As football season inches closer, we continued our rankings of the position rooms across the Lone Star State with a look at linebacker. Linebacker is another tough spot to rank as a position unit because not everyone plays with the same number of linebackers. Some defenses in Texas run a 4-2-5 that only fields two linebackers on most plays. Others run a 3-4 or a 3-3 stack. 

Previous rankings: QB | RB | WR/TE | OL | DL |

TOP 5 

1. TCU HORNED FROGS 

The players: WLB Johnny Hodges, MLB Jamoi Hodge, SLB Namdi Obiazor 

The loss of Dee Winters won’t keep the Horned Frogs from fielding a championship level linebacker core in 2023. Hodges, a Navy transfer prior to the 2022 season, enters this year as a preseason All-Big 12 selection. Hodge is one of the more physically imposing linebackers in the entire Big 12 and is great against the run. The wildcard is Obiazor, but the coaches have raved about his progress after a position switch from safety. Shadrach Banks and Marcel Brooks are athletic, high-upside reserves when healthy. 

2. TEXAS LONGHORNS 

The players: MLB Jaylan Ford, WLB David Gbenda, LB Anthony Hill

The presence of Ford – the DCTF Top Linebacker in Texas for 2023 – provides the Longhorns with a star in the middle of an improving defense. His maturation in 2022 unlocked the Longhorns defense and most feel as if he was robbed of the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award. He enters the season as the Preseason pick for DPOY. His running mate is a larger concern on the 40 Acres. Gbenda and Maurice Blackwell have experience. Young guns like Hill and Liona Lefau are waiting in the wings. 

3. UTSA ROADRUNNERS 

The players: WLB Trey Moore, JACK Jamal Ligon, SLB Donyai Taylor 

The Roadrunners return their leading tackler (Ligon) and best pass rusher (Moore) to the second level of a talented 3-4 defense. The trio of Moore, Ligon, and Taylor combined for 175 stops. Replacing Trevor Harmanson at middle linebacker is the only true concern, but Avery Morris is an experienced player who recorded 31 tackles over 14 games in 2022. Even the primary backups in San Antonio are upperclassmen with multiple years in the UTSA defensive system. 

4. BAYLOR BEARS

The players: MLB Mike Smith, WLB Matt Jones, JACK Byron Vaughns 

The Baylor coaching staff is excited about the upside at linebacker despite the loss of Dillon Doyle after last year. Smith, a Liberty transfer with over 300 collegiate tackles, became an instant leader and sure-fire starter with an impressive spring. Jones is an experienced player with an understanding of the defensive schemes. Vaughns, who might be considered a defensive lineman, is an edge player who can get after the quarterback and help chase down outside runs and screens. 

5. SAM HOUSTON BEARKATS 

The players: MLB Trevor Williams, MLB Kavian Gaither, WLB Sincere Jackson, WLB Jaylen Phillips

The strength of the Sam Houston defense is at the linebacker position. Williams returns to the unit after redshirting the final five games of the 2022 season to retain one more year of eligibility to use at the FBS ranks. In his stead, Gaither became a playmaker that’ll be hard to keep off the field. Jackson and Phillips are two more players with experience and all-conference talent. Sure, the Bearkats might be as talented on paper as A&M or Texas Tech, but they bring back proven commodities who stack up well next to their conference peers. 

BEST OF THE REST

6. TEXAS A&M AGGIES 
7. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS
8. UTEP MINERS
9. HOUSTON COUGARS
10. SMU MUSTANGS
11. RICE OWLS
12. NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN
13. TEXAS STATE BOBCATS