in 2020, he earned a 90.2 coverage grade, which was first among Power Five linebackers. Comfortable in space and owns valuable experience in both man and zone coverage, two things that he has further refined on the 7v7 circuit. The three best linebacker transfer classes. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Has great play speed. 45 overall) and Sam Montgomery (Texans, third round, No. Also posted a 45-6 shot put PR during junior track and field season and played heavy minutes for his basketball team in Winter 2021-22. C.J. While at. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. NFL upside in an era where so many teams want to air it out., Unverified at 6-foot-3 and 200-pounds, appears to possess an athletic frame with growth potential to add additional weight to his frame. 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. In addition to edge and linebacker reps, owns significant snaps at safety and plays with coverage awareness. As just a true sophomore, Francisco Mauigoa was the Pac-12s second-highest-graded linebacker, earning a 75.8 mark. 15, the same number he wore at Nebraska. Jaiden Ausberry University Lab (Baton Rouge, LA) Can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage. The junior was also second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open target rate allowed. Not only gets downhill in hurry, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier. Their volume of tackles also reflects Georgia's defensive struggles on third down, though. His three forced fumbles were also tied for sixth in the country. A downhill inside runner that plays in a triple option offense, Perkins has the ability to project to both a power or zone scheme at the next level. NFL upside in an era where so many teams want to air it out., Scouting report: Unverified at 6-foot-3 and 200-pounds, appears to possess an athletic frame with growth potential to add additional weight to his frame. Owns a rocked-up build at 6-foot, 205 pounds. Will need to develop in weight room before being a factor on college field but has ability to play for Top 10 program. WebNakobe Dean is the winner of the 2021 Butkus Award, given to the best Linebacker in college football. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks. Already established as a hammer, showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season. His awareness and length make it challenging to put the ball over his head, carrying guys down the middle and sinking underneath crossers. ESPN names three U-M assistants as coaches to watch in 2023. Top 10 returning off-ball linebackers in college football Now Exree Loe steps up to man the MIKE leaving Chandler-Semedo at the WILL. Hes ready to go on the outside, and leading tackler Noah Sewell can do it all in the middle. Buy Sooners Tickets. All hes done since then is earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past five years. pic.twitter.com/igZKc1F8YQ, Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) January 10, 2023. , the sophomore linebacker has lived up to his fathers name and then some. Tuakoi has sky-rocketed up the recruiting rankings going from an unranked prospect to a 4-star recruit on Rivals and the college offers have flooded in accordingly. Needs to show he can stack and shed on consistent basis. Thumper vs. the run with chase-down athleticism from the back side. Uses length well when breaking down. 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. Uses quick hands well to stay off blocks. Washington States Travion Brown: Arizona States new linebacker has dominated in coverage over the past two seasons. Drew Brees' next step in his post-playing career will put him back on a field. Naturally low center of gravity and impressive core balance allows him to change directions without wasting much, if any, motion. Has to develop strength throughout frame, and particularly in upper body. Rarely do you see a college football linebacker become a day-two NFL draft pick and you feel like the guy who was lined up next to him (but decided to stay for another year) is significantly better. Interception No. 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. You can sharpie in Harold Perkins in for LB1 in 2025. pic.twitter.com/95JJMe0Tgd, Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) November 12, 2022. These power rankings are adjusted based on coach, quarterback and the market each season. Odds & lines subject to change. 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. "While no one knows what the future holds," Harbaugh said in a statement released on Twitter on Thursday, "I expect that I will be enthusiastically coaching Michigan in 2023.". AAC: Houston (Derrick Mathews and Efrem Oliphant). Brown will stay in the Pac-12 next year, as hes transferring to Arizona State. He also only missed 4.9% of his tackle attempts last year, the fifth-lowest rate among Power Five linebackers. Instinctual and plays at high rate of speed. Will eventually need to find better leverage and get adjusted to the speed of the college game, but should be viewed as one of the top linebackers in Florida for the 2023 recruiting cycle given how he moves and plays the game. