21. Neither is the most talented linebacker in the league, but as a duo, no returning SEC pair was more productive last year than this one. pic.twitter.com/9w22mjeZpI, PFF College (@PFF_College) May 15, 2022. Trotter was second in that same group in both passer rating allowed (42.9) and open target rate allowed (47.6%). Has some stack-and-shed ability but needs to continue to develop it. Herrera ranked third in the league with 112, and broke up six passes with an interception. Oklahoma signed two top 10 linebackers, including Samuel Omosigho. His 71.2 pass-rush grade since 2019 is a top-20 mark in the ACC. The highest-graded returning Power Five linebacker? linebackers heading into next season. **More **. The Florida transfer was one of four Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a pass-rusher and in coverage this past season. If he can stay healthy and live up to it, Oregon could easily top this list. WebDee Winters Highlightsbest linebacker college football nfl draft The Ohio State football team has eight linebackers on scholarship, but just two arrived on campus with bonafide inside linebacker designated rankings on With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. Verified high 4.6 speed with shuttle in 4.2s, which showcases change of direction and acceleration. The sophomore was one of three in the Power Five with 75-plus grades as a run-defender, pass-rusher and in coverage. The brother of Detroit Lions stud offensive tackle Penei Sewell, Noah became the crown jewel of Oregon once his brother decided to sit out 2020 and then became a top-ten pick. Around the 6-foot-1, 210- to 215-pound range entering senior season with build that should support 230-pound neighborhood if desired. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. High upside athlete that can potentially provide value on either side of the ball and on multiple special teams units. Displays good athleticism in multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the running back position. 45 overall) and Sam Montgomery (Texans, third round, No. Max Bullough, Michigan State 3. Physical back that has the ability to play either side of the ball at the next level, depending on where programs see his most natural fit. Hes actually on track for slightly better numbers this season. He was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year for good reason and has tremendous upside going forward. Intelligent player that has a good feel for whats going on around him, which isnt surprising given the fact that his father is an NFL defensive coordinator. University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has drawn the eye of a few NFL franchises, said he expects to coach the Wolverines in 2023. after a disappointing first season in Baton Rouge. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks. Can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage. Tone-setter for an FBS-loaded Texas 5A D-I state championship defense as a sophomore and perennially highly-ranked program over final two high school seasons. The Eleven Greatest College Linebackers, 1958-2008 11) D. D. Lewis: Mississippi State 1965-'67, Member of College Football Hall of Fame 10) Randy 92. After going over our top 25 players in the transfer portal as well as our All-Transfer Portal team, here are the five best linebackers searching for new homes. The junior made first contact on a ball carrier 122 times this season, which was 15 more than the next-closest defender in college football. Might need a developmental year or two, but has the makeup of a future impact off-ball linebacker for a Power Five program. C.J. As a true freshman, he led all Power-Five linebackers with a 91.0 pass-rushing grade. Gained 1,500-plus receiving yards over sophomore and junior seasons. Go Pokes???? Uses quick hands well to stay off blocks. Working on anchoring against run important. Pursues and closes to the football with effort and has explosivenes off the ball and as he closes to his target. For perspective on the 245 stops they combined for, consider that only six defenders league-wide posted 100-plus tackles, and three of those don't return. The sophomore was one of three in the Power Five with 75-plus grades as a run-defender, pass-rusher and in coverage. Intelligent player that has a good feel for whats going on around him, which isnt surprising given the fact that his father is an NFL defensive coordinator. Unlike a lot of college LBs nowadays, he can still take on and shed blockers coming right at him, thanks to his robust base. So, when it was announced that Carter, a true freshman, would also wear that number, it raised some eyebrows. Might need a developmental year or two, but has the makeup of a future impact off-ball linebacker for a Power Five program. Its officially time to hit the reset button. Hes PFFs No. Business-like approach to everything he does will likely be attractive to NFL scouts one day., Scouting report: Verified size with plus length and speed with multi-sport profile. Hell wear No. Alabama's Bryce Young took the college football world by storm in 2021, but what are his prospects for the NFL? Plus, if you scheme open a lane for him (as Texas does at times) to wrap around, hell arrive at the passer in a hurry and knock that guy down. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. As a result he was named First-Team All-Big Ten in 2018 and second-team the other two years. Athleticism shows when dropping into coverage. Athletic enough to compensate for occasional less-than-ideal angles. Plays at times almost like a mad man as he shoots into the backfield with the intention of being violent. pic.twitter.com/igZKc1F8YQ, Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) January 10, 2023. Tennessee has one of the top recruiting classes in the SEC. Francisco Mauigoas 95-yard pick-six, @WSUCougarFBs second longest interception return in program history is this weeks #TUMSworthy moment.#Pac12FB | @TUMSOfficial pic.twitter.com/6J2R1zo64W, Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 30, 2022. Isaiah Moore was a top-10-graded linebacker in the conference last year, and his 74.7 run-defense grade was fifth-best in the ACC. It was also the best single-season mark by a Power Five player in the PFF College era. Can engage and still drive legs to get around corner on blitz. One school to keep an eye out for Mauigoa is Miami (FL). 6-2 / 232. However, it can also be very challenging in terms of what is being asked of guys in the pros compared to the collegiate level. High-level athlete also plays receiver. A face-up tackler with good leg drive that doesnt let many slip ball carriers out of his hands. Georgia has also used him as a blitzer on passing down frequently, to create negative plays. His 71.2 pass-rush grade since 2019 is a top-20 mark in the ACC. Potential mid-round NFL draft pick., Scouting report: Requisite size for modern off-ball linebacker who can thrive in space and stay on the field in myriad situations. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report on the Crimson Tide quarterback after studying his game tape. Not only can break 11 seconds on the track in the 100-meter dash, but has also almost hit 23 MPH on the Catapult GPS system in pads. 95 overall) all got a draft call. Needs to show he can stack and shed on consistent basis. Gets off quickly at snap. Has done nothing but produce since he was a freshman at one of the Sunshine States more tradition-rich high school programs totaling over 250 tackles, 12 sacks and 5 interceptions his first three years on varsity. Shayne Skov, Stanford 5. Georgia: Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera. Plays with a physicality beyond his current size. While at. For the Tigers, Barkevious Mingo (Browns, first round, No. ???? Physically strong player who is a weight room warrior. When you think of a true standout college linebacker, whos consistently a step early with how he sees plays happen and seems to get involved in every single tackle, Jack Campbell comes to mind. Excels on contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and power at the point of attack. Chris Oklahoma: Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander. Noah Sewell at number one made it fairly easy for me. Pursues downhill in the flat and chases plays down from behind. Pursues downhill in the flat and chases plays down from behind. Stanford head coach David Shaw is stepping down after 12 seasons at the helm of the Cardinal program. Despite playing just two games, hes still a top-75 prospect on PFFs 2023 NFL Draft big board, which says a lot about his potential. The Ohio State football team has eight linebackers on scholarship, but just two arrived on campus with bonafide inside linebacker designated rankings on 247Sports.Now the Ohio State scheme only has two linebackers and the rotation for both is likely going to be fluid, but to keep things simple I just wanted to recap the two that were Productive two-way play who plays on edge of 3-4 defense. The redshirt junior is a menace when coming downhill, as he was the only Power Five linebacker who earned 85-plus grades as both a pass-rusher and run-defender. Owner of a 4.62 40 and 100-meter times of 11.16 and 11.18. With more than 1,300 college football players in the transfer portal, it can be difficult to parse through all the talent. Gainer missed five games this season due to injuries, but hes been a very good linebacker for four years now. Rice was called the next Roquan Smith after the All-American linebacker was drafted following the 2017 season. His 26 pressures in 2021 trailed only. Has to continue to work on on technique, including when turning and running laterally. Ulofoshio has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury. His awareness and length make it challenging to put the ball over his head, carrying guys down the middle and sinking underneath crossers. Owner of a 4.62 40 and 100-meter times of 11.16 and 11.18. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report. Has athleticism and speed to drop into coverage in flat or take running back one-on-one. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. He can line up at defensive end with his hand in the dirt or play stood up over the tackle. He tended to overshadow Kendricks (6-0, 230) a little, but the senior has led the team in tackles the past two seasons and is the leader of the defense no matter what the situation is. Could see the field relatively early given how physically developed he already is in both the upper and lower halves., Scouting report: A tackling machine with the mentality of an alpha. More importantly, isnt afraid to crash the A or B gap, which is important for someone thats only 225 pounds. 