As we hit the preview portion of the 2025 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 which players and teams they should keep an eye on.
Here are the top returning linebackers in 2025.
NOTES:
- 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.).
- FBS-to-FCS transfers will not be included
RELATED: Top Returning FCS Quarterbacks
Best Returning FCS Linebackers
25. Jaden Mosley, Samford
24. Sean Allison, Drake
23. Malachi Wright, CCSU
22. Thomas Wyatt, The Citadel
21. AJ Roberts, Stony Brook
20. Aaron Swafford, Tennessee Tech
19. Peyton Wing, Montana (transfer from Portland State)
18. Marco Scarano, Princeton
17. Stemarion Edwards, Norfolk State (transfer from Alcorn State)
16. Jake Dalmado, Nicholls
15. Declan Williams, UIW
14. Luke Banbury, William & Mary (transfer from Cornell)
13. Elijawah Tolbert, Montana (transfer from Eastern Illinois)
12. Nate Ewell, South Dakota
11. GianCarlo Rufo, Georgetown
10. Porter Connors, UC Davis
9. Colin Bohanek, Southern Illinois
8. Carter Glassmyer, Richmond
7. James Conway, Fordham
6. Will Shaffer, Abilene Christian
5. Logan Kopp, North Dakota State
- Senior, 6-1, 221 pounds
- 2022: 15 games, 41 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 2 INT
- 2022 Freshman All-American
- 2022 MVFC All-Newcomer Team
- 2023: 15 games, 85 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles, 3 INT, 4 pass breakups
- 2023 All-MVFC 1st Team
- 2023 Phil Steele All-American 3rd Team
- 2024: 14 games, 73 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 INT, 6 pass breakups
- 2024 All-MVFC 1st Team
4. Tye Niekamp, Illinois State
- Junior, 6-3, 240 pounds
- 2023: 11 games, 74 tackles, 9 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 7 QB hurries, 7 pass breakups
- 2023 All-MVFC 2nd Team
- 2023 MVFC Freshman of the Year
- 2023 Freshman All-American
- 4th in voting for the 2023 Jerry Rice Award
- 2024: 14 games, 112 tackles, 11 TFLs, 3 sacks, 4 INT, 2 QB hurries, 8 pass breakups
- 2024 All-MVFC 1st Team
- 4x 2024 All-American selections
3. Shane Hartzell, Villanova
- Senior, 6-0, 230 pounds
- 2022: 11 games, 74 tackles, 9 TFLs, 4 sacks
- 2023: 12 games, 91 tackles, 6 TFLs, 4 sacks, 8 QB hurries, 1 INT, 3 pass breakups
- 2023 All-CAA Honorable Mention
- 2024: 12 games, 121 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 8 QB hurries, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles
- 2024 All-CAA 1st Team
- 2024 Phil Steele FCS All-American
2. Erick Hunter, Morgan State
- Senior, 6-4, 210 pounds
- 2022: 11 games, 77 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 4 pass breakups
- 2023: 10 games, 75 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 INT, 7 QB hurries
- 2023 All-MEAC 1st Team
- 2023 FCS Football Central 3rd Team All-American
- 2024: 2 games, 8 tackles, 1 TFL
1. A.J. Pena, Rhode Island
- Senior, 6-2, 243 pounds
- 2022: 11 games, 22 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks
- 2023: 11 games, 59 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 9 sacks, 6 QB hurries
- 2023 All-CAA 3rd Team
- 2024: 14 games, 82 tackles, 22.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, 5 QB hurries
- 2024 All-CAA 1st Team
- 13th in 2024 Buck Buchanan Award voting
- 4x 2024 1st Team All-American selections
