As we continue our look at the best returning players for the Big XII, we move on to the linebackers. Like the defensive backs position that we previously previewed, the linebackers have undergone a transformation in modern-day college football. Some teams still use the old-school 4-3 alignment. Others have gone to a 3-4 scheme. In the last two years, we have seen more and more teams use a hybrid scheme that has a player as a fifth defensive back/extra linebacker. The terminology varies by team, but “stryker” is a common position name. For that reason, we did not designate the Best returning linebackers by Sam, Will, Mike, outside, inside, or any other characterization. We simply bring you the best Big XII linebackers returning for 2022. Here are our three.
The Big XII is not going to be known as the conference of elite linebackers. There are many other positions that will show up on the weekly highlight reels. Linebacker is not always going to be one of them. Still, there are some highly talented linebackers returning to the conference.
Best Big XII Linebackers Returning For 2022
3. Daniel Green/Kansas State
Green came into his own in a big way in 2021. He started in 12 games and played in all 13 for the Wildcats. He did this while learning a new scheme. Kansas State went all in the hybrid defense last season, running a 3-3-5, and even a 3-2-6 sometimes.
The results for Green; a team-leading 89 tackles, 69 of them being solo. He had a huge 16 tackles for loss to go with three sacks. His 5.3 solo tackle average per game ranked him fourth in the conference and 18th in the country. He saved his best for last, with a game to remember against Texas in the regular-season finale. Green had 10 solo tackles and 11 in all against the Longhorns. He added another six tackles in the win over LSU in the Texas Bowl.
At 6-3, 242, he possesses great footwork and is very good at diagnosing the plays in front of him. That makes him a very efficient running back, prone to being where the ball is.
2. DaShaun White/Oklahoma
White looks the part of the middle linebacker. At 6-0, 225, he has good height, and a thick, athletic build. He works with good straight-line speed which makes him an impactful linebacker against the run game.
He is returning to Norman for a fifth year. In 2021 he started 12 games, with nine of them being in the middle. He accounted for 66 total tackles last season including 28 solos. He also had five tackles for loss. For his career, he has 169 total tackles including 13.5 tackles for loss and three-and-a-half sacks.
In the Alamo Bowl against Oregon, he showed great quickness to turn the corner on runs to the outside. Even though his primary strength is the straight ahead, his athleticism got him six tackles and a quarterback hurry against the Ducks.
White goes into 2022 having played 52 games already. He will finish his career in the top 10 of games played for OU linebackers.
1. DeMarvion Overshown/Texas Longhorns
Many in Austin expected the Longhorn hybrid to declare for the NFL’s 2022 draft. Instead, he will return to the Longhorns in the Fall for a fifth year.
Overshown is coming off a 2021 season where he had a team-leading 74 tackles with five-and-a-half for loss. Of the 74 stops, 38 were solo tackles. He also had two sacks and two fumble recoveries. Overshown started 11 games last year, missing the season finale against Kansas State with an injury. was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award.
Overshown is long at 6-4, 227 pounds, but he is freakishly athletic. He is explosive with long strides allowing hos to range from sideline to sideline. Overshown has great lateral footwork which allows him to shed blocks at the second level. He definitely is better in the pass rush than he is in the ground game. He some takes circuitous routes to the ball on rushing plays.
Texas has struggled with consistency at linebacker over the last couple of years. Much was expected of Luke Brockermeyer and little has been delivered. Overshown gives the Longhorns a consistently strong presence at the position.
He actually spent his first two years at Texas as a defensive back. Maybe he is the prototype for this kind of list that acknowledges the ever-evolving job of a college linebacker.
Honorable Mention-Orien Vance/Iowa State
Vance spent much of 2021 hampered by injuries. That was a large part of what compelled him to return for a fifth year with the Cyclones.
He played in nine games last year and finished the season with 36 total tackles. Nine of those came in Iowa State’s loss to Clemson in the Cheez-It Bowl.
We got a glimpse of his real ability in 2020. He had 70 tackles in a dozen games. He was also defensive MVP in the Cyclones’ win over Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl.
Round-up
The SEC, ACC, and Pac-12 have the top returning linebackers in the country for 2022. But the Big XII has a handful of high-end linebackers who are going to be difference makers for their team this season.
