Top 10 Big Ten Linebackers Entering the 2026 Season

The Big Ten linebacker landscape looks significantly different entering 2026. Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Aiden Fisher, Bryce Boettcher, Ernest Hausmann and Jaishawn Barham are among the established names no longer playing in the conference.

Their departures created opportunities for returning veterans, productive transfers and several young defenders ready to become stars. Indiana returns two key linebackers from its national championship defense, while Nebraska added one of the most productive transfers in the country.

These rankings focus primarily on off-ball linebackers. Previous production, positional versatility, consistency, health and projected 2026 impact were all considered.

10. Jordan Hall, Michigan State

Jordan Hall has quietly developed into one of the Big Ten’s most experienced linebackers.

The Michigan State veteran enters 2026 with 179 career tackles, 13 tackles for loss, seven sacks, four forced fumbles, four pass breakups and one interception. He has appeared in 35 games and made 19 starts, including 12 during the 2025 season.

Hall recorded 47 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception last year. His ability to create turnovers provides valuable production for a Michigan State defense attempting to become more consistent.

At 6-foot-3 and nearly 250 pounds, Hall possesses excellent size for an off-ball linebacker. He can attack downhill, take on blockers and contribute as a blitzer.

Michigan State’s struggles have prevented Hall from receiving significant national attention. If the Spartans improve around him, his combination of size, experience and production could place him in the All-Big Ten conversation.

Jordan Hall LB #5 MSU – 2026 Watchlist

9. Payton Pierce, Ohio State

Payton Pierce enters 2026 facing the difficult assignment of helping Ohio State replace Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese.

Pierce served as Ohio State’s third linebacker in 2025 and recorded 43 tackles despite playing behind two NFL-caliber starters. He also intercepted a pass against Illinois, forced a fumble against Miami and recovered another fumble in the College Football Playoff.

The 6-foot-2, 223-pound junior was an outstanding high school wrestler, and that background remains visible in his tackling. Pierce understands leverage, keeps a strong base and rarely allows ball carriers to escape once he gets his hands on them.

He has not yet demonstrated the game-changing production of the players ranked above him. However, his expanded role should provide considerably more opportunities.

Ohio State does not need Pierce to become Styles immediately. It needs him to communicate effectively, tackle consistently and prevent breakdowns. His physical style and experience make him a strong candidate for a breakout season.

Payton Pierce highlights vs Minnesota (2025)

8. Jacob Manu, Washington

Jacob Manu enters 2026 attempting to reestablish himself as one of the Big Ten’s best linebackers after injuries disrupted his previous two seasons.

Manu was outstanding at Arizona in 2023, leading the Pac-12 with 116 tackles while recording 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and an interception. He earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and appeared positioned to become one of the country’s top linebackers.

Injuries limited him to seven games in 2024 and affected his first season at Washington. He recorded only 13 solo tackles in 2025 and never completely regained the form he displayed at Arizona.

A healthy Manu remains a dangerous defender. He diagnoses plays quickly, attacks downhill and possesses excellent instincts despite standing approximately 5-foot-9.

This ranking contains considerable projection. If Manu remains healthy, his previous production demonstrates that he can become an All-Big Ten linebacker. If the injury problems continue, Washington will need to find another defensive leader.

Wired with Jacob Manu

7. Caleb Bacon, Penn State

Caleb Bacon gives Penn State an experienced, physical linebacker capable of immediately stabilizing the middle of its defense.

Bacon transferred from Iowa State after recording 68 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2025. He started all 12 games and served as a team captain

His journey from walk-on to major-conference starter demonstrates the toughness and persistence he brings to the position. Bacon is particularly effective when attacking downhill, filling interior rushing lanes and taking on pulling offensive linemen.

At 6-foot-4 and approximately 240 pounds, Bacon provides the size Penn State needs in the middle. His coverage ability will be tested against the Big Ten’s athletic tight ends and running backs.

Bacon may not be the conference’s fastest linebacker, but his experience, intelligence and physicality should make him one of Penn State’s most dependable defenders.

Penn State LB Caleb Bacon talks spring camp, atmosphere at Blue-White practice

6. Maverick Baranowski, Minnesota

Maverick Baranowski was the centerpiece of Minnesota’s defense during his first season as a full-time starter.

Baranowski led the Golden Gophers with 86 tackles while adding eight tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. He played 610 defensive snaps and earned a 76.6 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, the second-highest mark on Minnesota’s defense among players with at least 50 snaps.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior is a disciplined, physical defender who rarely takes himself out of position. He does not need a complicated blitz package to affect the running game because he reads blocking schemes well and arrives under control.

Baranowski must create more negative plays to move into the top five. However, his consistency and experience make him one of the conference’s safest linebacker projections.

Minnesota’s defense will again revolve around its leading tackler.

