ODU’s tackling tone-setter and rising Sun Belt linebacker
Koa Naotala is a high-effort, old-school middle-of-the-defense linebacker whose best trait is production: in the 2024 season, he led Old Dominion with 88 tackles, added 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup, and earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors. He began as a walk-on, became a scholarship player and team captain, and was described by ODU as a special teams standout before breaking out on defense—exactly the kind of gritty, reliable presence coaches love.
