Preseason All-PFL selection Jeremiah Jackson highlights a talented linebacker position group for the Bulldogs. Joining Jackson at the second level will be three-year starter Tyson Garrett and redshirt senior Brayton Spetter.
 
"This year's linebacker unit brings a great mixture of experience and youth," Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker Coach Jordan Belfiori explained. "We have a couple of older guys with a ton of game experience and some younger guys ready to make an impact in 2025."
 
Jackson is a three-down linebacker that posted 35 tackles a year ago. Four of those 35 stops came behind the line of scrimmage and the Indianapolis native added six pass break-ups and three interceptions.
 
Garrett ranked fourth on the team last year with 43 tackles. He tallied 3.5 tackles for loss and added 1.5 sacks. BU will need to replace last year's leading tackler in Adam Sturtz. Three guys looking for more snaps in 2025 include Brayton Spetter, Mason Armstrong, and Jackson Stratton.
 
Spetter played in all 12 games last year and made 24 tackles. Stratton suited up for 10 and Armstrong was in the huddle for eight. Stratton finished the 2024 season on a high note with a sack and a tackle for loss at Presbyterian. Armstrong's best individual effort a year ago included four tackles vs. Stetson.
 
"It is a great unit to coach and the guys truly love playing together," Belfiori added. "They've done a great job buying into our new scheme and have taken ownership of being the "quarterbacks" of the defense. I'm excited to watch these guys run and hit on Saturdays this season."
 
Seven other Bulldogs will build up depth at the position. Ben Brandenburg, Tommy Diamond, Jackson Griffith, Oscar Kirch, and Tommie Aberle are all ready for year two in the program while true freshmen Zach Beitler and Payton Foley ramp up to make their collegiate debuts.
 
Butler will face Northern Iowa opening weekend playing in Cedar Falls on Aug. 30. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT). The home opener is set for the following weekend on Sept. 6. Butler will host Truman State at 1 p.m. Tickets for all games are on sale now!