Jack Follman’s Pac-12 Linebacker Unit Rankings

The parity of this 2021 LB group makes it one of the most difficult to rank

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Posted on June 12, 2021


  By Jack Follman, SuperWest Sports

This is one of the hardest groups to rank because it’s so even.

There’s so many teams that have two really good linebackers, but then no real other standouts; teams that have one great linebacker, but not much else; then groups that have a group of solid-but-unremarkable linebackers.

So, keep in mind I think the first 10 groups are all pretty even.

Also, keep in mind that I know the difference between DE, Edge and Linebacker, and I do my best to group them how I think they traditionally are for simplicity.

1. Arizona State

Merlin Robertson | Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Linebackers: Merlin Robertson, Darrien Butler, Kyle Soelle, Jordan Banks, Will Shaffer

The one-two punch of Robertson and Butler is scary.

They’ve been tearing up the Pac-12 for years now, and I think they will be even better in another season under Herm Edwards and Antonio Pierce.

They just need a third linebacker to step up.

2. Cal

Kuony Deng | Al Sermeno for Cal Athletics

Linebackers: Cameron Goode, Kuony Deng, Evan Tattersall, Muela Iosefa, Orin Patu

Justin Wilcox has produced great linebacker group after great linebacker group, and this one got the score of all scores when Goode and Deng came back for an extra senior year.

Both are stellar players who could grab the third First-Team All-Pac-12 spot.

The rest of the group is solid depth but they could use a clear great third linebacker too.

3. Utah

Linebackers: Devin Lloyd, Nephi Sewell, Mason Tufaga, Ethan Calvert, Trey Reynolds

This ranking is all about Lloyd, the best linebacker in the Conference, and how well Utah has developed and adapted at the linebacker position.

Nephi Sewell is also a great Number Two. They just need depth to step up.

4. Oregon State

Linebackers: Avery Roberts, Omar Speights, Andrzej Hughes-Murray, Riley Sharp, Addison Gumbs

The Beavers have a really good unit that could easily be the best in the Conference.

Roberts and Speights are two of the best in the Pac-12, and both are tackling machines.

OSU might have the best Number Three linebacker in the league, and great depth with veteran Hughes-Murray in the fold as well.

5. UCLA

Linebackers: Caleb Johnson, Mitchell Agude, Bo Calvert, Carl Jones, Jordan Genmark Heath

This ranking is all about the explosive and underrated duo of Johnson and Agude.

They’re two of the highest-rated linebackers from last season, and I like their playmaking abilities.

Calvert also provides nice Number-Three depth.

6. Colorado

Linebackers: Nate Landman, Carson Wells, Quinn Perry, Robert Barnes, Thomas Guy

Another one that is all about the top two players.

Landman was one of the Pac-12’s best linebackers the past two seasons and they got a big break getting him back for another season.

Wells is also an All-Pac-12 player. The unit lacks proven depth, though.

7. USC

Linebackers: Drake Jackson, Kana’i Mauga, Jordan Iosefa, Ralen Goforth, Hunter Echols

This group is ranked a lot on Jackson bouncing back to 2019 form as a true linebacker, and Mauga following up on how he closed the season.

The rest of the depth has a lot to prove as well.

8. Oregon

Linebackers: Noah Sewell, Isaac Slade-Matautia, Adrian Jackson, Mase Funa, Dru Mathis, Justin Flowe

Before you freak out Oregon fans, I note that this group could be way higher than this once the season gets going, but the truth is they didn’t play super well by any metric in 2020.

Sewell could be the only true superstar linebacker in the Conference very soon, and fellow ultra five-star second-year LB Flowe, who was injured in 2020, could be the same.

ISM, Jackson and Funa provide nice experienced depth.

9. Washington

Linebackers: Edefuan Ulofoshio, Jackson Sirmon, Sav’ell Smalls, Bralen Trice, Alphonzo Tuputala, MJ Tafisi

Ulofoshio is probably the second-best linebacker in the Conference, but the rest of the group is a bit of a question mark.

The biggest wild card is Smalls, a Class of 2020 five-star recruit who flashed in 2020, but was overshadowed by Zion Tupuola-Fetui, who literally beat him to sacks.