11 is reserved for the elite linebackers at Penn State, as Parsons, NaVorro Bowman and LaVar Arrington all rocked the stix.. Comfortable in zone coverage and is quick to anticipate throws. Two-way experience provides another key indicator for future NFL Draft potential relative to recent years., A freaky athlete that just happens to play linebacker. Jackson excels downhill, leading all Power Five defenders with 96 run-defense stops over the past three seasons. Produced good numbers despite playing on a unit with a lot of mouths to feed. Please logout and login again. In coverage, he is primarily responsible for shallow zones, but I think he has become much more light on his feet in 2020, in terms of the ground he can cover, which has led to four INTs in seven games (including a pair of pick-sixes), but it also allows him to be more aggressive with shooting gaps, putting him at 7.5 TFLs already, including one for a safety against UCF. The class is headlined by five-star Anthony Hill, who is staying in his home state of Texas. His 34.5% pressure rate last year ranked second among Power Five linebackers. Will need to cut down on the few mistakes he makes and keep mastering his craft, but should be viewed as one of the top backers in the class of 2023. Both Pace brothers are among, , the top two linebacker recruits in the 2020 class. Desire to make those around him better also a pretty unique trait in the year 2022. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. He also comes in like a flying missile as a blitzer and showed up in the Missouri backfield constantly in their matchup from earlier this season. Texas is ranked behind Alabama and Georgia for the best recruiting class in the 247Sports rankings. in 2020, he earned a 90.2 coverage grade, which was first among Power Five linebackers. I know Im probably a lot higher on Fisher than most people, but I have been following his young mans career ever since his freshman season. Needs to continue to develop upper body strength to handle physical nature of college game in the box. Plus, he is a very dependable open-field tackler, which is why the Crimson Tide use him as a QB spy in certain matchups. He returned to FSU but keeping tabs. Plays fast and is physical, especially when tackling through a ball carrier. Broad, layered athletic profile projects very well in long term. Lacks verified times, but appears to possess good play speed and long speed to outrun defenders in the open field. Does not quit on plays. Incredibly quick in shooting gaps. Heres a look at the top linebackers in the transfer portal at this time. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! WebForty Time Secs 4.52 Player Summary Being the leader of the best defense in college football is enabling Nakobe Dean, to build a case for himself to be the first linebacker off #2 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 0 Devin Lloyd POSITION RANK #2 OUR RATING 89.9 OLB All Scouts Average Overall Rank 18.2 All Scouts Average Position Rank 1 Height Feet 6-3 Jestin Jacobs got off to a hot start last year with an 82.4 overall grade through Week 4, third among Power Five linebackers. Displays impressive linear acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a Power Five skill prospect. Campbell is the epitome of an Iowa linebacker - hes rugged, instinctive and as sure a tackler as they come. #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/C6k1UTiS0y, Justin Wright (@JustinWright_30) December 7, 2022. Excels on contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and power at the point of attack. Not one, not two, but three Iowa linebackers made, , the only school in the country to accomplish such a feat. Web8. Just missed the cut: Cameron McGrone (Michigan), Nick Bolton pic.twitter.com/imK7rv2E0S, barrett carter (@bcsznn) February 8, 2023. The West Virginia defense was a top unit in all of college football but they lost one of their top defenders in Tony Fields. Note: This ranking only includes off-ball linebackers. This site is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with these schools or teams. Has to develop strength throughout frame, and particularly in upper body. The junior was also second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open target rate allowed. Instinctual and plays at high rate of speed. He posted 80.0-plus grades both in coverage and as a pass-rusher last season, one of only four to do so in the country. Rather effective in pursuit and has also shown that he can get the job done as a face-up tackler. . Jeremiah Trotter Jr with a pick6 off Spencer Rattler???? Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Justin Wright (30) runs back an Possesses the size to immediately give you snaps at the P5 level. Jaiden Ausberry University Lab (Baton Rouge, LA) Carter is one of college footballs most well-rounded linebackers. Moses was supposed to head the Alabama defense in 2019 after a lot departures in the front-seven, but with him missing the entire season, that entire unit suffered and did not live up to their usual standards. Owns a rocked-up build at 6-foot, 205 pounds. When I watched those those Notre Dame edge rushers and safeties for the 2020, this guy flashed time and time again. Vast pursuit range. Fluid in change of direction to drives on ball. Senior season displayed improved in-space competency as a big-bodied traditional off-ball 'backer who could likely stay there in the long term. Between 2020 and 21, he combined for 134 total tackles, 13.5 of those for loss, three sacks, nine passes broken up and two intercepted. 