and 5 QB hits. Parsons is the leading returning tackler for the Nittany Lions in 2019, and he was just a freshman in 2018. Based on pure talent and potential alone, Parsons has a highest upside of anyone on this list.
4. Markus Bailey – Purdue
2018 Stats: 115 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 2 PBUs, and 1 int. Bailey has been one of the best linebackers in college football the past few seasons. He’s the leading returning tackler for the Boilermakers in 2019. I watched a lot of Boilermaker football last season and can’t remember seeing Bailey miss a tackle. He does an excellent job at bringing the opposition to the ground once he gets his hands on them.
5. Blake Gallagher – Northwestern
Gallagher is the leading returning tackler for the Wildcats in 2019. Last season, he had 127 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 1 int. Gallagher and Paddy Fisher make for one of the best linebacker duos in college football.
6. Malik Harrison – Ohio State
Harrison had a big season in 2018. He had 81 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 int, and 4 pass breakups. He’s a sure tackler who did well in pass coverage, too.
7. Mohamed Barry – Nebraska
Barry is the leading returning tackler for the Cornhuskers in 2019. Not only is he an excellent tackler, he excels at diagnosing plays and getting in a great position to make a play. Last season, he had 112 tackles, 2 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 1 pass breakup.
8. Khaleke Hudson – Michigan
Hudson is a fast hybrid DB/LB who’s excellent in pass coverage. Last season Hudson had 44 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 3 QB hits. In 2017, at DB he had 77 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks.
9. Thomas Barber – Minnesota
Barber is the leading returning tackler for the Gophers in 2019. He’s a tackling machine and home grown product. Last season, he had 81 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, and 1 interception. In 2017, he had a huge season with 115 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 interception.
10. Isaiah Davis – Maryland
2018 Stats: 94 tackles, and 2 sacks. Davis is the leading returning tackler for the Terps. The senior is the leader of the defense and one of the best in the nation at finishing a tackle once he makes contact.
11. Jake Hansen – Illinois
Hansen is the leading returning tackler for the Illini in 2019. Last season, he had 95 tackles, 1 sack, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 1 PBU.
12. Zack Baun – Wisconsin
Year in and year out, the Badgers produce top level linebackers. The next to lead the way is senior Zack Baun. Baun is physically intimidating and can lay the boom. Last season, he had 63 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7.5 TFL, 1 int, and 8 QB hits.
13. Tuf Borland – Ohio State
2018 Stats: 67 tackles, 3 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 1 PBU. Borland had a breakout season in 2018. Being experienced heading into 2019, expect him to have an even bigger season.
14. Cam Brown – Penn State
2018 Stats: 63 tackles, 2 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups, and 5 QB hits. Brown is a player who has excellent size at 6’5″ 230 lbs. He uses his height to bat down passes and his quickness to get into the backfield.
15. Pete Werner – Ohio State
Werner had 58 tackles, 3 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 7 pass breakups last season. He was able to get into the backfield often and caused a ton of pressure on opposing QBs.