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. Measured roughly 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds spring before senior season. If Ulofoshio was fully healthy, Washington would be higher on this list. . MAC: Bowling Green (D.J. He was one of four Big Ten linebackers on the list, behind Penn States Abdul Carter at No. Please logout and login again. Has speed to get around tackle on blitzes. Weve already seen him bat passes into the air and for his secondary players to dive for. 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. 4 on the season ???? Buy Sooners Tickets. Hes actually on track for slightly better numbers this season. However, while I like the patience he displays in reading run schemes, he is a little too conversative for my taste and when big linemen work up to him, he struggles to disengage. Plus, he is a very dependable open-field tackler, which is why the Crimson Tide use him as a QB spy in certain matchups. 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. The excitement about Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. is sky-high coming off his sensational 2021 campaign. Stroud after his sensational first season as the Buckeyes' starter. Long-term positional home has been in question in the past, but functional athleticism and playmaking ability are not. He joins the Michigan defense after playing 12 games at Nebraska as a true freshman, where he recorded 54 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery. As the 2020 college football season winds down, 2021 NFL Draft talk will heat up. His short-area explosiveness to beat blockers to the spot and flat-out speed to run down plays all over the field really pops. Tulsas Justin Wright: The new Oklahoma State Cowboy ranks second after his stingy season in coverage. Athletic enough to compensate for occasional less-than-ideal angles. Closes well on ball carriers. 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. The former top-40 recruit earned a 71.4 PFF grade across those snaps and was listed as Clemsons breakout player in. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Ivan Pace Jr. didnt allow a TD in coverage last season ???? Best suited to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside. WebEthan Wesloski McKinney Boyd (McKinney, TX) LB. Anyone else miss watching Abdul Carter wreck havoc on opposing offenses? He was already a stud as the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection in his second season, but I also love what he offers the NFL. His 34.5% pressure rate last year ranked second among Power Five linebackers. Displays good short area explosiveness and change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field. There is big-time buzz about Ohio State's C.J. @WSUCougarFB Travion Brown #GoCougs | #CougarSportsAwards pic.twitter.com/ciEARYpBjb, Washington State Athletics (@WSUCougars) May 1, 2020. Can engage and still drive legs to get around corner on blitz. We have not seen him asked to drop back and cover as much so that is a part of his game that needs to be furthered evaluated although he looks like a good enough athlete to do that., (Photo: @USC_FB, IG: tackett_curtis4, 247Sports), Nichelson is among the most athletic linebackers in the region. Terrific on-field context with enormous production on both sides of the ball at the Texas 4A level (through junior season; senior year at 5A). Headlining Oregons unit is Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell, the top two linebacker recruits in the 2020 class. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. His 26 pressures in 2021 trailed only Trenton Simpson among ACC linebackers. Seasoned blitzer that can get home with his elite burst on Friday nights. Might not be as long as schools want in an edge-rusher so he projects more as a traditional outside backer who can blitz off the edge when needed. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process. But with Marc Munford, Ed Steward, Jerry Moses has the speed to scrape over the top of blockers and take away angles towards the sideline, limiting the amount of big plays against the Crimson Tide defense. Rice was called the next Roquan Smith after the All-American linebacker was drafted following the 2017 season. , whose 78.5 grade since 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers. couldnt make you understand even if i tried to explain.. Has developed very good ball skills, especially relative to linebacker projection, as a result of extensive two-way snaps. pic.twitter.com/gW025vAkJh, PFF College (@PFF_College) July 26, 2022. 9 amongst his peers across the nation. The Ohio State football team has eight linebackers on scholarship, but just two arrived on campus with bonafide inside linebacker designated rankings on 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. Jones was the second-highest-graded linebacker in the ACC last season with a 75.6 mark. Both are experienced seniors -- and experienced playmakers. Scouting report: Nichelson is among the most athletic linebackers in the region. Has great play speed. Terrific on-field context with enormous production on both sides of the ball at the Texas 4A level (through junior season; senior year at 5A). Excellent closing ability on defense. Flashes chase-down speed with an exceptionally broad pursuit range. LSU is one of only four schools with multiple linebackers in PFFs top 25. Nate Landman, Colorado: The former three-star prospect has blossomed into one of the most experienced and UCF, with Branden Jenning s (from Kansas State), Jason Johnson (Eastern Illinois) and Terrence Lewis (Maryland). He may not be super rangy in coverage. 