2019 Preseason All-American Projections: Inside Linebackers

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2019 college football season WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises and the stars of next fall could be the headlining players next April in the 2020 NFL Draft.

First-Team Inside Linebacker: Troy Dye, Oregon

Dye has been a good defender for the Ducks over the past three seasons. Last season, which was his best, he he totaled 115 tackles with eight tackles for a loss, two sacks, one interception and eight passes defended. As a freshman, Dyve had 91 tackles with 13 for a loss, 6.5 sacks, and an interception. He had 107 tackles in 2017. Dye has shown progress in pass coverage over his time at Oregon. He should be one of the top linebackers in college football as a senior and earn a lot of postseason honors.

Second-Team Inside Linebacker: Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma

The college football postseason awards have a tendency to go to players who produce huge state lines regardless of their prospects for the next level. By looking at the stat line, Murray should be a favorite to win a lot of awards this fall because he was a tackling machine for the Sooners in 2018. He was one of the nation’s leaders with 155 stops, which is an especially huge number considering he plays in a passing conference. Murray also added 12.5 tackles for a loss with two passes batted. If Murray can stay consistent with his 2018 production, he should have a lot of awards coming his direction at the end of 2019.

Third-Team Inside Linebacker: Dylan Moses, Alabama

Alabama has been a factory for NFL linebackers under Nick Saban, and Moses should continue the tradition that has seen the likes of C.J. Mosley, Dont’a Hightower, Reggie Ragland, Reuben Foster and more. Moses flashed in 2018 with 86 tackles, 10 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass batted. He should take on a bigger role as a junior in 2019 with Mack Wilson in the NFL. Playing for Alabama should provide plenty of attention for Moses and land him a lot of postseason honors. It would’t be surprising if he ends up being a highly acclaimed All-American for 2019.

Honorable Mentions: Mississippi State’s Erroll Thompson, Michigan State’s Joe Bachie, Ohio State’s Malik Harrison, Florida’s David Reese, Ole Miss’ Mohamed Sanogo, Arkansas’ De’Jon Harris, California’s Evan Weaver, Miami’s Shaq Quarterman, Northwestern’s Paddy Fisher, Purdue’s Markus Bailey, Wyoming’s Logan Wilson, San Diego State’s Kyahva Tezino and Montana’s Dante Olson.