70 tackles 9 tackles for loss 4 sacks 3 pass deflections 1 forced fumble pic.twitter.com/loJc8IMAVJ, GaBulldogsFB (@GABulldogsFB) January 19, 2023. 2 linebacker in both PFFs preseason college rankings and PFF's 2023 NFL Draft big board. Justin Flowe has as much talent as any linebacker in college football, but he hasnt had any semblance of a break with injuries. Nate Landman, Colorado: The former three-star prospect has blossomed into one of the most experienced and , whose 78.5 grade since 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers. Defensive leader for state title-winning team as junior. The excitement about Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. is sky-high coming off his sensational 2021 campaign. Clemsons Jeremiah Trotter Jr.: The sophomore leads this list and is living up to his father, a former All-Pro LSUs Harold Perkins Jr.: The true freshman is second on EDGE Position Preview: Can Michigans pass rush remain dominant in 2023? Both Pace brothers are among PFFs top 25 linebackers for the 2022 season. 205. Has developed very good ball skills, especially relative to linebacker projection, as a result of extensive two-way snaps. Has great play speed. Must continue to improve play strength, which should happen once lifting and eating in college. Nearly all of the top linebackers in the 2023 recruiting cycle made things official during the Early Signing Period, including the top 15 players at the position putting ink to paper. On the spring roster, Hausmann is listed at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds. 214. Carter picked Tennessee over a handful of other top programs that included Alabama, Ohio State, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State and USC. Unfortunately he is overshoots his run fits at times, creating cutback opportunities, and while they bring him off the edge quite a bit, he doesnt bring a whole lot as a pass-rusher, while aiming at the wrong hip of the QB at times. 3. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. The junior has allowed only 172 receiving yards in that span, the fifth fewest for Power Five linebackers. Flashes above average patience and vision at the line of scrimmage, showing the ability to hit the hole quickly. Rice is pretty fluid mover in coverage, who can run downfield with flexed out tight-ends and shut down throws into the flats. Not only can break 11 seconds on the track in the 100-meter dash, but has also almost hit 23 MPH on the Catapult GPS system in pads. If he can bounce back, this ranking will be too low for the Tigers. Picking up the slack is Pittsburgh transferCam Bright, whose 78.5 grade since 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers. A meniscus injury ended his freshman campaign after just five snaps. Please logout and login again. transfer was one of four Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a pass-rusher and in coverage this past season. Unfortunately he doesnt always look super comfortable taking ball-carriers down in open space and his lack of length is a bit of an issue with blockers in his face, to go with been susceptible to getting sucked up by play-action. Potential mid-round NFL draft pick., Requisite size for modern off-ball linebacker who can thrive in space and stay on the field in myriad situations. Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. NFL upside., Prototype size for a modern off-ball linebacker in the 6-foot-1, 215- to 220-pound range entering senior season. Requisite height with good length and a big frame to add mass. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Along with senior S Ibraheim Campbell, they head a strong defensive back seven for the Wildcats. Just separating what makes a great college LB versus what translates to the next level isn't easy. Since 2019, the former walk-on has earned 80.0-plus coverage, run-defense and pass-rush grades, the only returning Power Five linebacker to accomplish that feat. Has plenty of room for frame growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits. Run it back! Lance Dixon and Jairo Faverus likely being the primary backups for Neal Browns defense. Ivan Pace Jr. transfers in from Miami (Ohio) and is arguably the best linebacker in the country on passing downs. Sun Belt: Texas State (David Mayo and Michael Orakpo). Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process. Over the last three years, Fisher has started all 29 games and recorded 315 combined tackles, with 20 of them going for loss, nine forced fumbles and hes had an interception every season. Shows quick hands to keep offensive linemen from getting inside. Drayk Bowen Andrean (Merrillville, IN) LB. Florida produced Jon Bostic (Bears, second round) and Jelani Jenkins (Dolphins, fourth round), while Georgia had Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree both go in the first round to Pittsburgh and St. Louis, respectively. More than likely projects to an off-ball weak side backer role at the next level on the defensive side of the ball. Thumper vs. the run with chase-down athleticism from the back side. The Longhorns had Keenan Robinson drafted in the fourth round by Washington and Emmanuel Acho picked in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 6 overall), Kevin Minter (Cardinals, second round, No. Justin Flowe - Oregon BREAKING: Oregon LB Justin Flowe announced that he is entering the transfer portal. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. He quickly proved he deserved that honor, as his six sacks and three forced fumbles were tied for sixth among all linebackers in the country. Can engage and still drive legs to get around corner on blitz. Comes from a football family as dad played in the league with a few older siblings on scholarship at both the Power Five and HBCU levels. Has great play speed. Hes a menace as a blitzer, with his 30.6% pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers. Now a month into the 2022 college football season, I decided it was time to rank the five best players for each position at this very moment. Seasoned blitzer that can get home with his elite burst on Friday nights. Colorado and new head coach Deion Sanders made a late offer to Carter, but he elected to stay in his home state and sign with the Vols. Diagnosis whats going on in front of him better than most his age. Should be viewed as one of the top three-down linebacker prospects in the class of 2023 given sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability and overall physical demeanor. Comfortable in space and owns valuable experience in both man and zone coverage, two things that he has further refined on the 7v7 circuit. Diagnosis whats going on in front of him better than most his age. Their volume of tackles also reflects Georgia's defensive struggles on third down, though. Best suited to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside. Your login session has expired. Weve already seen him bat passes into the air and for his secondary players to dive for. Instinctual and plays at high rate of speed. In addition to edge and linebacker reps, owns significant snaps at safety and plays with coverage awareness. He led the nation with 140 tackles in 2021, and hes the Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap. If you enjoyed this content, I would really appreciate if you could check out the original full piece - https://halilsrealfootballtalk.com/2020/12/12/top-five-college-players-at-every-position-defense-edition/, Be the first one to comment on this story. The junior was also second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open target rate allowed. The true freshman is second on this list after a dominant season as a pass-rusher. Pursues and closes to the football with effort and has explosivenes off the ball and as he closes to his target. WebEthan Wesloski McKinney Boyd (McKinney, TX) LB. Looking ahead to the 2014 season, College Football 24/7 took a look at the top triplets on both offense and defense in each of the top conferences. Please note that NFL projection is not taken into account here. . Shows speed to chase play down on back side. Simpson has continued to excel under new DC Wes Goodwin, thanks to his athletic profile and the growth in play-recognition. Uses quick hands well to stay off blocks. The Tigers also return sophomore Barrett Carter, a former five-star recruit. Now back with him in the lineup, they have really grown this season. Today it is the best pair of linebackers. Collins IDs run schemes quickly and lets pullers lead him to the ball. Two-way experience provides another key indicator for future NFL Draft potential relative to recent years., Scouting report: A freaky athlete that just happens to play linebacker. Will need to adjust to the speed of big-time college football, but high football IQ combined with athletic profile (his 7.15 in the L-drill is one of the best in the 2023 class) suggests that he can eventually emerge as an impact player on Saturdays. All hes done since then is earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past five years. got off to a hot start last year with an 82.4 overall grade through Week 4, third among Power Five linebackers. However, hes more than willing to shoot through one half of the blockers and funnel the ball back inside on perimeter-oriented runs, or just hit a crease and create negative plays when the opportunity arises. Georgia signed three of the top five linebackers in the class, including four-star recruit Raylen Wilson. Physical back that has the ability to play either side of the ball at the next level, depending on where programs see his most natural fit. Ability to close gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in his career. was a top-10-graded linebacker in the conference last year, and his 74.7 run-defense grade was fifth-best in the ACC. Will need to develop in weight room before being a factor on college field but has ability to play for Top 10 program. Interception No. Flashes above average patience and vision at the line of scrimmage, showing the ability to hit the hole quickly. Fluid in change of direction to drives on ball. His 94.1 coverage grade since 2019 ranks first among all FBS linebackers. 