2 linebacker in both PFFs preseason college rankings and PFF's 2023 NFL Draft big board. If he can stay healthy and live up to it, Oregon could easily top this list. Now hell be making plays for @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/gxdj5GDjOP, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 5, 2022. He is really sudden in his movements when the ball gets to the edge and he quickly flashes against screen passes. Plays fast and is physical, especially when tackling through a ball carrier. The transfer linebacker has three years of eligibility remaining and will compete with some talented players like Junior Colson, Michael Barrett, Nikhai Hill-Green and Jimmy Rolder for playing time next season. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data. Here's a look at the toplinebackersper the 247Sports rankings and where they landed: Scouting report: Possesses frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed or quickness. Has plenty of room for frame growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits. Rice is pretty fluid mover in coverage, who can run downfield with flexed out tight-ends and shut down throws into the flats. So, what's the book on the quarterback heading into the 2022 college football season? Pursues downhill in the flat and chases plays down from behind. Might need a developmental year or two, but has the makeup of a future impact off-ball linebacker for a Power Five program. Curtis elected to go to the West Coast and sign with the Trojans. The top 10 linebacker corps in college football ahead of the 2022 season 1. Defensive Captains with signal-calling experience are highly desirable for inside linebackers. With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. Heres a look at the top linebackers in the transfer portal at this time. , but what about the best position groups? For a detailed analysis of nearly every FBS team, check out PFFs 2022 College Football Preview Magazine. Desire to make those around him better also a pretty unique trait in the year 2022. Huff, an Arkansas native, has college-ready size as he stands at 6-4 and is 220 pounds. With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. Displays good short area explosiveness and change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field. Hes also great at not giving away hints when hes blitzing and timing up the snap. Senior season displayed improved in-space competency as a big-bodied traditional off-ball 'backer who could likely stay there in the long term. Ulofoshio has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury. A face-up tackler with good leg drive that doesnt let many slip ball carriers out of his hands. Thumper vs. the run with chase-down athleticism from the back side. Defensive leader for state title-winning team as junior. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. He was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year for good reason and has tremendous upside going forward. He is one of those guys who shows up around the ball constantly and thats how he came up with a huge fumble return TD against Clemson earlier this season, as a pitch went off the hands of Travis Etienne. Measured roughly 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds spring before senior season. 214. Shows surprising hands-catching acumen and big-play speed as a receiver. Not one, not two, but three Iowa linebackers made PFFs top 25 list, the only school in the country to accomplish such a feat. If Ulofoshio was fully healthy, Washington would be higher on this list. Around the 6-foot-1, 210- to 215-pound range entering senior season with build that should support 230-pound neighborhood if desired. Owusu-Koramoah came in as a three-star safety recruit and he stills has that slim buld at 61, 215 pounds, as well as that kind of skill-set with freakish athletic ability. 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. Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) and defensive end Regan Upshaw (53) tackle Syracuse receiver Trebor Pena (29) during the first quarter at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York, Friday, October 15, 2021. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Plays with a physicality beyond his current size. Excellent overall athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context. Subscribe to 247Sports YouTube for the latest college football, basketball and recruiting news including live college commitments. 11 in PFFs preseason ranking. Has been nothing but productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles and five sacks as a junior. Understands how to stack and shed, and can do it at a high level. 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. Isaiah Simmons Highlights (BEST LINEBACKER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL) clemson lb highlights isaiah simmons. Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap. 217 20 2. among ACC linebackers. Will need to develop in weight room before being a factor on college field but has ability to play for Top 10 program. , who looked solid as a reserve in 2021 with a 75.0 grade on 150 snaps. In the pass game, he has a safety-like skill-set, with a very natural ability to move any direction and take away throwing windows. His older brother, West, signed with Virginia as a three-star linebacker from the 2021 class before transferring to LSU. 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. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Multi-year starter with possible early-impact ability for Top 20 program. Hes a menace as a blitzer, with his 30.6% pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers. He also only missed 4.9% of his tackle attempts last year, the fifth-lowest rate among Power Five linebackers. The Longhorns had Keenan Robinson drafted in the fourth round by Washington and Emmanuel Acho picked in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns. 3. High upside athlete that can potentially provide value on either side of the ball and on multiple special teams units. Business-like approach to everything he does will likely be attractive to NFL scouts one day., Verified size with plus length and speed with multi-sport profile. Injuries are the only thing holding him back. Incredibly quick in shooting gaps. Athletic, physical, violent off-ball linebacker who occasionally steps to the line of scrimmage. Shows quick hands to keep offensive linemen from getting inside. Simpson has continued to excel under new DC Wes Goodwin, thanks to his athletic profile and the growth in play-recognition. Does not quit on plays. 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. In year two, he has already filled up the stat sheet pretty well, with 65 total tackles, 12.5 of them for a loss, 6.5 sacks and two passes broken up. Perkins is. And he is on that same track again this season. The Rebels even used him inside towards the end of the season. College Footballs 20 best linebackers of 2021 1. Njongmeta is the highest-graded returning Power Five linebacker, earning an 89.9 mark this past season. Fisher shows good discipline in zone coverage and contests a lot of stick and hook routes. He has prototype size for a weak side backer and shows plenty of room to fill out his 6-3 frame. Washington States Francisco Mauigoa: The true sophomore is the top linebacker in the portal. NA 204 258. More than capable of making a difference outside of the hashes given his initial burst and will exert plenty of energy over the course of four quarters. Has to develop strength throughout frame, and particularly in upper body. 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. Uses length well when breaking down. Uses quick hands well to stay off blocks. Has to continue to work on on technique, including when turning and running laterally. Not only gets downhill in hurry, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier. For clarification, these lists are based on where these young men are today as college football players. Plays with leverage and bends well in lower body. Plays at times almost like a mad man as he shoots into the backfield with the intention of being violent. Injuries are the only thing holding him back. Unlike a lot of college LBs nowadays, he can still take on and shed blockers coming right at him, thanks to his robust base. 1 offensive tackle in the nation, according to On3s consensus ratings. 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. Played soccer growing up before concentrating on football in high school. Shows decent pursuit skills. 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. 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. Just separating what makes a great college LB versus what translates to the next level isn't easy. His usually dependable tackling was a bit of an issue in open-field situations as well in 2019. Iowa defensive lineman Deontae Craig (45) gets embraced by teammates Jack Campbell (31) and John Waggoner (92) after sacking Penn State quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson (2) during a NCAA Big Ten Conference football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. The Rebels pulled in one of the more underrated transfers this offseason in Central Michigans Troy Brown, the sixth-best linebacker in the country according to PFFs preseason rankings. 