Micah McFadden Leading New York Giants in Tackles Through 3 Games
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The New York Giants might have lost by multiple scores for the second time in three weeks, but that didn't stop Micah McFadden from doing what he does best.
The former Indiana linebacker for coach Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers led the Giants in tackles for the second time in three weeks. His 10 total tackles were a team-best during New York's 30-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. Nine of his 10 tackles were solo tackles, and four of them were tackles-for-loss (4.0 TFL).
With 26 total tackles through three games, McFadden is New York's leading tackler in 2023.
McFadden played at IU from 2018-21, and had a storied career on the football field for the Hoosiers. The playmaking linebacker might be on track for a storied tenure in New York too, as his sophomore season in the NFL has gotten off to a great start. McFadden was originally drafted by the Giants with the 146th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and saw decent playing time as a rookie.
He arrived as one of many defensive talents that Allen had recruited out of Florida, and immediately saw snaps as a true freshman. But it was in his sophomore season in 2019 that McFadden truly broke out as a star for the Indiana defense. He finished that season with 61 total tackles, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks, and helped IU reach an 8-5 record, one of the best in the history of the program.
The 2020 and 2021 seasons for McFadden were more of the same. He was named a team captain in both years, and played well enough in the Covid-shortened 2020 campaign that he was named a second team All-American by the college football expert Phil Steele, and a third team All-American by the Associated Press at the season's end. He was also honored as Indiana's Anthony Thompson Most Valuable Player for the 2020 season.
Though 2021 as a whole was brutal for the Hoosiers on the football field, McFadden still excelled. Though he fell short of All-American recognition, the senior linebacker was named first team All-Big Ten by Steele, and second team All-Big Ten by coaches and media. For the second season in a row, McFadden won Indiana's Anthony Thompson MVP award.
He finished his career at Indiana 216 total tackles, four interceptions and 37 tackles for loss — the sixth-highest TFL total in Indiana football history.
Though McFadden's counting stats with the Giants look great, the team's defense has struggled mightily. New York has surrendered an average of 33 points per game, and now sits at 1-2 in a division with three teams that are still undefeated.
Tune in on Monday, Oct. 2, to watch McFadden in his next NFL game, as the Giants attempt to right the ship against the Seattle Seahawks.
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