MISSOULA — For the Montana Grizzlies football program, the linebacker position has long been the heartbeat of the defense. This season, even as the team installs a new defensive scheme under coordinator Eric Sanders, that tradition remains strong. Sanders, who also serves as the linebackers coach, has inherited a room filled with proven talent, veteran leadership, and a hunger to compete.

"I want us to compete for every inch, every play that they snap the ball, we're trying to stop them," Sanders said Tuesday. "That's the identity. We're not going to give anything up. And I think they're embracing that. They love that. And this kind of a fun thing about these kids here at University of Montana, you give them something, they identify with it."

The Grizzlies' defense saw significant turnover from last year, but the two returning starters both reside in the linebacker room. All-American Peyton Wing and All-Big Sky selection Solomon Tuliaupupu anchor the unit. Tuliaupupu, who received an NCAA waiver to play a ninth season, is also splitting his time during camp with the defensive line. He brings a unique versatility that allows him to shift between roles.

"It's been fun. It's cool because I get a little bit of what I used to play back in high school and last year and then kind of what I did most of my college career," Tuliaupupu said. "So it's been awesome. It's cool to learn this scheme and, you know, be able to play different pieces of the puzzle."

Joining them is Clay Oven, the Billings native who wears the program's legacy No. 37 jersey. Oven was a key part of the rotation in 2025 and is expected to take on even more responsibility. His experience within the system, paired with the new arrivals, creates a dynamic mix of familiarity and fresh energy.

"After a while you kind of get used to what you can and can't rely on and stuff, and who does what and you really kind of build off each other and kind of lift each other up throughout the day," Oven said. "It really is convenient to also have guys who you have played with in the past, but it's also nice to get new guys and kind of learn this new playbook with them."

Head coach Bobby Kennedy sees the linebackers as the driving force for the entire team. "It's great because the leadership, it's not just leadership for the linebacker group, but it's also the overall team," Kennedy said. "Like those guys are strong voices and they've done it here and they've done it well. And so it's good for those other younger guys to follow them."

Kennedy also noted the depth the unit has developed. "I think we have really good depth at the linebacker position. And guys are getting in the mix and they're making plays and they're, I think it's a really solid group."

Beyond the three key returners, the room is filled with new faces and rising stars. Georgetown transfer Nai Mose, Bowling Green transfer Justin Eklund, and San Diego State transfer Tanner Williams have all earned early praise for their work ethic and adaptability. Sophomores Styles Goodman and Colton Lentz, both highly touted since arriving in Missoula, have turned heads during camp and are expected to contribute significantly.

Sanders highlighted the collective leadership rather than a single dominant voice. "I think they all are leading each other," he said. "So just the togetherness, the joint leadership. Nobody's trying to boss anybody else around. They're just pushing each other. I love that."

Oven added that the new scheme is coming together thanks to Sanders' coaching. "It's just kind of learning the new scheme that kind of takes a sec," Oven said. "But, how I played the old defense is still going to be kind of the same intensity and effort and (what) I'm bringing to this new defense. It's just learning the new scheme, and (Sanders has) a bunch of little tips and tricks to help with that along the way."

Depth is a priority for the Grizzlies, and Kennedy said the team ideally wants to rotate six to seven viable linebackers. The blend of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers gives the coaching staff plenty of options. Tuliaupupu, who has seen the game evolve through the transfer portal era, appreciates the careful selection of teammates.

"It's been awesome. We brought in a lot of good guys, both on the field and off the field," Tuliaupupu said. "New era of college football is transfer portal. So a big part of it's finding the right pieces that fit character-wise, but also on the field. And I feel like we found those guys. It's been awesome."

The 2026 linebacker roster includes a mix of experience and youth: No. 10 Styles Goodman (SO, 6-2, 234, Austin, TX), No. 24 Justin Eklund (5th, 6-2, 235, Rocklin, CA), No. 31 Tanner Williams (JR, 6-1, 225, Orange, CA), No. 32 Peyton Wing (5th, 6-0, 229, Sumner, WA), No. 33 Taylor Jones (SO, 6-1, 205, Missoula, MT), No. 35 Cooper Neer (FR, 6-3, 205, Kennewick, WA), No. 37 Clay Oven (SR, 6-2, 216, Billings, MT), No. 38 Naiteitei Mose (5th, 6-0, 230, Euless, TX), No. 40 Colton Lentz (SO, 6-3, 213, Nooksack, WA), No. 50 Sam Merriman (SO, 6-0, 225, Seattle, WA), and No. 58 Solomon Tuliaupupu (GR, 6-3, 242, Pomona, CA).

With such a deep and talented group, the Grizzlies' linebacker unit looks poised to lead the defense through a season of transition and high expectations.