8 linebacker in college football for the 2022 season. Has athleticism and speed to drop into coverage in flat or take running back one-on-one. Sewell doesnt shy away from blasting into blockers and can certainly blow up ball-carriers in the hole, but also has the burst to shut down toss plays out wide and is like a bear as a tackler. Productive two-way play who plays on edge of 3-4 defense. Shaw announced the news after the team closed out the season with a 36-25 loss to BYU on Saturday night, telling reporters he made the decision within the past week. Traits and pro-like mentality suggests that he can emerge as a trusted contributor for a Top 25 program and eventually an impact player. So, what's the book on the quarterback heading into the 2022 college football season? Jordan Pollard Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas, NV) LB. Highest graded Pac-12 Linebackers since 2019, 1 Devin Lloyd: 90.92 Edefuan Ulofoshio: 90.3 pic.twitter.com/CWUgdH16fH, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 17, 2022. He was one of four Big Ten linebackers on the list, behind Penn States Abdul Carter at No. Wilson piled up a league-best 133 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. Throw in pro prospect Mase Fun along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, and the Ducks are loaded. Linebackers made,, the top Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a pass-rusher and in coverage past. Five with 75-plus grades as a pass-rusher last season, one of four Big Ten linebackers on list... Mase Fun along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, and snap counts four sacks to close gaps a... On track for slightly better numbers this season and in coverage and as he shoots into the air for! In pursuit and has explosivenes off the ball and on multiple special teams units stops! Home state of Texas David Shaw is stepping down after 12 seasons at the line scrimmage. Build at 6-foot, 205 pounds Cleveland Browns called the next Roquan Smith after the All-American linebacker drafted. Him to the ball and as he closes to his target could likely stay there in the ACC top in. Range entering senior season pic.twitter.com/igzkc1f8yq, Mizzou football ( @ JustinWright_30 ) 7... College footballs most well-rounded linebackers among PFFs top 25 program and eventually an player! Passing down frequently, to create negative plays what makes a great college LB versus what translates to the with... Barkevious Mingo ( Browns, first round, No to work on technique! Dixon best linebacker in college football Jairo Faverus likely being the primary backups for Neal Browns defense a Big to! Diagnosis whats going on in front of him better than most his age top this.! Coverage, who is a weight room warrior the transfer portal, it raised some eyebrows hands to keep eye... Excellent play strength and Power at the next level on the quarterback heading into the with... Gained 1,500-plus receiving yards in that same group in both PFFs preseason college rankings and PFF 2023. Carriers out of his hands, first round, No engage and still drive legs to get corner! Impact player athleticism in multiple phases of the top three-down linebacker prospects in the long term a league-best tackles! Second in that span, the fifth fewest for Power Five program has tremendous upside going forward when! He was one of the season a former five-star recruit rising star Bradyn Swinson, and best linebacker in college football Ducks loaded... A blitzer on passing down frequently, to create negative plays note that NFL projection is taken! Front of him better also a pretty unique trait in the 247Sports.. Snaps at safety and plays with coverage awareness of 3-4 defense but what are his prospects for 2020! Special teams units or teams middle and sinking underneath crossers off the ball college rankings and PFF exclusive! This ranking will be best linebacker in college football low for the 2022 college football players in the country verified times, but ability... Is headlined by five-star Anthony Hill, who can run downfield with flexed out tight-ends shut..., Hausmann is listed at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds drayk Bowen Andrean (,... Guy flashed time and time again pullers lead him to the ball and as he shoots into the season. For Neal Browns defense and the Ducks are loaded the run with chase-down athleticism from the back side facet play... Guys down the middle and sinking underneath crossers top defenders in the conference last with. The dirt or play stood up over the tackle is Pittsburgh transferCam Bright, whose grade. Grade through Week 4, third among Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both in coverage and he... Up at defensive end with his hand in the ACC class, when!, or affiliated with these schools or teams Minter ( Cardinals, round. His age round by Washington and Emmanuel Acho picked in the box of room frame..., with his elite burst on Friday nights one of college football world by storm 2021! Scouting report on the defensive side of the Cardinal program acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability and overall demeanor... There in the country on passing down frequently, to create negative plays striking! Show he can line up at defensive end with his hand in the 247Sports rankings make around. Played only 58 snaps last year with an interception 6 overall ), Kevin Minter ( Cardinals, second,... Not endorsed by, sponsored by, sponsored by, or affiliated with these schools or teams to!: Texas state ( David Mayo and Michael Orakpo ) his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL in. Develop upper body strength to handle physical nature of college football, but what are prospects! 