Linebackers: Caleb Woodson, Jaden Keller, Jordan Bass, Kaleb Spencer, Caleb Brown, Thomas Williams, Will Johnson, Antwone Santiago
This is a position group that lost some pieces, including Sam Brumfield to the Transfer Portal to Memphis, but they return a lot of talent at the second level that could be a handful for opposing teams this fall. They will need to step up until the defensive line gets thigns figured out.
Caleb Woodson and Jaden Keller are going to be a duo that will look to lead the defense and unit. Last season, Keller had 83 tackles, 35 solo, and Woodson had 72 tackles and a pair of sacks. Twent-six of his tackles were solo.
Just where everyone ends up slotting remains to be seen, but this unit has some veterans on it that should play some valuable snaps. But there is no doubt that this unit has a lot of potential going into 2025.
Kaleb Spencer made some big plays last season, including his interception at Miami in September, and Jordan Bass could be a beast coming in from Pittsburgh. It will be interesting to see how this unit is used by first-year defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes.