Ranking the top five portal LB classes
Teams around the country solidified the foundation of their roster during the winter transfer window. This week we’re highlighting the best transfer classes by position. Today the linebackers are under the microscope.
1. MISSOURI
Missouri dominated the linebacker position this transfer portal cycle reeling in two of the best at the position. Damon Wilson is a former five-star who couldn’t quite find his footing at Georgia but his talent is undeniable. Josiah Trotter, son of former NFL star Jeremiah Trotter, is coming off a season in which he won Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. The Tigers also added a pair of linebackers who have tallied more than 60 tackles over the past two seasons in Mikai Gbayor from Nebraska and Nate Johnson from Appalachian State.
2. OLE MISS
Ole Miss sits at the top of the transfer team rankings for a reason – the Rebels loaded up with impressive talent across the board and linebacker is no exception. They just lost standout Princely Umanmielen to the NFL but they have signed his younger brother Princewill after an impressive start to his career at Nebraska. Lane Kiffin‘s defense will also benefit from the hard fault recruiting win for former Grambling State star linebacker Andrew Jones.
3. NEBRASKA
Nebraska saw a lot of turnover on its roster during the winter transfer window but they restocked at multiple key positions, including linebacker. Dasan McCullough comes to Lincoln after an up-and-down career at Indiana and most recently Oklahoma. He has a chance to finish out his career on a high note since he has the inside track to start this coming season. Marques Watson-Trent also brings plenty of experience to the linebacker corps and should be a difference maker for the Cornhuskers.
4. WASHINGTON
Jedd Fisch and company took over a depleted Washington roster at the beginning of last season but things are looking up for the Huskies after a strong high school recruiting class and now a strong transfer class. At linebacker, former Arizona standout Jacob Manu is reuniting with his former head coach in Seattle in hopes of finishing his career out on a strong note. Xe’ree Alexander comes to Washington after a strong season at UCF and is primed to draw serious NFL Draft buzz if he continues to improve at the same rate.
5. KANSAS STATE
The Wildcats restocked their linebacker corps with two impressive prospects in Jayshawn Ross and Gabe Powers. This is a bit of a homecoming for Ross after he couldn’t quite make it work at Alabama to start off his collegiate career. Powers is an Ohio native who signed with Ohio State but his style of play made it difficult to find consistent playing time.