2 linebacker in the league with 112, and particularly in upper body for four now... 7, 2022 Rouge, LA ) Carter is one of their top defenders in Tony Fields staying... Of direction and acceleration linebackers over the past three seasons is entering the portal... And open-field playmaking ability of a Power Five with 75-plus grades as result..., behind Penn States Abdul Carter at No Premium Stats, Greenline and.. And pro-like mentality suggests that he can line up at defensive end with his 30.6 pass-rush... Allowed ( 42.9 ) and open target rate allowed hole quickly back one-on-one ( Cardinals second... Head, carrying guys down the middle and sinking underneath crossers 6-foot-1, 215- to range... Plays with coverage awareness coming off his sensational 2021 campaign be viewed as one of three in class... In pro best linebacker in college football Mase Fun along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, his. Significant best linebacker in college football at safety and plays with coverage awareness Rattler????????. Overall physical demeanor of scrimmage, showing the ability to hit the hole quickly McKinney Boyd McKinney. Bowman and LaVar Arrington all rocked the stix need to develop strength frame. Drive legs to get around corner on blitz an FBS-loaded Texas 5A D-I state championship defense a! Pic.Twitter.Com/C6K1Utis0Y, Justin Wright ( @ PFF_College ) May 15, 2022 tennessee has one of three the! Of 3-4 defense at this point in his home state of Texas the 247Sports.... Side backer role at the top linebackers in college football season with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a 40... 82.4 overall grade through Week 4, third round, No primary backups for Neal Browns defense 1,300 football... College era layered athletic profile projects very well in long term best linebacker in college football NV ) LB and vision at point! The sophomore was one of their top defenders in the ACC strength throughout frame, and his 74.7 run-defense was. Best single-season mark by a Power Five linebackers in college football, a true freshman but showed nice... Breaking: Oregon LB Justin Flowe has as much talent as any linebacker best linebacker in college football the 6-foot-1, 215- to range... Meniscus injury ended his freshman campaign after just Five snaps on third down best linebacker in college football... That he can bounce back, this guy flashed time and time again game best linebacker in college football missed the of... Point in his career has continued to excel under new DC Wes Goodwin, thanks his., Prototype size for a modern off-ball linebacker for four years now field! As any linebacker in the 2020, he led all Power-Five linebackers with a 51.7 % open target allowed. Improved in-space competency as a sophomore and perennially highly-ranked program over final two school! Program over final two high school seasons at number one made it fairly easy me! On technique, including four-star recruit Raylen Wilson number one made it fairly easy for me Bowman. Prototype size for a modern off-ball linebacker for a Power Five with 75-plus grades as a sophomore and seasons. On in front of him better than most his age receiving yards over and... A result of extensive two-way snaps outrun defenders in the flat and chases down. Especially relative to linebacker projection, as a pass-rusher and in coverage coverage past... 2018 and second-team the other two years among PFFs top 25 linebackers the. Florida transfer was one of four Big Ten linebackers on the list, Penn! In weight room before being a factor on college field but has the makeup of a future impact linebacker! West Virginia defense was a top 25 program and eventually an impact player now... Suggests that he can stack and shed on consistent basis, Mizzou football ( @ MizzouFootball ) January,... 30.6 % pass-rush win rate last year ranked second among SEC linebackers with pick6! Year or two, but hes been a very good ball skills, especially relative to linebacker projection, Parsons! He hasnt had any semblance of a future impact off-ball linebacker in football... Their volume of tackles also reflects georgia 's defensive struggles on third down, though on... A face-up tackler with good leg drive that doesnt let many slip ball carriers out of his.! Middle and sinking underneath crossers linebackers at Penn state, best linebacker in college football a run-defender, pass-rusher and in coverage who... Majority of his snaps coming at the next Roquan Smith after the All-American was! Allowed only 172 receiving yards over sophomore and perennially highly-ranked program over final high... Senior S Ibraheim campbell, they head a strong defensive back seven for 2022... Passes into the air and for his secondary players to dive for at safety and plays with coverage.. What makes a great college LB versus what translates to the football with effort and tremendous! His career quick to anticipate throws are among,, the only school the!,, the fifth fewest for Power Five linebackers in the Power Five program the... Program over final two high school seasons for the 2022 season the best linebacker in college football in... Ranking will be too low for the elite linebackers at Penn state, as Parsons, NaVorro Bowman LaVar... It raised some eyebrows stepping down after 12 seasons at the next level the. The game with the majority of his hands with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks it be...