These guys get after the ball in many ways, defensively – and they do it with athleticism and speed. The one special thing about a good outside linebacking prospect is his ability to shift into many roles within a program, depending on the scheme.
While the list you see below has players who can – and in some cases do – technically play at different spots on defense, this list is made up of players who at least some scouts see as more of an “outside linebacker” prospect. It’s an impressive and accomplished group.
So take a look, conference by conference, at some key players returning to the FCS level as OLB prospects.
RELATED: Best Returning FCS Inside LB In Each Conference
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BIG SKY
Riley Wilson, Montana, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 53 tackles, 15 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 6 hurries
Wilson was an immediate star on the defensive side of the ball for the national runner-up Griz. He has already turned the heads of scouts, being rated the third-best edge rusher in his class (2026) by Pro Football Focus, and he carries All-America honors into his second year in the FCS, as well as preseason All-Big Sky honors. While he started only two games, he played in 13 of the team’s 15 in the run to the national title game in January in Frisco (two were missed due to injury). He led Montana with 8.5 sacks and had a stat-crazy day against Northern Colorado when he posted 4 TFLs/3 sacks. In the national title game against South Dakota State, he had 5 tackles and a TFL. Before last year, he played in 16 career games at FBS Hawaii, mainly on special teams.
BIG SOUTH-OVC
Ethan Stuhlsatz, Lindenwood, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 70 tackles, 3 hurries
Stuhlsatz made an instant impact last year as a junior college transfer, taking Second Team All-Big South-OVC honors and finishing fifth in the conference last year in tackles. He posted 10+ tackles in four games and forced two fumbles. Before last fall, he played at Butler Community College in Kansas, finishing with 24 tackles, two TFLs, and one INT in 2022 as a sophomore, including five tackles in the Heart of Texas Bowl, a JUCO postseason game.
CAA
Brendan Bell, Villanova, Grad.
2023 STAT LINE: 89 tackles, 11.5 TFLs
Bell was named Second Team All-CAA by the league last year, ranking second on the team in tackles and leading the program in tackles for loss. He seemed to show brightest when the game was against the Wildcats’ toughest opponents, as he posted 14 tackles and an INT against New Hampshire, 12 tackles and a TFL against Delaware, nine tackles and three hurries in the FCS playoffs against Youngstown State, and seven tackles, a TFL and a forced fumble against South Dakota State in the FCS quarterfinals. And don’t forget the nine tackles and two TFLs against FBS UCF. He didn’t beef up his numbers against weaker teams.
IVY
Kadari Machen, Penn, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 56 tackles, 6.5 TFLs
Machen got stronger as the season progressed last year, starting in the final seven games at strongside linebacker – posting 8-tackle games down the stretch against Columbia and Cornell in Ivy League play. He finished third on the team in solo tackles and TFLs. He comes from a family of standout football players, as his father played at Stanford, one brother played at Georgia Tech, and another brother plays for Harvard.
MEAC
Daylan Long, Norfolk State, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 41 tackles, 8 TFLs
Long was named to the All-MEAC Second Team in 2023, starting 10 games for the Spartans and playing some of his best football against FBS Temple (6 tackles) and the CAA’s Towson (5 tackles). He began his playing career at FBS Miami (OH) but transferred in and has now played in 21 career games for the Spartans. He plays the “Wing” in Norfolk State’s defensive alignment, and has already shown he can thrive in that spot.
MVFC
Amir Abdullah, Illinois State, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 64 tackles, 14 TFLs, 9.5 sacks
Abdullah, a Chicago native, was named an All-American on several media outlets’ lists after last fall. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound stalwart is already being looked at by pro scouts and they seem to like what they see based on several ratings. He was one of the top statistical leaders in TFLs last year, and should only improve on those numbers. Also, keep an eye on North Dakota State’s Logan Kopp in the MVFC.
2024 Preseason Preview Central
PATRIOT
Frankie Monte, Holy Cross, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 66 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 hurries
It has been a special couple of years at Holy Cross, and Monte is just one of the reasons for it. He has already been named preseason All-Patriot League and was elected team captain by his teammates. He was second on the team last year in tackles, posting a career-high 13 tackles in the game against FBS Army. He has performed in 35 career games and will be relied upon heavily in 2024.
PIONEER
Aiden McKinley, Dayton, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 87 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles
McKinley, who hails from Kentucky, has already played in 21 career games and is only halfway through his career – yet he exploded onto the scene in 2023. He was named an honorable mention All-Pioneer Football League selection last year. He turned heads when he posted more tackles in his first career start against MVFC power Illinois State (15) than he did his entire freshman season of 2022 (14).
SOCON
Ray Coney, ETSU, Soph.
2023 STAT LINE: 47 tackles
Coney, a native of Ohio, made a name for himself nationally when he was named to the Phil Steele Freshman All-American team, as well as the All-SoCon Freshman team. Coming out of high school, he had the opportunity to play on scholarship at FBS schools like Army, Navy, Air Force, and Bowling Green, but the Buccaneers won the recruiting battle.
SOUTHLAND
Eli Ennis, Nicholls, Jr.
2023 STAT LINE: 44 tackles, 5 TFLs
This Alabama native has been a solid contributor from day one for the Colonels, already contributing 20 career games of service, 89 career tackles, and 15 TFLs. He was a Freshman All-American selection with several media outlets and a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award. His stock will only rise in 2024.
SWAC
Jacob Williams, Texas Southern, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 106 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, 8 sacks
Williams led the team in tackles last year. He posted 62 tackles and had six TFLs the year before in 2022. He will surpass the 200 career tackles mark this year and may very well clear 300 by season’s end – and he is multi-faceted enough to man more than one defensive position, showing his versatility. Williams is among the top returning FCS leaders in TFLs and will be active all year. Also, keep an eye on Bethune-Cookman’s Dearis Thomas.
UAC
Demetrias Charles, Central Arkansas, Sr.
2023 STAT LINE: 72 tackles, 4 hurries
Charles is an interesting pick for this spot because he has proven himself playing on the inside, but pro scouting lists like Draft Scout actually like his potential at outside linebacker – so we chose to include him here as he is clearly one of the top linebacking talents returning in the UAC.
