Position Previews: Linebackers

We are 32 days away until Iowa State kicks off the season against Kansas State in Ireland. To keep getting you prepared for the season, we will continue with out position previews every weekday through July 25. Next up is a group that has plenty of experience after a year filled with injury: the linebackers.

Returners
Caleb Bacon (RS Sr.)
Suffered a season-ending game in the first game of 2024. Was second on the team in tackles in 2023 to go with 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks.
Kooper Ebel (Jr.)
Started all 14 games in 2024, finished third on the team with 64 tackles and tied for the team lead with 6.0 for loss. Played half of the season with a separated shoulder according to Matt Campbell.
Cael Brezina (So.)
Had 22 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss as a true freshman in 2024. Dealt with injuries throughout the season and made seven starts in eight games played.
Will McLaughlin (RS Jr.)
Redshirted after missing the first nine games of the season with a back injury and finished the end of 2024 with 15 tackles. Was fifth on the team in tackles in 2023 and tied for the most tackles for loss.
Zach Lovett (RS Sr.)
Has 21 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss in two seasons as a Cyclone. Missed four games in 2024 to injury.
Beau Goodwin (So.)
Stepped up as a true freshman in 2024 with 24 tackles and 3.0 for loss in 12 games of action.
Carson Willich (RS Jr.)
Missed all of 2024 due to injury after a solid 2023 campaign where had 25 tackles and three quarterback hurries.
John Klosterman (RS Jr.)
Suffered a season-ending injury after recording four tackles in the first four games of the year.
Rylan Barnes (RS So.)
Played in nine games as a walk-on redshirt freshman, finishing the season with 30 tackles and 3.5 for loss.
Nick Reinicke (RS So.)
Played the final five games of the 2024 season on special teams.
Mason Miller (RS Fr.)
Redshirted in 2024.
Samuel Same (RS So.)
Has played in six games in two seasons.
Danny Inglis (RS Fr.)
Redshirted in 2024.

Additions
Will Hawthorne (Fr.)
Four-star linebacker from Gilbert by 247Sports. No. 2 ranked recruit in Iowa in the class of 2024.

Departures
Jack Sadowsky V
Transferred to Northwestern.
Jacob Ellis
Transferred to Colorado State.
Jacob Imming
Graduated.

Season Outlook

Notice how most of the returners say “injured in 2024?” Well, that’s because a lot of the group was injured for large parts of the season. Caleb Bacon and Carson Willich essentially missed the entire season. Will McLaughlin missed the first 75% of the season, John Klosterman missed the last 75% of the season. Other guys were on and off the field because of on-going injures. You get the point.

The good news is that nine of the 11 linebackers that either would’ve played or did play return in 2025. Players like Kooper Ebel went from rotational pieces to a mainstay of the defense. A guy like Rylan Barnes probably wouldn’t have played at all before injuries and now he’s got plenty of experience. Up and down, this linebacker group is weathered. There’s an abundance of players that have valuable Big 12 experience. Now the tough question, who plays?

Who gets the start?

Defensive coordinator Jon Heacock and linebackers coach Colby Kratch have a tough, but good problem on their hands. They’ve got a room full of competitors that expect to play because they’ve played before. I could argue that Caleb Bacon, Will McLauglin, Kooper Ebel, Cael Brezina, Beau Goodwin, Carson Willich and Zach Lovett all have a legit chance to start. I’d feel comfortable writing Bacon in sharpie as a starter but other than that? I have no confidence at who will slide in next to him. My gut tells me that it’ll be McLaughlin and either Ebel or Willich, but I wouldn’t bet your house on that prediction.

The good news is that “starter” is just a term. This will be a group that rotates a lot, especially situationally. When going up against a running quarterback, don’t be surprised to see more Zach Lovett because of his abilities as a spy. When it’s a team that’ll try to run it down Iowa State’s throat, then you play your best run stoppers. It’ll be fluid but you still want your best players on the field. Heacock’s approach with this group will be fascinating.

The LBs will help everyone else

The 2024 Cyclone that ran through the linebacker room didn’t just impact that room, it made life harder for everyone else. The safeties, who dealt with some of their own injuries, were compensating for young linebackers by dealing with more communication on their end. The defensive line wasn’t great and I’m sure a lot of that came from the inconsistency at linebacker.

The linebackers are the main communicators on the defense. When the linebackers know where everyone needs to be on the field, it makes for a well-oiled machine. I believe that this unit has that experience and talent to take the defense closer to the level we are used to. Plus, I think this group has what it takes to get to the quarterback more than last year which will make life easier for everyone on that side of the ball.

We will continue our position previews on CycloneFanatic.com. You can check out our previews for the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive line and defensive line at those links.