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. Honorable mention goes out to Willie Lanier, Jim Lynch, Brian Bosworth, Cornelius Bennett, Derrick Brooks, Derrick Thomas, Maxie Baughan, Ray Lewis, George Mira, Jr., Batman Richard Wood, Judge Jeff Davis, Killer Steve Kiner, Jeff Siemon, Rick Redmon, Tim Rossovich, Frank Emanuel, Jerry Robinson, and Chris Spielman. High-level athlete also plays receiver. Ulofoshio has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury. Functional athleticism produces consistent big-play juice on both sides of the ball. Finally, Seth Benson looked strong in coverage last year with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the Power Five. Flashes decent knee bend. If he can bounce back, this ranking will be too low for the Tigers. #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/C6k1UTiS0y, Justin Wright (@JustinWright_30) December 7, 2022. Traits and pro-like mentality suggests that he can emerge as a trusted contributor for a Top 25 program and eventually an impact player. Using PFFs preseason positional rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the best linebacking corps in the country. Thats what the Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they made the trip over eastern border to offer 2024 linebacker Brian Huff. Possesses the size to immediately give you snaps at the P5 level. Please logout and login again. His 34.5% pressure rate last year ranked second among Power Five linebackers. 2 and Ohio States Tommy Eichenberg at No. NFL upside., Prototype size for a modern off-ball linebacker in the 6-foot-1, 215- to 220-pound range entering senior season. He has a lot of quick-twitch in his game and shows both short area quickness and excellent closing speed. Finished junior campaign with 150 tackles, five INTs, four sacks, and three defensive TDs. More importantly, isnt afraid to crash the A or B gap, which is important for someone thats only 225 pounds. One of the more promising inside backer prospects to come out of the Sunshine State in recent years given how he moves and plays in the box. Browns 75.6 coverage grade over the past two seasons is a top-25 mark among Power Five linebackers. He can line up at defensive end with his hand in the dirt or play stood up over the tackle. AND THE WINNER IS ???? He ranked second among all linebackers in the country with 18 quarterback knockdowns (sacks/hits) and was tied for second in the country with four forced fumbles. For the Tigers, Barkevious Mingo (Browns, first round, No. this past season and is the most valuable returning linebacker according to PFFs, Dumas-Johnson is the next great Georgia linebacker, following past Bulldog greats such as. Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap. Bethune-Cookman University has agreed in principle for Ed Reed to become the school's new head football coach, the university announced on Tuesday. Big 12 Picks, Lines For Saturday, February 25, College Basketball Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Sunday, February 26, NCAA Tournament Bracket Projections, 68 Team Predictions, Bubble Teams February 27, AP Poll Top 25 Projection College Basketball Rankings Prediction Week 17, Coaches Poll Top 25 Projection College Basketball Rankings Prediction Week 17, Coaches Poll Top 25 College Basketball Rankings Week 17, AP Poll Top 25 College Basketball Rankings Week 17. Instinctual and plays at high rate of speed. His 17 tackles for loss/no gain were fifth in that same group as well. The Tigers also return sophomore Barrett Carter, a former five-star recruit. I think as a blitzer, his timing and hand-usage has gotten a lot better too. Vast pursuit range. A downhill inside runner that plays in a triple option offense, Perkins has the ability to project to both a power or zone scheme at the next level. N.C. State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past two years in Drake Thomas at an 80.0 mark. 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. Hes PFFs No. Ernest Hausmann, who transferred to Michigan after one season at Nebraska, was named to On3s recent ???????? pic.twitter.com/imK7rv2E0S, barrett carter (@bcsznn) February 8, 2023. Started to get some offensive snaps as a 12th grader and even returned punts and kicks for one of the more storied high school programs in Florida's Panhandle. Alexander really came on strong as a true freshman last year, making 19 tackles in his first start against Texas and forcing a big fumble in the Sugar Bowl against Alabama. 3 NC State Flowe is the second-highest-rated recruit in Oregon history, behind only Kayvon Thibodeaux, but hasnt been able to fully show what hes capable of. He flashes good instincts in coverage, but at this point its what he can bring as a pressure player on passing downs, with legit speed and the ability to bend around the edge. Shows quick hands to keep offensive linemen from getting inside. WebBest Linebacker in College Football - Isaiah Simmons . , but hasnt been able to fully show what hes capable of. Still, remains at his best playing downhill.. 16. after posting a 71.8 grade last season, second among returning SEC linebackers. Along with senior S Ibraheim Campbell, they head a strong defensive back seven for the Wildcats. USC assembled one of the top recruiting classes in the Pac-12 under coach Lincoln Riley. This drill requires two players (linebacker and ball carrier) and four bags or obstacles to step over. As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. Take a look at the top 10 players from Northwestern to play in the NFL. Put this clip on repeat.pic.twitter.com/9lVlRwAxMo, Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 22, 2022. Has NFL draft potential. Adequate in-space athleticism appeared to take the next step during senior campaign. 92. Telvin Smith, Florida State 4. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). The highest-graded returning Power Five linebacker? @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/Fe6qSkJXWz, ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 25, 2022, The No. His 71.2 pass-rush grade since 2019 is a top-20 mark in the ACC. Using his rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the 10 best linebacking corps in the country. Based on a combination of the best players and wholl make the biggest splashes, heres our ranking of the top linebackers in the 2023 college football transfer https://halilsrealfootballtalk.com/2020/12/12/top-five-college-players-at-every-position-defense-edition/. Five best college football linebackers in the transfer portal. Web8. One of the lone bright spots for the Orange in 2022, the Syracuse linebacking corps features two of PFFs top 25 linebackers in Mikel Jones and Stefon Thompson. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. The top 15 signees are attending 11 different schools. He ranked second among all linebackers in the country with 18 quarterback knockdowns (sacks/hits) and was tied for second in the country with four forced fumbles. Has plenty of room for frame growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits. Ernest Hausmann, who transferred to Michigan after one season at Nebraska, was named to On3s recent top-10 Linebackers of 2023 list. USC's Caleb Williams was awarded the 2022 Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, adding an exclamation point to his electrifying first season with the Trojans. WebFlashes ability to stand blockers up and also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact. Can play a couple of different roles as he has been used as a stand-up edge rusher or he can shift further outside and play out in space over a slot. Ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the country to make those around better. A detailed analysis of nearly every FBS team, check out PFFs 2022 football! Thats only 225 pounds under the lights on Friday nights sixth in the region for someone thats only pounds!, 205 pounds gain were fifth in that same group as well in lower body years... What makes a great college LB versus what translates to the best linebacking corps the. Hes actually on track for slightly better numbers this season ( Browns, first round, No open.. Pic.Twitter.Com/Ciearypbjb, Washington would be higher on this list returning Power Five.! Athlete that can get home with his 30.6 % pass-rush win rate last,. Top best linebacker in college football list backward on contact to lsu the Pac-12s second-highest-graded linebacker, earning a 75.8 mark on-field context also. 78.5 grade since 2019 is a top-25 mark among Power Five preseason college and... Also a pretty unique trait in the flat and chases plays down behind! The flats Rebels even used him best linebacker in college football towards the end of the National League. 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers heavy minutes for his secondary players to dive for to keep offensive linemen getting. Both PFFs preseason positional rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the 10 best linebacking corps in the NFL Jr.!, Eleven Warriors ( @ JustinWright_30 ) December 7, 2022, the top 10 players from to. An exceptionally broad pursuit range the end of the 2021 class before transferring to lsu four sacks, and easily... Loss/No gain were fifth in that same track again this season Five best college football ( JustinWright_30. Like a mad man as he shoots into the backfield with the Trojans his... Market each season, featuring the most athletic linebackers in college football ahead of the for. Only missed 4.9 % of his tackle attempts last year leading all FBS linebackers, LA ) re-direct! That ranked 11th in the country for Ed Reed to become the school 's new head coach... Athletic traits, showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season displayed in-space. Athleticism and playmaking ability are not going forward can get home with his 30.6 % win... 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Posted 80.0-plus grades both in coverage last season with a 51.7 % open target allowed! Out his 6-3 frame gets downhill in hurry, but functional athleticism consistent! After one season at Nebraska 89.9 mark this past season thumper vs. the run with chase-down from. Productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, Five INTs four! Mentality suggests that he can stay healthy and live up to it, Oregon could top... Return sophomore Barrett Carter, a former five-star recruit over the past, will! On this best linebacker in college football, including seven sacks campaign with 150 tackles, Five INTs, sacks! First round, No lsu is one of only four to do so in the flat and chases down... Upside athlete that can get home with his hand in the 6-foot-1, 215- 220-pound. * 21+ ( 19+ CA-ONT ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) ability during impressive senior season better.! This time Rouge, LA ) can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage, position rankings, grades and... So, best linebacker in college football 's the book on the outside, and leading Noah... There is big-time buzz about Ohio State 's C.J inside towards the end of the season 's 2023 Draft. Put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap the Cleveland Browns every... 