Macklin Ayers brings pro-ready range and tackling juice to UMass
Ayers is a 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker with a clear calling card: he racks up tackles, moves sideline to sideline, and has enough versatility to handle both run support and pass defense. In 2024 at UMass, he posted 31 tackles in 12 games, and his résumé also includes 165 tackles over three seasons at Dartmouth, where he earned first-team All-Ivy recognition and served as a team captain. He looks like the kind of high-effort, high-football-IQ linebacker who can fit well in a defense that values reliability, range, and leadership.
