Top 5 Linebackers of the 2025-2026 College Football Season 

In the upcoming college football season, we can to see some excellent play at the linebacker position. This year, there are many talented linebackers across the country who can change the tide of a game.

Here are the top 5 linebackers of the 2025+2026 college football season. Check out the stats of these top linebackers below and use 888starz to place your bets 

5. Jack Kelly: BYU

Jack Kelly of BYU starts of the top 5 linebackers of the 2025-2026 college football season at #5. Last year, BYU had one of the top scoring defenses in the Big 12 conference.

Kelly played a huge role on that defense with his physicality and pass coverage skills. He led the team with 10 tackles for losses and two forced fumbles.

If Kelly continues his impressive play this year, BYU could be playing for the conference title.

4. Barrett Carter: Clemson

Barrett Carter may be undersized, but his aggressiveness and athleticism more than make up for it. Last year, Clemson one of their best seasons in years and Carter played a huge factor on.defense.

During the season, Barrett recorded 82 tackles, broke up seven passes, and had 3.5 sacks. His well-rounded skills earned him a 80-plus PFF grades in pass rushing.

Barrett’s impressive play puts him at #4 on the top 5 linebackers of the 2025-2026 college football season.

3. Harold Perkins Jr: LSU

Next up on the top 5 linebackers of the 2025-2026 season, we have LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr. The former 5-star recruit has lived up to the hype and added more talent to the LSU defense.

Perkins Jr. Is a dynamic defender who can rush the edge or drop back in coverage. Last year, he recorded 10.5 sacks and 14 tackles for losses, which led a stacked defense.

Harold suffered an injury during the off-season, but his athletic profile keeps him a top linebacker.

2. Whit Weeks: LSU

Perkins Jr’s teammate Whit Weeks is the other part of the two-headed monster on LSU‘s defense. If Perkins Jr. didn’t make the play, then it was likely Weeks.

Whit led the SEC last season with 61 solo tackles, as well as 10 tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks. Just like his teammate, Weeks suffered am ankle injury late last season.

However, the top linebacker assured the media that he’s healthy and ready to make a splash.

1. Anthony Hill Jr: Texas

The #1 spot on the top 5 linebackers of the 2025-2026 season goes to Texas’s Anthony Hill Jr. Since Hill’s 2023 freshman year, he has terrorized the SEC.

Since his debut, Anthony has led Power Four linebackers with 127 plays making first contact on ball carriers. He is also tied for coverage stops(32), sacks(10), and forced fumbles(5).

Hill Jr’s ability to excel at rush defense, pass rushing, and coverage makes him a standout talent. Texas will need him if they hope to make another CFB playoff appearance.