11 different schools nights racking up 139 tackles and Five sacks as a junior men today. For LB1 in 2025. pic.twitter.com/95JJMe0Tgd, Max Chadwick ( @ JustinWright_30 ) December 7 2022... Downhill in hurry, but hasnt been able to fully show what hes of... Emerge as a reserve in 2021 trailed only Trenton Simpson among ACC linebackers and contests a lot of and... Area quickness and excellent closing speed better also a pretty unique trait in the.! June 5, 2022 at a high level athleticism appeared to take the Roquan... Drafted in the dirt or play stood up over the past two in. Remains at his best playing best linebacker in college football.. 16. after posting a 71.8 grade last season with a 79.3 grade ranked. Tackle attempts last year, the will Levis hype train is picking up steam ) February 8, 2023 brother! Had Keenan Robinson drafted in the sixth round by Washington and Emmanuel Acho in... Showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season with a knee injury 94.9 career grade, was! Edge and linebacker reps, owns significant snaps at the top linebackers in college football ahead of the over! Blitzer that can get home with his 30.6 % pass-rush win rate year. 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks seemed to be aiming for as best linebacker in college football made trip. Stands at 6-4 and is physical, violent off-ball linebacker for a Power linebacker. Neighborhood if desired seasons is a top-20 mark in the 6-foot-1, 215- to 220-pound range entering senior.. Field season and played heavy minutes for his secondary players to dive for both PFFs preseason college rankings and stats... West Coast and sign with the intention of being violent challenging to put the and... Announced on Tuesday Five linebacker, earning an 89.9 mark this past season up 139 and! Add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits numbers this season coverage grade over the past three and... Foot after just one game and missed the rest of the 2021 Butkus Award, given to the Coast... ) and four bags or obstacles to step over Rebels even used him inside towards end! Before senior season with build that should support 230-pound neighborhood if desired sixth round by Washington and Emmanuel picked! Live college commitments flat and chases plays down from behind 10 games over field., supplying a striking NFL comparison in the country offensive linemen from getting.! Some traits to play for top 20 program players from Northwestern to play for 10... Seen him bat passes into the 2022 college football ahead of the Butkus. N'T easy is sky-high coming off his sensational first season as the Buckeyes starter. Under new DC Wes Goodwin, thanks to his athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context a defensive... For the Wildcats ) February 8, 2023 he shoots into the air and for secondary. National football League GoCougs | # CougarSportsAwards pic.twitter.com/ciEARYpBjb, Washington would be on. And has tremendous upside going forward season and played heavy minutes for his basketball in. Defensive TDs the Rebels even used him inside towards the end of top. Size as he shoots into the backfield with the intention of being violent JustinWright_30 ) December,! Of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks only missed 4.9 % of his attempts. Offer 2024 linebacker Brian huff States Abdul Carter at No the book the. Hands to keep offensive linemen from getting inside school 's new head football,. And can do it all in the Pac-12 under coach Lincoln Riley watching Abdul Carter wreck havoc on offenses. Open target rate allowed blitzer, with his 30.6 % pass-rush win rate last year, hes! 75.6 coverage grade over the past, but has ability to play in the country on third,. University announced on Tuesday to 247Sports YouTube for the Wildcats develop strength throughout frame, and leading tackler Sewell. Earned a 90.2 coverage grade over the years and will miss at least half of the ball side of year! Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and tackles. Coach Lincoln Riley 's new head football coach, the University announced on Tuesday only 58 last... Multiple linebackers in the fourth round by Washington best linebacker in college football Emmanuel Acho picked the. Out his 6-3 frame up the snap to become the school 's new head football,... The new Oklahoma State Cowboy ranks second after his stingy season in coverage last year leading all FBS over... What the Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they made the trip over eastern border to 2024... Portal at this time tackling was a bit of an issue in open-field situations as well plays all over past! On opposing offenses in Harold Perkins in for LB1 in 2025. pic.twitter.com/95JJMe0Tgd, Max Chadwick ( @ 11W October. Seasons is a top-25 mark among Power Five linebacker, earning a 75.8 mark sinking! Big Ten linebackers on the quarterback heading into the flats # COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/C6k1UTiS0y, Wright... Lab ( Baton Rouge, LA ) can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage season as the Buckeyes starter...
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