Several star linebackers have left the conference via graduation, the NFL, the transfer portal, and realignment, but the 2024 AAC LB Rankings remain filled to the brim with talent. However, there can only be one player at the top.
AAC 2024 LB Rankings
10) Jackson Ambush, FAU Owls
After graduating from FCS-level Albany last offseason, Jackson Ambush quickly won the starting middle linebacker job with the FAU Owls. All he did in his debut season was lead the team in tackles (89) while adding 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. His ability to stay patient, read and react, and wrap up ball carriers makes him one of the premier run defenders in the conference.
9) Jamal Ligon, UTSA Roadrunners
Jamal Ligon is no stranger to postseason all-conference lists …
- 2020: CUSA All-Freshman Team
- 2021: Honorable Mention All-CUSA
- 2022: Second-Team All-CUSA
- 2023: Honorable Mention All-AAC
Although his total tackles took a hit last season (90 to 62), he still added seven TFLs, one sack, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble. The UTSA Roadrunners will need the fifth-year starter to pick up even more of the slack in 2024, as fellow returning LB Martavius French was suspended indefinitely for “allegations of personal misconduct.”
A mere 30 tackles away from becoming UTSA’s career tackles leader, Ligon has already cemented his place in program history — now it’s time to rewrite the record books.
8) Myron Morrison, Rice Owls
Following two seasons honing his craft, Myron Morrison finally broke onto the field in 2021. He has started 18 straight games entering the 2024 campaign, including 13 last year when he played the most snaps of his career (682). His 80 tackles were second on the team, and his 20 total pressures were third, though he only saw 81 pass-rush reps.
The result was an All-AAC honorable mention and extra attention this offseason. Morrison has dropped 10 pounds, now listed at 6’3″ and 216 pounds. That’s light for a linebacker, even in today’s era of football, but it should improve his already above-average lateral quickness and fluidity in coverage.
7) Tyler Grubbs, Tulane Green Wave
After a 244-tackle, 24-TFL, four-sack, seven-PBU, and three-time All-CUSA career at Louisiana Tech, Tyler Grubbs transferred to Tulane and picked up third-team All-AAC honors.
MORE: AAC Strength of Schedule
He saw a lot more time in coverage than he had with the Bulldogs, and his lack of snaps showed at times. Nevertheless, Grubbs proved his mettle against the run (7.5 TFLs) and as a blitzer (three sacks), landing him on the Shrine Bowl 1000 watch list this offseason.
6) Jordan Brown, North Texas Mean Green
Jordan Brown rode the pine his first three years at North Texas, but in 2023, he proved the wait was worth it. He led the team in tackles (83) while racking up five TFLs and 3.5 sacks on the year, earning third-team all-conference recognition. He struggled in run defense in the last quarter of the season, but with linebacker being such an experience-based position, Brown should only improve in his fifth and final campaign.
5) Jhalyn Shuler, USF Bulls
USF’s offense gets most of the credit for their historic one-season turnaround (1-11 to 7-6) under head coach Alex Golesh, but the defense held up their end of the bargain. Chief among the unit was Jhalyn Shuler, as he was one of only two Bulls defenders to start all 13 games.
Not only did Shuler stuff the stat sheet — 97 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, two sacks, five PBUs, and one forced fumble — but he established himself as one of the best all-around LBs in the conference.
4) Javante Mackey, Memphis Tigers
Arkansas State’s loss was Memphis’ gain, as Javante Mackey joins the Tigers after two years with the Red Wolves. He redshirted his first season but exploded as a starter in 2023, ranking second on the team with 84 tackles.
At 6’1″ and 222, he’s quick enough to operate in the slot on occasion, and he rarely allows yardage after the catch. Now with a year of experience under his belt and being the favorite in the AAC, Mackey should have no issue dwarfing his 2023 tape.
3) Jesus Machado, Tulane Green Wave
Jesus Machado may be listed at only 6’1″ and 220 pounds, but his neck roll and violent play in the box give flashbacks to the second-level head hunters of previous generations. His 98 tackles last season were 23 more than any other player on the team. But more impressive was his lack of missed tackles, as once he got his hands on ball carriers, the refs might as well have blown the whistle.
If Machado can improve his coverage skills to the level of his run defense and pass rushing, he’ll be a shoo-in for first-team All-AAC honors.
2) Chandler Martin, Memphis Tigers
First-team All-AAC. Shrine Bowl 1000 member. Bronko Nagurski Award contestant. You name it, Chandler Martin has done it. A 2023 first-team All-AAC linebacker, Martin finished second in the conference in TFLs (17) and generated 95 tackles. He was one of the best defenders on the field — and he wasn’t even at his best.
Martin was playing through a previously unrevealed left shoulder injury, which caused him to come in and out of games before he had a cleanup procedure this offseason. Now fully healthy and supported by Mackey, Elijah Herring, and Rodney Dansby at the position, Martin should feast in 2024.
1) Colin Ramos, Navy Midshipmen
Navy is coming off four straight losing seasons, but Colin Ramos has done all he could to keep his team in games. Last season, he became the first Midshipman to total 100+ tackles (110) since 2019, receiving a first-team all-conference nod.
KEEP READING: 2024 All-AAC College Football Preseason Team and Individual Honors
With 24 starts behind him, Ramos is one of the most experienced players on the 2024 AAC LB Rankings. His 5’11” and 209-pound frame should cause issues in the box, but he plays far bigger than his size. Crash in run defense, blitz up the middle, or drop into coverage — Ramos can do it all.
2024 AAC LB Rankings | 11-20
11) Kalib Fortner, Army
12) Donyai Taylor, UTSA
13) Michael Moore and Everett Roussaw Jr., UAB
14) Elijah Herring and Rodney Dansby, Memphis
15) Desmond Tisdol, FAU
16) Ethan Wesloski, North Texas
17) Mike Edwards III, East Carolina
18) Chris Conti, Rice
19) Tyquan King, Temple
20) Aidan Kaler and Avery Morris, Charlotte
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