We have reached the point in the off-season where spring football has concluded and fans are starting to have a better understanding of what their team’s depth chart may look like. With that, we are going to take a look at specific position groups across the PAC 12 and Mountain West. With our coverage shifting to two different conferences, it will be impossible to cover all 18 teams in one article each week. For that reason, we are going to focus on a couple of teams that fit the bill in each category.
Over the past few weeks, we have talked about quarterbacks, running backs, offensive lines, wide receivers, and defensive lines. This week we look at the big hitters as we dive into the linebacker position.
The Good
New Mexico
Jaxton Eck should be the unanimous Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in the Mountain West. Eck is far and away the best returning linebacker in the conference, and he has a solid supporting cast around him. Last season, the Lobos finished the year with the best rush defense and best pass rush in the conference and Eck was a big part of that. I expect big things from this group this fall. They should be one of the top linebacker groups in the entire nation.
North Dakota State
The Bison may not have the biggest linebacker group, but they are among the most athletic. This group will hit you hard and force some turnovers in the process. Elite play in the front seven will give this group a chance to compete immediately in the Mountain West. This group gave up only 3.7 yards per carry last fall and could potentially be even better this season.
The Bad
Boise State
Linebacker might be my biggest concern for this team. The loss of Marco Notarainni is significant. Jake Ripp now becomes the leader of this group, and many new/young faces will be asked to take on a significant role. I’m concerned that there will be a massive learning curve for this group in the early part of the season, and they better hope they gel in fall camp since their first game will come against the top offense in the country when they travel to Eugene to take on the Oregon Ducks.
Utah State
The Aggies struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball last season, especially in regard to stopping the run. Utah State finished the 2025 season giving up 181 yards rushing per game, which was 111th in the conference. There were times last season where a noticeable lack of athleticism at the linebacker position led to big plays for the opposition. However, it wasn’t all bad for the Aggie front seven; they were solid in the pass rushing department where they tallied 29 sacks. Stopping the run will be the top priority for this team. They are going to face some elite rushing offenses in the new look PAC 12.
The Ugly
Northern Illinois
NIU’s play in the front seven was putrid last season. If they would have been in the Mountain West last season, they would have had a conference low 14 sacks. Not only was the pass rush awful, they allowed 184 yards per game on the ground last season, only Colorado State was worse. Things aren’t going to get any easier for the Huskies. The talent level will be a significant leap in the Mountain West and they will be facing bigger, more physical, offensive lines. It is likely going to be a rough transition year for this squad and their linebacker crew.
UTEP
While the Miners pass rush was solid (28 sacks), their rush defense was completely awful. The Miners would have finished near the bottom of the Mountain West, giving up 170 yards per game. This was against Conference USA foes. Now they get to face Jai’Den Thomas and Scottre Humphrey. The Miners better hope some of their portal additions at linebacker provide a significant upgrade. Or it is going to be a long fall in South Texas?
How do you feel about your team’s linebacker group? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
