As we hit the preview portion of the 2024 FCS offseason, HERO Sports will rank the top returning players by position group.
While what happens on the field and how things finish at the end of the season is what really matters, preseason rankings give fans an idea of what players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning linebackers in 2024.
These rankings are formed by a combination of on-field production, postseason accolades, PFF grades, pro potential, and the author’s opinion/FCS knowledge (watching games, knowing what system players are in, strength of opponents, etc.).
Best Returning FCS LBs
25. Will Leota, Sacramento State (transfer from Utah Tech)
24. Tylan Foster, UIW
23. CJ Tillman, Campbell
22. Jacob Williams, Texas Southern
21. Eric Rankin, VMI
20. Alex Herriott, Presbyterian
19. A.J. Pena, Rhode Island
18. Mike DeNucci, Lehigh
17. Brendan Bell, Villanova
16. Garret Ollendieck, Indiana State
Top 25 Returners
- Top 25 Returning Quarterbacks
- Top 25 Returning Linebackers
- Top 25 Returning Running Backs
- Top 25 Returning Wide Receivers
- Top 25 Returning Offensive Linemen
15. Ken Standley, Mercer
14. Colin Bohanek, Southern Illinois
13. William McRainey, ETSU (transfer from Gardner-Webb)
12. Isaac Dowling, Mercer
11. Rico Dozier, Alabama State (transfer from Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
10. James Conway, Fordham
9. Logan Kopp, North Dakota State
8. Bryce Norman, SEMO
7. Shane Hartzell, Villanova
6. Riley Wilson, Montana
5. Amir Abdullah, Illinois State
4. Erick Hunter, Morgan State
3. Noah Martin, Samford
Martin has started games for Samford since the 2021 spring season, where he was named to the SoCon All-Freshman team. In the 2021 fall, he totaled 72 tackles and five tackles for loss. In 2022, Martin recorded 92 tackles and 7.5 TFLs.
He took his game to another level last season, racking up 109 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries, and two pass breakups. PFF graded Martin as the No. 3 overall FCS linebacker.
The 6-foot-1, 232-pounder was named to the All-SoCon First Team while earning All-American honors from the AP and FCS Football Central.
2. Adam Bock, South Dakota State
A 2021 spring Freshman All-American, 2021 fall Sophomore All-American, 2021 First Team All-American, 2021 Buck Buchanan Award finalist, and two-time All-MVFC First Team selection (2021, 2022), Bock returns for a sixth season with the Jackrabbits.
He eyes a healthy 2024 season after sitting out multiple games in 2022 and 2023. Bock looks to replicate a dynamite 2021 fall season where he tallied 125 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and eight passes defended.
Bock has recorded 76 tackles and 65 tackles in the last two seasons. He missed five games in the first half of the 2023 regular season and worked his way back from a foot injury. In his career, the 6-foot-1 and 225-pounder totals 344 tackles, 25 TFLs, and 10.5 sacks.
1. Micah Davey, McNeese
After a Freshman All-American campaign in 2022 that featured 68 tackles and eight TFLs, Davey became one of the most dominant defenders in the FCS.
Last fall, he racked up 153 tackles, seven TFLs, two sacks, four quarterback hurries, and three pass breakups in 10 games. Davey had double-digit tackles in every contest, including 13 against Florida. His 15.2 tackles per game led the FCS. The 6-foot-2, 239-pounder graded out as PFF’s No. 13 FCS linebacker.
Davey finished seventh in voting for the 2023 Buck Buchanan Award along with an All-American selection and First Team All-Southland Conference honors.
