Led by co-defensive coordinator Bo Revell (inside linebackers), Darryl Blackstock (rush ends) and Kevin Jarrell (field linebackers), the Tribe's linebacking unit will have a new look this season following the graduation of three starters. However, the group, which features a pair of talented grad transfers in preseason All-American Luke Banbury (Cornell ) and Jorden McDonald (Virginia Tech), includes a number of experienced players, highlighted by returners Elijah Rainer, Harrison Johnson and Jaden Boring who all have starting experience.
 
Inside Linebackers
MIKE Linebackers
Luke Banbury • Graduate Student • 6-2, 230
• Grad transfer from Cornell who earned first-team All-Ivy League honors last season after totaling a league-leading 87 tackles with 2.5 sacks, 6.0 TFL, two interceptions, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries
• Appeared in 30 games at Cornell and totaled 141 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 8.0 TFL
• Preseason All-America by Phil Steele
• Preseason All-CAA
• Big, physical athlete
• Smart player with tremendous game experience
 
Kyle Reviello • Junior • 5-11, 210
• Saw action in 11 games last season and recorded three tackles
• Standout on special teams
• Possesses good size and plays with a physical style
• Extremely intelligent
• CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
 
Xavier Dillard • Freshman • 6-2, 200
• Talented freshman who totaled 264 tackles (205 solo), 26.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks and four interceptions as a three-year captain at Lightridge High School (Aldie, Va.)
• Chose W&M among 16 Division I offers
• Tremendous potential
• Big, long athlete who has excellent speed and quickness
• Displays excellent pursuit of the ball and moves well ins pace
• Strong and disruptive
• Plays with a high motor
 
 
WILL Linebackers
Elijah Rainer • Sophomore • 6-0, 225
• Appeared in 10 games and earned six starts last season
• Finished the fall with 18 tackles, a TFL, half sack and pass breakup
• Physical player with great instincts
• Great understanding of defensive schemes
• Excellent vision and anticipation
• Exceptional speed
• CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
 
Harrison Johnson • Sophomore • 6-0, 225
• Saw action in all 12 games last season as a freshman and earned a start
• Finished his debut season with 39 tackles, a sack and 2.0 TFL
• Very talented linebacker who is expected to earn an expanded role this season
• Successfully used the offseason to gain speed, strength and knowledge of the defense
• Very strong and extremely athletic
• CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
 
Ryan Matheny • Redshirt Freshman • 6-1, 220
• Transfer from Ohio who redshirted his freshman year
• Fast and explosive linebacker
• Very athletic
• Possesses good quickness
• Will earn increased reps as he gains experience
 
Stephon Hicks • Sophomore • 6-2, 215
• Transfer from Virginia Tech
• Versatile linebacker who can play inside or outside
• Long athlete with a great skill set for the position
• Tremendous potential

 
Outside Linebackers
Rush Ends
Jorden McDonald • Graduate Student • 6-4, 225
• Grad transfer from Virginia Tech who appeared in 32 games for the Hokies
• Excels as a pass rusher and is electric off the edge
• Great athlete, who is strong, quick and explosive
• Provides a versatile skillset after excelling as a defensive back in high school
• Strong against the run and can also cover well in space
• Veteran who works hard and provides great leadership
 
Clayton Dobler • Sophomore • 6-4, 245
• W&M QB Club Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year last season
• Appeared in nine games in 2024 and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the win against VMI
• Has shown tremendous development the past two years and has great potential
• Expected to earn an increase role this season after limited playing time last fall
• Fast, explosive and tough linebacker
• Great work ethic
• CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
 
Cade Mattive • Junior • 6-3, 240
• Saw action in 10 games last season and totaled four tackles and a forced fumble
• One of the team's most athletic players
• Versatile linebacker who can play inside or outside
• Good knowledge of the defense
• All-conference caliber standout on special teams
• CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
 
Stewart Harrington III • Junior • 6-2, 230
• Appeared five games the last two seasons but expected to earn an increased role this fall
• Exceptionally smart player who has a great understanding of the defensive scheme
• Special teams standout
• Consistently developed during his career
• Plays with a passion for the game
• CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
 
 
Field Linebackers
Jaden Boring • Sophomore • 6-4, 235
• Saw action in 10 games last season and earned three starts
• Finished 2024 with 20 tackles and a pass breakup
• Physical player with imposing size
• Outstanding competitor who is highly motivated and plays with an edge
• Productive offseason gaining strength and speed
• Extremely smart player who will graduate a year early  
• CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
 
Jake Worthen • Sophomore • 6-3, 220
• Saw action in nine games last season
• Long, athletic linebacker
• Quarterback in high school, who transitioned to defensive back before moving to linebacker
• Showed great athleticism during the spring
• Added significant strength during the offseason
• CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll
 
Jayden Platt • Sophomore • 6-1, 215
• Appeared in all 12 games last season
• Posted a good spring game and earned a lot of reps during the spring
• Extremely smart and driven to succeed
• Versatile player who has experience as a defensive back
• Productive offseason with the strength & conditioning program
• CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll

W&M enters the 2025 campaign having posted four consecutive winning seasons, marking the first time the program has accomplished the feat in the last 25 years.
 
The Tribe opens its season at Furman on Aug. 30, while it will host Maine for its home opener on Sept. 6.

Season tickets, mini plans and single-game tickets are available at TribeAthletics.com.

Learn more about the enhanced fan experience at Zable Stadium for the 2025 season, including security improvements, pre-game areas, shuttle service, the new Kids Zone, fan experience upgrades, and more at TribeAthletics.com. 

Be sure to follow the Tribe through the team's social media accounts @WMTribeFootball on X, Instagram and Facebook.