LINEBACKERS OUTLOOK
With a new position coach and significant turnover, the linebackers group will look much different in 2025 than it did a year ago.
Adam Breske enters his first season as the linebackers coach for the Bulldogs. He comes to Fresno State from Northern Illinois, where he was the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator. He follows defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto, who also made the move from NIU. With Breske and Benedetto on staff, the Huskies ranked fourth in the FBS in total defense last season and their top two tacklers were both linebackers.
Fresno State took a big hit at this position with the departures of seniors Tuasivi Nomura and Malachi Langley. The duo started all 13 games in 2024, with Nomura recording 110 tackles and Langley adding 86, leading the team by a wide margin. Together, they combined for 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, seven quarterback hurries, and four pass breakups.
This was one of the defense's most veteran groups a year ago, but none of the returners have a start at linebacker for Fresno State. However, Breske has added two Division I transfers to add some experience into the room.
WHO'S BACK: Tim Thomas has made significant strides this offseason and shown the potential to help replace some of the lost production. Thomas has played in 15 games through two seasons, primarily on special teams. In 2024, he recorded seven tackles.
"Tim is going to be on the field and help us a lot," said Breske. "He's a player that's waited his turn. He's been on special teams and worked his way up. He's doing a great job at running the show and showing leadership."
After redshirting his freshman season, Valley native Logan Studt is ready to take the field for the Bulldogs. A four-year varsity standout at Buchanan HS and a three-star recruit, Studt chose Fresno State over offers from Cal and Washington.
Another local product that utilized his redshirt season in 2024, Tytus Khajavi has had a good offseason and has put himself in a good position to earn playing time. The Clovis West graduate was a three-star recruit.
Justin Johnson made the position switch from defensive back to linebacker over the offseason. The group also brings back Seth Scheidt and Zane Rix.
WHO'S NEW: Two transfers and two true freshmen were added to the room.
Jadon Pearson brings experience as he's had stops at four different colleges. He started his career at Air Force (2020), then Reedley College (2021), Utah (2022-23) and Utah State (2024). With the Aggies, he played in 10 games, tallying 42 tackles (16 solo) along with three tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and a quarterback hurry.
K'vion Thunderbird spent two seasons at Arizona State. After redshirting in 2023, he played in nine games last season recording four tackles, one TFL and one sack.
Lucas Bluming attended Desert Mountain High in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he played linebacker, tight end and defensive end. The three-star recruit was a first-team All-Region and All-State selection. During his senior season, he had 72 total tackles, 22.0 TFL, 10.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Niko Baumgartner is a three-star recruit from De La Salle High. He was a three-year varsity starter who helped lead the team to three consecutive section titles and earned first-team all-league honors. As a senior, he had 85 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks and an interception. He is the brother of former Bulldogs' defensive lineman Kavika Baumgartner.
WHAT TO WATCH: The lack of experience at this position could be a concern for a defense that struggled to stop the run in 2024. However, the group has plenty of potential and talent. With many newcomers competing for playing time, healthy competition could bring out the best in this unit.