The 2025 college football season is still roughly two months away from offically kicking off, but that leaves plenty of time for Ranking Season to continue. And Athlon Sports more than provided with its 2025 preseason college football preview magazine.

As part of its annual preseason preview, Athlon Sports identified the Top 10 positional groupings entering the 2025 regular season, including the Top 10 linebacker units. To little surprise, the SEC leads the way with four of Athlon’s Top 10 linebacker rooms, including the Top 2 overall units. The Big Ten was also well-represented with three teams in the Top 10, including the last two College Football Playoff national champions.

Reigning national runner-up Notre Dame also managed to crack Athlon’s Top 5, while the ACC earned a pair of Top 10 spots. Check out Athlon Sports’ full Top 10 list of best linebacker units below:

CLICK HERE to buy Athlon’s 2025 magazine online.

Projected starters: MLB Jaishawn Barham, WLB Ernest Hausmann, EDGEs TJ Guy, Derrick Moore

The Wolverines return a particularly experienced group in the heart of its defense, including starting linebackers in Barham (66 tackles) and Hausmann (team-high 89 tackles, both of whom started all 13 games last season. Michigan also returns veteran pass rushers in Moore (4 sacks, 6 TFL) and Guy (5.5 sacks, 7 TFL), who combined for 9.5 sacks and 13 TFL in 2024.

Projected starters: MLB Whit Weeks, WLB Harold Perkins

The heart of the Tigers’ defense rests with Perkins and Weeks in 2025. Perkins, a former 5-star recruit in 2022, has had his once-promising collegiate career derailed by injuries, including being limited to just four games in 2024. Meanwhile, Weeks has emerged as one of the SEC’s top tacklers after finishing second in the league with 125 total tackles in 2024, including 10 for loss.

Projected starters: MAC Bryce Boettcher, MONEY Devon Jackson, JACK Teitum Tuioti

Much likes others on this list, the Ducks return all three of their projected starters from last season, including 13-game starting ‘backers Boettcher and Tuiioti. Boettcher, a two-sport star and former walk-on to the football team, led Oregon with 94 total tackles in 2024, while Tuitoti added 58 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Jackson started one game in 2024 and will replace Kansas City Chiefs draft pick Jeffery Bassa.

Projected starters: WLB Rasheem Biles, STAR Kyle Louis, MLB Braylan Lovelace

Louis returns after receiving All-American honors and a first-team All-ACC selection after racking up 101 total tackles, including a team-high 15.5 TFL and 7 sacks, while making 13 starts in 2024. Biles wasn’t far behind him with 82 tackles, 14.5 for loss, and 5.5 sacks across 8 starts last season, while Lovelace appears in line to replace Brandon George as the Panthers’ starting middle linebacker in 2025.

Projected starters: MLB Justin Jefferson, STING Deontae Lawson, WOLF Qua Russaw

Lawson and Jefferson both opted to return for their fifth season, giving the Crimson Tide one of the SEC’s most experienced LB units. Lawson (76 total tackles, 6.5 TFL) is back after suffering a season-ending injury against Oklahoma, while Jefferson (60 tackles, 6.5 TFL) earned a NCAA waiver following Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia‘s court win last year. Russaw becomes a full-time starter after tallying 36 tackles in limited role as a true freshamn.

Projected starters: MLB Wade Woodaz, WLB Sammy Brown

While they might not have the star power of their peers in the trenches, Brown and Woodaz are arguably the true heart of the Clemson defense after combining on 163 total tackles in 2024. Woodaz started 13 games last season and led the team with 83 stops, while Brown won ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after ranking second to superstar DE T.J. Parker with 11.5 TFL, 5 sacks and 80 tackles last season.

Projected starters: ROVER Jaiden Ausberry, MLB Drayk Bowen, WLB Jaylen Sneed

The Fighting Irish lost leading tackler Jack Kiser to the NFL, but still returns serious talent in the middle of its defense, including rising juniors Bowen (78 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles) and Sneed (51 tackles). But arguably the most impactful returner is Ausberry, who splashed as sophomore with 58 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, and two QB hurries despite just two starts in 2024.

Projected starters: EDGE Beau Atkinson, WLB Sonny Styles, MLB Arvell Reese

Despite significant turnover within the Buckeyes’ championship defense, including losing leading tackler Cody Simon, Ohio State still features plenty of talent and experience at LB. Styles has started 28 straight games and ranked second on the team with 100 total tackles last season, while Reese will replace Simon after making two starts in 2024. Atkinson transferred in from North Carolina after racking up 7.5 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 12 TFL and 35 tackles last season.

