ELON — Few position groups on Elon's roster have a more established centerpiece than linebacker, where preseason All-American Brodie Carroll returns to lead a unit with competition, experience and developing depth around him.
 
Carroll, a redshirt junior, returns after becoming the centerpiece of the Phoenix defense during his first season at Elon.
 
Carroll led the team with 104 tackles in 2025, ranking sixth in the CAA. He also recorded 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles while producing four games with at least 10 tackles. Carroll closed the season with three consecutive double-digit tackle performances and earned second-team All-CAA recognition.
 
"Brodie's not been just a leader of the position group, but a leader of the entire defense and then the entire team," defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Casey Vance said. "He's doing a great job mentally and physically, but he pushes us all to be better."
 
That production has placed Carroll among the nation's most recognized returning defenders. He was named a second-team Stats Perform FCS preseason All-American, selected to the Phil Steele preseason All-America team and added to the preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the top defensive player in the FCS. Carroll was also voted to the preseason All-CAA team.
 
"It feels good to be recognized obviously, but I know that (the accolades) don't really mean anything until it's a postseason award," Carroll said. "They put more of a target on my back, which makes me excited to play."
 
While Carroll's place in the lineup is secure, Elon enters preseason camp with competition for the second starting linebacker position.
 
Sophomore Derek Hite and graduate student Carter Wyatt give the Phoenix two experienced options. Hite transferred from VMI after recording 61 tackles, three tackles for loss and two pass breakups as a freshman. He earned a spot on the Southern Conference All-Rookie Team and was named a fourth-team Phil Steele freshman All-American.
 
Wyatt brings familiarity with Elon's system after playing in all 12 games last season as a reserve linebacker and special teams contributor. The former Duke Blue Devil recorded multiple tackles against his old squad as well as Campbell and North Carolina A&T, giving the Phoenix a veteran option alongside Carroll.
 
The development of Ryder Duffy and Owen Moreland should also add depth to the rotation. Both have had time in the program to improve their understanding of the defense and prepare for larger responsibilities. Moreland appeared in four games as a freshman, making his first career tackle against Maine before recording two tackles and recovering a fumble against North Carolina A&T.
 
Freshman Cason Jones adds another athletic option. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker was a two-way standout at Mountain Heritage High School in Burnsville, finishing his senior season with 85 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and an interception. He also earned all-conference honors in football, baseball and basketball.
 
"The older guys have been an absolute blessing to help those guys," Vance said. "Carter (Wyatt) has been in multiple different schemes coming from Duke and Brodie was the man in the middle last year. I coach and teach them everything, but I think hearing it from a player's perspective, there's a lot of value in that."
 
With Carroll setting the standard, Elon's linebackers will look to combine proven production with increased competition and improving depth in 2026.
 
Linebackers Personnel
Ryder Duffy | R-Fr. | Roswell, Ga.
Derek Hite | So. | Loretto, Pa.
Cason Jones | Fr. | Burnsville, N.C.
Brodie Carroll | R-Jr. | Haymarket, Va.
Owen Moreland | R-Fr. | Beverly, Mass.
Gary Jones Jr. | R-So. | Washington, D.C.
Cohen Kilgannon | Fr. | Waxhaw, N.C.
Brady Morais | Fr. | Bernardsville, N.J.
Luke Edmisten | R-Fr. | Boone, N.C.
Carter Wyatt | Gr. | Shallotte, N.C.
 
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