Zakye Barker, North Texas LB: the 2026 season story
Zakye Barker is a senior linebacker for North Texas (American Athletic). He ranks 153rd of 930 linebackers in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every linebacker on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Knowing the one or two things a player does best, and where he is ordinary, says more than any single total. Zakye Barker's strongest measure is tackles per game at 7.9, 44th of 459 (the average is 5.1). His weakest is interceptions per game at 0.00, 106th of 459 (the average is 0.03).
Season production
Why it matters. Totals reward staying healthy and getting the ball; per-game numbers show how much he really carries each week. His tackles per game, 7.9, ranks 44th among 459 ranked linebackers.
Against every linebacker
Why it matters. Splitting the measures into how much, how well and how many big plays shows what kind of linebacker he is. Among ranked linebackers he sits, on average, in the 91st percentile for volume and 42nd for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A season average can hide a player who is great one week and absent the next; game by game shows how dependable he is. Over 9 games, Zakye Barker's best came in week 4 against Houston Christian and his quietest in week 6 against Charlotte.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. Where and how a player makes his plays shows how his team uses him and what a defense has to take away.
National and conference
Why it matters. A national rank shows how a player stacks up beyond his own league, where the competition can be very different. Zakye Barker is 122nd of 459 FBS linebackers and 9th of 48 in the American Athletic. Next up nationally is Coby Owens of Georgia State, 0.02 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. Past seasons show whether this year is a breakout, a steady climb or a step back. His best season by the Player Index was 2024 at East Carolina, 51st of 565 linebackers.
Linebackers like him
Why it matters. Comparing a player with his closest statistical matches puts his season in context beyond the rankings. His closest match this season is Antwan Peek Jr. of Cincinnati.