Projected starters: MONEY CJ Allen, JACK Elo Modozie, MAC Raylen Wilson

While the Bulldogs’ 2024 defense took its share of lumps, the heart of the unit more than held its own last season. Led by Allen (76 total tackles, 5 QB hurries, 4 PBUs) and Wilson (47 tackles, 7 TFL) in the middle, Georgia’s linebackers made plays all over the field. After losing some of its best pass rushers off last season’s squad, the Bulldogs added 6-foot-3, 245-pound EDGE Modozie (6.5 sacks, 8 TFL) from Army out of the transfer portal.

Projected starters: MLB Anthony Hill Jr., WLB Trey Moore, BUCK Colin Simmons

Given the sheer wealth of returning talent, it’s no surprise the Longhorns would have college football’s top-ranked LB room. After opting to forgo the NFL, the senior Hill comes back as arguably the best individual linebacker in college football after racking up 113 total tackles and a SEC-leading 16.5 TFL in 2024. Simmons added a team-high nine sacks and 14 TFL despite not starting a single game as a true freshman. That’ll change in 2025. On the other side, Moore has made 15 consecutive starts after adding 5.5 sacks and 9.5 TFL last season.

A big change is coming to the College Football Playoff with a new seeding model ready to debut this season, as the committee will forgo the distinction between rankings and seedings, and simply award the 12 highest-ranked teams a place in the postseason field.

“After evaluating the first year of the 12-team playoff, the CFP Management Committee felt it was in the best interest of the game to make this adjustment,” College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark said.

“This change will continue to allow guaranteed access to the playoff by rewarding teams for winning their conference championship, but it will also allow us to construct a postseason bracket that recognizes the best performance on the field during the entire regular season.”

What can we expect in what should be another historic College Football Playoff field? For that, we turned to Grok to get a preview of who will be seeded where.

1. Ohio State

Kentucky baseball has a Top 10 transfer class — and still just 7th in the SEC

If you needed another reminder of how brutal life in the SEC is, Kentucky baseball just gave you one: the Wildcats landed the 7th-best transfer portal class in the country, per 64Analytics — and still rank only 7th in the conference.

That’s not an indictment of Kentucky. That’s a reflection of how loaded the SEC remains, fresh off LSU sweeping the College World Series and the league sending a record number of teams to the NCAA Tournament.

Here’s how the SEC dominates the national transfer rankings:

1. Mississippi State
2. Tennessee
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. South Carolina
6. Auburn
7. Kentucky
8. Alabama

Nick Mingione’s squad might not have the flashiest class, but it’s deep, balanced, and built for postseason baseball. Kentucky reloaded the pitching staff with Kaden Echeman (Northern Kentucky), Burkley Bounds (Eastern Kentucky), Jack Bennett (Western Kentucky), Ryan Mullan (Loyola Marymount), and Bryson Treichel (North Florida). That’s five arms with college experience and toughness.

Jackson Soucie joins from South Carolina to bolster the left side. In the infield, Tyler Cerny (Indiana) and Connor Mattison (Grand Canyon) bring versatility. Alex Duffey (Elon) adds pop behind the plate, while Scott Campbell (USC Upstate) is a name to know in the outfield.

On the freshman front, Kentucky’s class is ranked 24th nationally, headlined by Owen Jenkins, a top-30 national prospect and a big-time catcher out of Lexington Catholic. Add in pitching depth with righties Joshua Flores, Lucas Hall, and Jacks Sams, plus lefties like Will Coleman and Toby Peterson, and the foundation is set.

Let’s not forget — the Bat ‘Cats reached a Regional Final last season, coughing up two separate five-run leads in a gutting elimination loss. That stung. But with this infusion of talent, the goal is clear: win those close games in 2025 and make a deeper postseason run.

In the SEC, standing still means falling behind. But Kentucky isn’t standing still. They’re building a roster that can go toe-to-toe with anyone.

To steal a line from Freddie Maggard, “Play ’em all!” You probably know him as an exceptional KSR Football Podcast host who spent a couple of years starting under center at Commonwealth Stadium. What you probably didn’t know is that Freddie nearly skipped college to play Major League Baseball. Scouts filled the Cumberland stands when he threw a no-hitter and hit three home runs. Matt Ponatoski is the modern day Maggard, but better (no offense, Freddie).

We’ve spent plenty of time dissecting what Ponatoski can bring to the Kentucky football team, but what exactly could he do for Nick Mingione’s baseball program?

Playing two sports at the Power Conference level is a challenge rarely accepted. Austin Simmons spent one year on the diamond at Ole Miss before focusing all of his attention on learning the quarterback position for Lane Kiffin. The merits of this undertaking will be discussed thoroughly in the coming months and years. We can save that for another day.

Professional baseball scouts have eyed Ponatoski for years. As you might suspect, the quarterback is also a pretty good pitcher who can throw it up to 97 mph. He can also swing the bat. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Ponatoski hit .462 as a junior with seven doubles, four home runs, 37 RBIs, and a .556 on-base percentage. 

Following his junior season, Ponatoski was the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year in football and baseball. He was a Second Team All-American selection as a shortstop, the position he’s projected to play at the next level.

