Love these lists.
Of course I'm a Van Waiters guy.
A bit surprised nobody in the IU media sphere carved out a niche this offseason doing short form conversations with former IU greats, and in general former notable players, talking about the National Championship and the awesome state of this IU football program.
I must have watched that Anthony Thompson interview on the BTN pre CFP a half dozen times.
Hell, Im even curious what Allen would have to say about his former players and recruits going 16-0.
@middawg It's pretty difficult to get a hold of these guys
https://www.si.com/college/indiana/football/indiana-football-top-10-linebackers-history
Thanks for your work......
My takes....
--I consider Waiters & Farrell to have been DEs rather than LBers, although I know that's the position they were assigned for ABT purposes...So I'd consider them apart from the others on your list.
--I'd rank Scales higher & Bates lower, but some of that is based on the eye test. Obviously they were different types of players. With regard to Scales, he was the only IU player to lead the BT in tackles from 2005 through 2025. I was blown away by how good he was in 2016. It's a crime that he was not 1st team ABT in '16. Interestingly, from 2005 through 2015 IU had no LBs that were either 1st or 2nd ABT---the longest draught of that kind since 1974.
--I really don't remember much about Bates.....I would call him quick and active. But I think there were better players on that D than he.
--As best as I can tell, since 1974 IU has had only 4 LBs (see above qualification) who were ABT 1st team on both the coaches & Media team: D. Thomas 1975; J. Norman 1978; M. McFadden 2020; and A. Fisher 2024 & 2025.
--I always liked watching Donnie Thomas play. That guy was thick & built low to the ground. A prototype 1970s BT MLB.
--I don't remember much about the circumstances....It was at a home game....I think it happened against OSU...but Joe Norman made the most amazing play I've ever seen from an IU linebacker. It was a 4th and 1 type play. He literally jumped over his own defensive line and stuck a TB running straight up the gut. Just a crazy-ass play. I think he was the single most dominant IU LBer ever. Of course, that was back in the 3 yards and a cloud of dust days in BT play.....
@mushroomgod Thanks for the input. Yeah, there were a couple of guys who would be a stand-up edge rusher these days. Joe Huff was one that we'll probably have with DL. It's fun to look back and write about and discuss.