Carson Bruener among PFF’s top-graded returning Big Ten linebackers

Carson Bruener is expected to be one of the country’s best linebackers in 2024.

Linebackers coach Robert Bala has one of the Big Ten’s best players at the position at his disposal in Carson Bruener. The senior was utilized in a reserve role in 2023 but was still extremely effective during Washington’s run to the national championship, finishing third on the team with 86 tackles, which earned him a 77.9 grade from Pro Football Focus.

That’s good for the No. 9 highest-graded returning linebacker in the Big Ten, and his grade should only improve in 2024, especially if you ask his former teammate, Edefuan Ulofoshio.

“On the field, he’s very instinctual,” Ulofoshio said at the NFL combine. “With a lot of players, they’re either very instinctual and unathletic or very athletic and not instinctual, Carson is a good combination of both. He’s tall, very fast, and he’s also a really good student of the game. I think that will really help inject him into a top-tier linebacker spot next year.”

He added 4 pass breakups, an interception, and a forced fumble to his stat line and has become one of the Huskies’ leaders as the team moves into the Jedd Fisch era and should thrive in defensive coordinator Steve Belichick’s scheme.

In his final year of eligibility, Bruener’s speed and intelligence should be a critical asset against some of the run-heavy teams that they will face in the Big Ten. While there’s a lot of uncertainty all around Washington’s roster, linebacker is one position the coaching staff doesn’t need to worry too much with Bruener leading the charge.