The Big XII is set for a big 2023 College Football season with the addition of four new teams. The conference will also have one last season with Oklahoma and Texas before moving on to the SEC in 2024. This season will have several linebackers, who are star playmakers in the Big XII as well as players who could find themselves raising their NFL Draft stock significantly. Most of the top playmakers in the middle of the defense are fifth-year seniors. Their leadership and experience will be pivotal for their teams if they want to win the Big XII Conference title and a shot at the College Football Playoff. Here are the top five linebackers of the Big XII going into the 2023 College Football season.
Big XII’s Top Linebackers Returning in 2023
#5 – LB Austin Moore (Kansas State) – the small player with big impact
Size doesn’t always matter in college football. That has been evident in the efficient playmaking abilities of fifth-year senior linebacker Austin Moore from Kansas State, who measures in at 6-1, 219 pounds. Moore had a breakout year this past season for Kansas State by starting all 13 games. Moore accounted for 87 total tackles, 57 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery and two forced fumbles. Kansas State has Moore as one of the most experienced and fiery playmakers returning to the team. He will attempt to lead the defense and the team to its second consecutive Big XII title in 2023.
#4 – Edge Barryn Sorrell (Texas) – the disruptive jack linebacker
Among the returning starters from the front seven in the Big XII last season, Texas edge rusher Barryn Sorrell was among the most dynamic. There were packages that had him as a standup edge rusher at the line of scrimmage. There were also packages that had him as an outside linebacker in heavy packages. This past season was his breakout season as he accounted for 44 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, five-and-a-half sacks, and one forced fumble. He expects to have an even bigger season at jack linebacker in his second full season as a starter. Sorrell has the tools to be a consistent pass rusher in the Big XII against high-valued offensive tackles. His great combination of speed, strength, and athleticism will make him a problem this season.
#3 – LB/S Deshawn Pace (Cincinnati) – the hard-hitting defender joining the Big XII
What can make a player great is their willingness to accept multiple roles on a team. Cincinnati linebacker Deshawn Pace is a scary defender for opposing offenses to face. In his three seasons with the Bearcats, Pace has accumulated 167 total tackles, 79 solo tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, three pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. Pace looks to be a problem for the opposing offenses of the Big XII. Pace is a hard-hitting player that plays inside linebacker or safety. He can also make efficient open-field tackles and reads the quarterback’s eyes to make a decision on a play. Pace is currently a third-round projection for the 2024 NFL Draft, according to NFL Mock Draft Database.
#2 – LB Jaylan Ford (Texas) – the leader of a potential playoff defense
The Texas Longhorns had the second-ranked rush defense in the Big XII last season (allowing an average of 125.7). One of the biggest reasons was the emergence and leadership of Jaylan Ford. This past season, Ford had a career year with the Longhorns by accounting for 119 total tackles, 61 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. Overall, in his three years on the field, the fifth-year senior accumulated 186 total tackles, 95 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. Ford was all over the field for the Longhorns, providing support against the weak side of the opposing defense. The Longhorns can become serious College Football Playoff contenders if Ford leads the defense to an elite level.
#1 – LB Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma) – the most efficient linebacker since Kenneth Murray
The Oklahoma Sooners have seen several traditional inside linebackers go to be big stars. Danny Stutsman looks like another star in the making for the Sooners’ defense. After stepping in as a pivotal role player as a freshman, Stutsman stepped up significantly as a sophomore. This past season, Stutsman accounted for 125 total tackles, 68 solo tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, and five pass deflections. Stutsman is a high-level athlete who can play several different positions and packages. He possesses the power to make big hits, agility to chase the ball carrier, and patience to defend the passing plays in zone coverages. He looks to be one of the most versatile and best all-around linebackers in the Big 12 and makes a serious case for that same in the country. Stutsman could make a serious run at the Butkus Award at the end of the season.
Photo courtesy: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