Prep Baseball Report ranks Ponatoski as the No. 14 recruit in the 2026 class. Ohio Scouting Director Kyle Weldon shared with Bat Cats Central’s Derek Terry what makes him such a special prospect.

“Matt has elite arm strength,” Weldon said. “He has a plus hit tool with the potential to be a plus power guy eventually. He’s a winner profile, which has been seen on the football field too. This is a guy that’s highly competitive, highly skilled and has a lot of natural talent. When you combine all those things, it makes him a really sought-after prospect.”

Today was a big win for Mark Stoops and Nick Mingione. The talented athlete made the short drive from Cincinnati to Lexington often, but actually used his official visit for baseball. Before the baseball vs. football debate begins, Ponatoski made it clear to Jacob Polacheck that he wants to play ’em all.

“I’m going to try and do both for as long as possible,” he said. “The goal for me is to be drafted in both [sports]. It sounds crazy, but Kyler Murray did it not too long ago.”

In a conversation with reporters following his decision, he added, “I think people might think it might be too much, but it’s what I signed up for and I’m ready to go.”

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

Not all recruiting wins are created equally. This time, it’s not just a win for Mark Stoops, but for Nick Mingione. Matt Ponatoski has committed to Kentucky.

“I’ll be committing to the University of Kentucky to play baseball and football,” Ponatoski tells KSR+. “Big Blue Nation, I’m ready to work. I’m coming not to change the program, but we’re going to put the program on the map.”

The Cincinnati Moeller athlete is an expert at throwing balls. He was tabbed as the most accurate quarterback in the country during last week’s Elite 11 camp. He’s also an All-American shortstop, ranked as one of the Top 20 baseball recruits in the country.

Mark Stoops secured a commitment from Ponatoski without actually hosting him for an official visit. Nick Mingione hosted him on behalf of the Bat Cats this spring. That’s right around the time his football recruitment really blew up. Alabama and Oregon entered the picture, and each school was able to get him on campus. Prior to his trip out west for the Elite 11 and his Oregon OV, he made a crucial pitstop in Lexington. That trip to meet with Bush Hamdan and the rest of the offense set the wheels in motion for this historic commitment.

Ponatoski is the most prolific quarterback recruit to commit to Kentucky since Tim Couch. He’s the ninth-ranked quarterback in the country and No. 100 overall player, according to On3. That ranking is going to soar once all of the recruiting services complete their next round of updates.

Often considered a baseball-first prospect, he might not have even been ranked when he camped at Kentucky last summer. Then he went out and dominated the most competitive division in Ohio high school football.

Ponatoski threw for 4,200 yards, 58 touchdowns, and only three interceptions in the Greater Catholic League. He was often the best player on the field in front of sold-out crowds. The College GameDay crew was in the stands when Ponatoski outdueled St. X’s Chase Herbstreit in a 45-37 playoff shootout. In the semifinals the following week, Ponatoski had 431 yards and six touchdowns in the first half. Moeller ultimately fell short in the Ohio Division I State Championship Game, a 28-14 loss to Olentangy Liberty.

In 2024, Ponatoski was Ohio Mr. Football. He earned Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year honors in both baseball and football.

What People Say About Ponatoski’s Game

The Elite 11 Camp earlier this month put Ponatoski on center stage in front of noteworthy talent evaluators and reporters around college football. Even though he did not win the event, it was clear that he was one of the best players on the field.

“Ponatoski looked like the most accurate Elite 11 Finalist throughout the week,” On3’s Director of Scouting Charles Power wrote. “The Cincinnati native was a smooth operator each day. He made drill work look easy, consistently delivering well-placed, catchable passes. Ponatoski carried that into Day 2, turning in one of the more impressive pro day showings while earning the highest score from the Elite 11 staff. The capped the week off with a solid showing in 7-on-7 that saw him throw three touchdowns. A dual sport star who doubles as a top baseball prospect, Ponatoski is an accurate, rhythm passer with natural timing and feel.

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman has been covering the event for more than 20 years, and this year’s group was one of the most talented he’s ever seen.

“The most pleasant surprise to me was Ohio’s Matt Ponatoski, ranked as the No. 29 QB by 247Sports. The two-sport star has an electric arm, having been clocked at 97 mph as a pitcher. That arm wowed me Thursday morning in his 7-on-7 performance. The 6-1, 196-pounder, who is uncommitted, made two ‘wow’ throws to receivers who didn’t look open at all, but he fired the ball into the only spot he could and completed the passes. It was impressive.”

Justin Hoover, one of the coaches at the event, told Feldman, “He had a couple of those every day we were here. He’s got some confidence to put it in places that others wouldn’t even attempt to throw. He really stood out.”

Want more Kentucky football recruiting intel? Join KSR Plus for the most comprehensive coverage of the Cats on the internet. With a KSR membership, you get access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.