Senior linebacker for Ohio. 2026: 3 games with a box-score line.
6′3″ · 227 lb · Mason, OH · Mason
CFB Index
A single number blending on-field production (an EPA-based value lane) with box-score output for this player's position.
0-100, scaled within each position's own cohort — not directly comparable across positions.
How he plays
Ranges from hash to hash and makes his own tackles.
Tackles: 100th percentile.
The full scouting readThe numbers
tackles · 2026 · through week 3
3 games into 2026 so far
Statement game16 tackles · 1 TFLat South Alabama (FBS) · L 36-41
Top 0.1% tackles game since 2021.
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
Senior linebacker for Ohio. 2026: 3 games with a box-score line.
The full story, with sourcesMichael Molnar
Ranges from hash to hash and makes his own tackles. Michael Molnar has played for three head coaches in four seasons at Ohio. 2025 brought the first one: MAC Defensive Player of the Week. The receipt: 16 tackles, 1 TFL against South Alabama — Week 3, 2026.
33 TACKLES · 0 SACKS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
Career arc
Coaching lineage · 2023–2026
3 coachesPlayed under 3 different head coaches: Tim Albin, Brian Smith, and John Hauser. Multi-era developmental context.
Game by game
Point color shows the opponent's defensive strength that week (red = weaker defense, blue = stronger) — dashed line is this player's own season average.
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 3 games
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | L 21-49@ Nebraska | 4 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 2 | W 29-27vs Jacksonville State | 13 | 8 | 2.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 3 | L 36-41@ South Alabama | 16 | 9 | 1.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 16 tackles |
| Total | 33 | 19 | 3.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2026
W 29–27
2 tackles for loss · 13 tackles · 8 solo tackles
A wire-to-wire battle — won by 2 at home.
With D. James-Hamilton — 3 tackles · 1 solo tackles · 1 defensive TD · M. Vezza — 80 yds · 1 TD · 0 INT · QBR 53.9 · 67 rush yds (12 car)
Since week 2: +16 tackles, +1 tackle for loss.
Season context · Team result + system
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Elite: tackles (100th percentile). Strength: solo tackles (99th percentile). Concern: passes defended (28th percentile).
Percentiles are versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score production. There are no play-by-play efficiency bars here: CFBD's play-value model credits offensive players only, so no defensive EPA exists to rank.
Defender profile · Production by role
Where his impact shows up on the stat sheet
Tackle volume
33tackles this seasonTFL rate
9%3 TFLSack rate
0%0 sacksPD rate
0%0 pass breakups33 tackles · 3 for loss.
Splits · Per-game
2026 season · 3 games
Home vs Road
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home1g | 13.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Road2g | 10.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
First half vs Second half
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-73g | 11.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
John Hauser
Pass share
43.4%
82 pass / 107 run
Plays / game
63.0
3 games
Team sack rate
7.6%
92 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning.
Player standing · 2026
Tackle volume for the position at the early end of the ladder.
Recognition
2026 outlook
Outside shot for All-MAC
Based on 2025: #24 of 55 Mid-American LBs
15% estimated, 95% confidence interval 13–17%. Base rate measured from players who finished at a comparable rank in their conference and came back the next season. It is an estimate from a small sample, not a forecast of this player.
Play style
Ranges from hash to hash and makes his own tackles.
CFB Index positional classification
Player DNA
Ranges from hash to hash and makes his own tackles.
His 2026 production profile sits closest to Garret Wallow’s 2019 season.
Matches Garret on
Differs from Garret on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a senior, his production profile tracks closest to Cody Lindenberg's senior season at Minnesota (2023).
Matches Cody on
Player DNA
2025: Appeared in eight games, making eight starts…tallied 73 total tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, 25 solo stops, and 1.5 sacks…Tallied first career sack against West Virginia (Sept. 6)...Named MAC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 8). 2024: Appeared in two games. 2023: Played in 13…
11 more on the roster · Ohio team page