Maverick Baranowski Makes 17 Tackles in 2025 Rate Bowl

5. Daniel Wingate, Maryland

Daniel Wingate has developed into one of the Big Ten’s most productive and underrated linebackers.

The Maryland captain recorded 102 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception in 2025. He returned the interception for a touchdown and served as the defensive communicator while leading a young Maryland unit.

Wingate has accumulated 152 tackles and 13 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. At 6-foot-5 and approximately 230 pounds, he possesses unusual length for an off-ball linebacker. That reach helps him disrupt passing lanes, finish tackles and compensate when he is initially caught out of position.

Wingate is most comfortable working downhill or playing zone coverage, where he can read the quarterback and react. He may not possess elite sideline-to-sideline speed, but his instincts and length consistently place him near the football.

Maryland’s record could limit Wingate’s recognition, but his production belongs among the conference’s best.

Daniel Wingate – Maryland | 2025 Highlights

4. Mason Posa, Wisconsin

Mason Posa was one of the few bright spots during Wisconsin’s difficult 2025 season.

The former highly regarded recruit earned an immediate role as a true freshman and recorded 61 tackles, four tackles for loss and four sacks. Those numbers were impressive considering his age and the instability surrounding Wisconsin’s defense.

At 6-foot-3 and approximately 230 pounds, Posa already possesses the size needed to compete in the Big Ten. He attacks the line of scrimmage aggressively, tackles with power and has demonstrated the ability to pressure quarterbacks as a blitzer.

The next step is improving in coverage and becoming more consistent with his reads. Young linebackers frequently rely on athleticism, but the conference’s best offenses will use misdirection and play-action to test Posa’s discipline.

This ranking is partly a projection, but his freshman performance supports it. If Posa makes the expected second-year improvement, he could become Wisconsin’s next great linebacker.

Wisconsin Football: (WI)red with Mason Posa

3. Isaiah Jones, Indiana

Isaiah Jones was technically Indiana’s third linebacker in total snaps during the 2025 national championship season. His production suggested he was capable of handling a much larger role.

Jones recorded 78 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and an interception. He earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition from the conference media.

His versatility makes him particularly valuable in Indiana’s defensive system. Jones can play inside, pressure quarterbacks from the edge or disguise his assignment before the snap. That flexibility allows the Hoosiers to present several defensive looks without substituting personnel.

Indiana lost leading tackler Aiden Fisher to the NFL, meaning Jones will become one of the defense’s primary leaders alongside Rolijah Hardy.

The increased responsibility will test his consistency, especially when opponents direct additional blockers toward him. However, Jones has improved every season in Bloomington.

Another year approaching 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks would place him firmly in the All-America discussion.

Spotlighting Isaiah Jones | Indiana Football | The Journey

2. Owen Chambliss, Nebraska

Owen Chambliss has not played a Big Ten snap, but his 2025 performance at San Diego State makes him one of the conference’s most important transfers.

Chambliss recorded 110 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and an interception. Pro Football Focus gave him an 85.5 overall grade, including an 81.4 run-defense grade and an 85.2 coverage grade.

Those numbers demonstrate that Chambliss is more than a traditional tackling machine. He can play downhill, cover in space and pressure quarterbacks without becoming a liability in another area.

Nebraska needs that versatility after rebuilding portions of its defense. Chambliss should become the unit’s primary communicator and one of its most dependable tacklers.

The transition from the Mountain West to a nine-game Big Ten schedule should not be dismissed. The offensive linemen will be larger, and the weekly physical demands will increase.

Still, Chambliss’ instincts, athleticism and proven production make him the conference’s best transfer linebacker.

Nebraska Football LB Owen Chambliss meets with the media on Saturday I GBR

1. Rolijah Hardy, Indiana

Rolijah Hardy enters 2026 as the best linebacker in the Big Ten.

Hardy started all 16 games during Indiana’s undefeated national championship season and recorded 103 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two interceptions and five pass breakups. He earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition from both the coaches and media.

At 5-foot-11 and approximately 227 pounds, Hardy is not the conference’s biggest linebacker. He compensates with instincts, acceleration and outstanding tackling technique.

Hardy can cover from sideline to sideline, attack as a blitzer or step into an interior rushing lane. His 8.5 sacks demonstrate how effectively Indiana uses him to create pressure.

With Aiden Fisher gone, Hardy must become the leader of the defense. Everything he displayed during the championship run suggests he is ready for that responsibility.

Rolijah Hardy spring availability: April 7, 2026

Final 2026 Big Ten Linebacker Rankings

1. Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
2. Owen Chambliss, Nebraska
3. Isaiah Jones, Indiana
4. Mason Posa, Wisconsin
5. Daniel Wingate, Maryland
6. Maverick Baranowski, Minnesota
7. Caleb Bacon, Penn State
8. Jacob Manu, Washington
9. Payton Pierce, Ohio State
10. Jordan Hall, Michigan State