Owen Carney Jr. is a proven sack creator with Big Ten production and a disruptive edge
Carney is a high-motor Illinois edge linebacker whose best calling card is pass-rush disruption: he finished his Illini career ranked ninth in program history in sacks with 15.0 and had a three-sack game against Purdue that tied for seventh-most in a game in Illinois history[6][1]. He also showed adaptability, transitioning from defensive end into outside linebacker in Illinois’ 3-4 defense while still earning two-time All-Big Ten recognition[2][6]. For a team, his appeal is straightforward: he brings proven pressure, toughness, and scheme flexibility, though his profile is more about attacking the backfield than being a pure coverage linebacker[2][6]
