The 2026 FCS-to-FBS Transfer Rankings: Linebacker

The college football season is underway with thrills, spills, and FCS upsets over FBS during Week 1’s festivities. Transfers from across the nation played significant roles, including those who moved up a level to primetime. Who are the best FCS-to-FBS transfer linebackers that will make an impact as they level up in play? Are there any future draft picks on the horizon?

Notes: All statistics are courtesy of College Football Reference and various school websites, where applicable. Players are listed alphabetically, not ranked by talent, program fit, etc. 247Sports was the primary website used for rankings

You can find the positional rankings as they occur below:

Quarterback

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Line

EDGE

Interior Defensive Line

Starters

1. Cooper Blomstrom | 6’2 245 | Senior | Arizona

Transfer from: Georgetown

Blomstrom broke out in 2024 and continued his good run of form in 2025 for the Hoyas, resulting in an All-Patriot League First Team selection. He also earned a selection to the All-Patriot League Second Team in 2024. As a two-year starter, he posted 103 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, and five forced fumbles. He transferred to Arizona as a three-star portal recruit and the 160th-ranked EDGE by 247Sports. He’s off to a hot start in Tucson with eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one PBU as a starter at linebacker for the Wildcats. Arizona’s schedule has a few landmines, including showdowns with BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, and West Virginia. Bowl eligibility and an upper half finish in the Big 12 should be the goal for Arizona in 2026.

2. Cam Santee | 6’3 235 | Senior | UNLV

Transfer from: Holy Cross

Santee transferred to UNLV after a standout 2025 campaign that earned him an All-Patriot League First Team selection after producing 110 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five PBUs, and five forced fumbles. He projects to start for the Rebels’ defense in 2026, given his production at Holy Cross. 247Sports rated him as a three-star portal recruit and the 168th overall linebacker. Based on his listed size, Santee has the size and athleticism to compete at the next level. If he has a good 2026, there’s a chance that he gets the opportunity to shine at a postseason all-star game. The Rebels have the schedule to compete for the lone G6 playoff spot with some luck.

3. Peyton Seelman | 6’1 230 | Junior | North Carolina

Transfer from: Richmond

Seelman transferred to North Carolina after a standout 2025 season for the Richmond Spiders, which resulted in 247Sports rating him as a three-star portal recruit. He was ranked the 134th overall linebacker by the organization as well. The former Spiders star earned All-Patriot League First Team honors after producing 120 total tackles, five PBUs, and two interceptions. Seelman projects to start for the embattled Tar Heels program coming off a downtrodden 2025 season. It remains to be seen if he can hold onto a starting spot for the 2026 season. Still, the early returns remain questionable after registering only two tackles in the season opener.

4. Nathaniel Staehling | 6’2 238 | Redshirt Senior | Michigan

Transfer from: North Dakota State

Staehling entered NDSU as a zero-star recruit as a freshman and left for Michigan as a three-star portal signee and the 63rd-rated linebacker, according to 247Sports. He broke out as a senior with 75 tackles, six tackles for loss, four PBUs, and three interceptions in 2025 for the Bison. The Wolverines named him as a starter recently over more accomplished linebackers, so that’s a tremendous honor for the redshirt senior. Michigan should be highly competitive with new coach Kyle Whittingham in charge after the 2025 season ended in disaster and a dismissal. Staehling could see his draft stock climb even further with a good 2026 season. His production should portend good fortune for Staehling going forward.

5. Ashton Taylor | 6’0 215 | Redshirt Senior | MTSU

Transfer from: Jackson State

Taylor began his career at Tennessee Tech with a similar story to his FCS compatriots: a zero-star recruit looking to make his mark on the college football landscape. He transferred to Jackson State as a redshirt freshman and thrived there in two seasons. He produced 99 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, ten PBUs, and 5.5 sacks in 2024 and 2025 combined. 247Sports rated him as the 85th overall linebacker and a three-star portal recruit. The former Jackson State linebacker returns to the Volunteer State for the 2026 season as the Blue Raiders undergo a terrible transition under head coach Derek Mason. Taylor will likely start for MTSU as the team struggles for bowl eligibility.

Rotational Players

1. Brian Bates, Jr | 6’1 230 | Redshirt Junior | Sam Houston

Transfer from: Delaware State

The Bearkats linebacker signed as a zero-star recruit with Charlotte before he transferred to HBCU Delaware State, and he made the most of the new opportunity. Bates broke out in 2025 with 80 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception, which earned him All-MEAC First Team and HBCU All-America honors. The former Hornets star linebacker is slotted in as a rotational piece for the rebuilding Sam Houston program. He ranked as a three-star portal recruit and the 189th-rated linebacker, according to 247Sports. Sam Houston has a tough road to bowl eligibility with dates against Tulsa, Texas Tech, Liberty, and Jacksonville State on the schedule.

2. Michael Matthews-Canty | 6’3 235 | Junior | Auburn

Transfer from: Hampton

MMC started his career as a three-star safety recruit and converted to linebacker while with Hampton, given his listed size at 6’3 235. 2025 was his first season as a full-time starter, producing 78 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Ultimately, he started 18 games in two seasons, posting over 100 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks. Auburn is under new management, with former USF head coach Alex Golesh taking over in 2026. Golesh retained DC D.J. Durkin, who led the Tigers as interim head coach last season. Matthews-Canty is rated as a three-star portal signee and the 141st overall linebacker by 247Sports. MMC is one of a few HBCU transfers at the Power 4 level, attempting to elevate his game. He’s in line to play a key reserve role on the Plains as Auburn sets a new course under Golesh.

3. Montreze Smith, Jr | 5’11 214 | Redshirt Sophomore | Iowa State

Transfer from: Austin Peay

Smith transfers into the Cyclone program as a much-ballyhooed sophomore with solid production in 2025. He started his collegiate career with Duke as a three-star recruit and the 79th linebacker before transferring to Austin Peay last season. The linebacker earned First Team All-UAC honors, UAC Freshman of the Year, and Freshman All-American honors. Smith produced 74 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and three interceptions. He’s likely to play a key rotational role as a slightly undersized 4-3 linebacker for the Cyclones, with the potential to seize the starting job. Smith was rated as a three-star portal recruit and the 110th-ranked linebacker, according to 247Sports. Iowa State’s defense is littered with former FCS transfers, so he has the opportunity to make a name for himself among the top linebackers in the Big 12.