As the days count down to the start of the 2017 FCS season, we take a closer look at the subdivision's top conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Each week will feature the top five returners in a position group in the MVFC.
Positions discussed so far include the QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs.
Next up are the linebackers. There will be a lot of NFL eyes on the MVFC this year when it comes to scouting this position group. Each of these guys below will have a shot at the top level when their time comes, with a couple possibly hearing their name called at the draft.
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5. Armand Dellovade, Youngstown State
The YSU defense was as gritty as it gets in 2016 under the watchful eye of Carl and Bo Pelini. With two safeties and two defensive ends holding most of the name recognition, it was sophomore linebacker Armand Dellovade who was continuing to develop into one of the top tacklers in the conference.
After a true freshman season where he started nine games, Dellovade started all 16 games in YSU's run to a national runner-up finish. His 105 tackles led the team and was the fifth most in the Valley. He added 11.5 tackles for loss and three sacks and was named second team all-conference.
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4. Jared Farley, Northern Iowa
A true coach's son right here. Jared is the second of UNI head coach Mark Farley's sons to play linebacker for the Panthers. And the toughness coach Farley instills in his teams is seen in the way Jared plays. Instinctual and aggressive, Jared made an impact right when he stepped on campus when he played as a true freshman in 2014.
He started 12 games in the 2015 run to the FCS quarterfinals and all 11 games last season, where he led UNI with 80 tackles. A big senior season is in store after his second team all-MVFC junior campaign.
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3. Christian Rozeboom, South Dakota State
The MVFC Freshman of the Year and runner-up for the Jerry Rice Award for national freshman of the year, Rozeboom was all over the field for the Jackrabbits in 2016. His 132 total tackles was third in the Valley and fourth in the FCS.
Rozeboom shined as a freshman with two senior linebackers on the outside of him. Now he'll be relied on even more to lead the defense hoping to make improvements for a team with national championship aspirations.
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2. Brett Taylor, Western Illinois
Taylor returns for his senior season as one of the top linebackers in the FCS. He led the subdivision in solo tackles and was third in total tackles. As a sophomore in 2015, he had a team high 144 total tackles to make the Valley's second team. Last season, he was recognized on several first team all-American lists.
This year, Taylor will receive even more attention. He should be in the running for the Buck Buchanan Award for the best defensive player in the FCS. And NFLDraftScout has him listed as the 26th best inside linebacker prospect in all of college football.
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1. Nick DeLuca, North Dakota State
Heading into this season, DeLuca should be looked at as the top defensive player in the entire FCS. If not for a shoulder injury that cut his senior season short after three games in 2016, DeLuca would have an NFL contract right now. But helped by the fact he played as a true freshman, DeLuca was given a medical hardship from the NCAA to return in 2017.
After a breakout 2015 season where he led NDSU with 135 total tackles and was second in voting for the MVFC Defensive Player of the Year, DeLuca entered 2016 by being named to the Butkus Award Watch List. He was the only FCS player nominated for the award honoring the nation's best linebacker. He'll have the eye of NFL scouts on him, as NFLDraftScout lists him the 14th best inside linebacker right now for the 2018 NFL Draft.
