YSU LB Wells back for more after breakout 2025 campaign

Youngstown State linebacker Mike Wells looks to build on his dominant junior season with new defensive coordinator Ryan Riemedio's scheme.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:20am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a linebacker making a tackle, with sharp planes of color and movement capturing the dynamism of the play.Youngstown State linebacker Mike Wells' aggressive, multi-faceted playing style is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration.New Castle Today

Mike Wells, a linebacker for the Youngstown State Penguins, is returning for his senior season after a breakout 2025 campaign where he led the Missouri Valley Football Conference in sacks and tackles for loss. Wells, who is from nearby New Castle, Pennsylvania, decided to stay at YSU rather than enter the transfer portal, citing his close relationships with teammates and the importance of being close to his family. This spring, Wells and the Penguins defense are adjusting to a new defensive scheme under new coordinator Ryan Riemedio, which will have Wells playing more outside linebacker and providing more flexibility to move around the field.

Why it matters

Wells' decision to stay at YSU rather than transfer is a testament to the program's growth and the strong bonds between the players. His continued development and leadership will be crucial for a Penguins defense looking to build on a solid 2025 season. The new defensive scheme under Riemedio also presents an opportunity for Wells to showcase his versatility and potentially improve his NFL draft stock.

The details

In his junior season, Wells finished with 50 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, 11 QB hurries, 4 pass breakups, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles. Those numbers earned him First-Team All-MVFC and FCS All-American honors. This spring, Wells and the Penguins defense are adjusting to Riemedio's new scheme, which will have Wells playing more outside linebacker and providing more flexibility to move around the field. Riemedio is looking to install a more 'multiple' defense with three- and four-down linemen, disguised blitzes, and mixed coverages.

  • Wells finished the 2025 season with his dominant stats.
  • The Penguins are currently in spring practice, with 11 practices completed and 4 remaining before the annual Red-White Game on April 18.

The players

Mike Wells

A linebacker for the Youngstown State Penguins who had a breakout junior season in 2025, leading the Missouri Valley Football Conference in sacks and tackles for loss. The New Castle, Pennsylvania native decided to return to YSU for his senior season rather than enter the transfer portal.

Doug Phillips

The head coach of the Youngstown State Penguins, who praised Wells' development and is looking for him to continue improving in his senior season.

Ryan Riemedio

The new defensive coordinator for the Youngstown State Penguins, who is installing a new defensive scheme that will feature more multiple looks and flexibility for players like Wells.

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What they’re saying

“He has the size, he has the strength and he has the speed. We knew that when he was in high school. Just to see him put it all together, that's what you work for as a coach. You want to see a young man having success on the field. That's what you imagined when he was 18 years old. To see that, it makes all of us proud.”

— Doug Phillips, Youngstown State Head Coach

“It's really important that we kept the guys that we needed to. I think that goes to show our brotherhood. Me, Des [Leigh] and Beau [Brungard] all came in together, so we're all pretty close. We value each other's time, and we value each other's efforts. So it would have been a waste if we didn't all stick together. I wasn't raised to care about money. That's really the reason people transfer nowadays.”

— Mike Wells, Youngstown State Linebacker

“Another thing was just being able to hug my mom after the game. I'm 35 minutes away from home, and getting that hug after the game, there's nothing like it, man. So I chose to stay here and play for my family and play for the people that love me.”

— Mike Wells, Youngstown State Linebacker

What’s next

The Penguins will hold their annual Red-White spring game on April 18, which will give Wells and the defense another opportunity to showcase their progress in Riemedio's new scheme.

The takeaway

Mike Wells' decision to return to Youngstown State for his senior season, despite the opportunity to potentially transfer and earn more NIL money elsewhere, demonstrates the strong culture and brotherhood within the Penguins program. His continued development and leadership will be crucial as the defense adapts to a new coordinator and scheme, with the potential to elevate Wells' NFL draft stock.