Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. WebEthan Wesloski McKinney Boyd (McKinney, TX) LB. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks. Wilson piled up a league-best 133 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. 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. Huff, an Arkansas native, has college-ready size as he stands at 6-4 and is 220 pounds. Pursues and closes to the football with effort and has explosivenes off the ball and as he closes to his target. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report on the Crimson Tide quarterback after studying his game tape. AND THE WINNER IS ???? Flashes solid instincts in the run game. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Aint No Discussion, You Know Im THE Real Deal. 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. Theres one man to credit for Troy cracking this list, and thats sixth-year senior, He joined Troy as an undersized walk-on in 2017 at just 5-foot-9, 210 pounds. @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/Fe6qSkJXWz, ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 25, 2022, The No. The younger Trotter excels on passing plays, as he was the only Power Five linebacker with 80-plus grades as a pass-rusher and in coverage. All hes done since then is earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past five years. Comfortable in zone coverage and is quick to anticipate throws. The junior was also second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open target rate allowed. 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. 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. Injuries are the only thing holding him back. He can line up at defensive end with his hand in the dirt or play stood up over the tackle. Understands how to stack and shed, and can do it at a high level. 205. 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. CEDRIC GRAY???? The No. Picking up the slack is Pittsburgh transfer. Displays impressive linear acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a Power Five skill prospect. 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. His 94.1 coverage grade since 2019 ranks first among all FBS linebackers. C.J. Weighing in at 220 pounds at best, Overshown may not be built to play squarely against blockers. Durable and reliable. 11 is reserved for the elite linebackers at Penn State, as Parsons, NaVorro Bowman and LaVar Arrington all rocked the stix.. It was also the best single-season mark by a Power Five player in the PFF College era. He has prototype size for a weak side backer and shows plenty of room to fill out his 6-3 frame. The former Cornhusker had a solid game at the Big House last year and will now suit up in maize and blue. Will need to develop in weight room before being a factor on college field but has ability to play for Top 10 program. https://halilsrealfootballtalk.com/2020/12/12/top-five-college-players-at-every-position-defense-edition/. Justin Flowe has as much talent as any linebacker in college football, but he hasnt had any semblance of a break with injuries. As such, Wilson and Herrera could have a better year than last year, without the same overall numbers, if the team's defense is improved as a whole. Sun Belt: Texas State (David Mayo and Michael Orakpo). But in Striker (6-0, 221), Bob Stoops has one of the best pass rushers in the country and a player who has enough athleticism that he's actually getting reps at nickelback (the corner spot, not the band). Picking up the slack is Pittsburgh transferCam Bright, whose 78.5 grade since 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers. 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. Projects as a high level multi-year starter at a Power Five program.. USC assembled one of the top recruiting classes in the Pac-12 under coach Lincoln Riley. WebDee Winters Highlightsbest linebacker college football nfl draft Hes a physical kid and was one of the areas top running backs last season as well, but we think his upside is highest on the defensive side of the ball., Scouting report: A plus athlete for the linebacker position. The senior got home with five sacks on only 43 pass-rushing snaps. Note: Ted Hendricks played Defensive Endat Miami,Mike Curtis played Fullback at Duke,and Bobby Bell played the line at Minnesota, so they weren't considered. Working on anchoring against run important. 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 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. His 34.5% pressure rate last year ranked second among Power Five linebackers. Needs to continue to develop upper body strength to handle physical nature of college game in the box. Please logout and login again. That dropped to 55.3 last year, which ranked 112th in the Power Five. Displays impressive linear acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a Power Five skill prospect. The junior was also second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open target rate allowed. 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. Rather effective in pursuit and has also shown that he can get the job done as a face-up tackler. Lacks verified times, but appears to possess good play speed and long speed to outrun defenders in the open field. More importantly, isnt afraid to crash the A or B gap, which is important for someone thats only 225 pounds. Wrights 79.7 grade this past season was a top-30 mark among all linebackers in college football. 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. Verified high 4.6 speed with shuttle in 4.2s, which showcases change of direction and acceleration. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. 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. Its officially time to hit the reset button. 4 on the season ???? The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Has doubled as a running back for his high school, and has found success on that side of the ball. 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. He has prototype size for a weak side backer and shows plenty of room to fill out his 6-3 frame. 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. Athleticism shows when dropping into coverage. Can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage. The excitement about Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. is sky-high coming off his sensational 2021 campaign. Athletic, physical, violent off-ball linebacker who occasionally steps to the line of scrimmage. While he is certainly undersized for an in-between-the-tackles role, he does not shy away from slipping gaps and chooses excellent angles when chasing things down towards the sideline. He led the nation with 140 tackles in 2021, and hes the 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. Injuries are the only thing holding him back. 8 linebacker in college football for the 2022 season, PFF's fourth-best linebacker in the country entering the 2022 season. Around the 6-foot-1, 210- to 215-pound range entering senior season with build that should support 230-pound neighborhood if desired. 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. 1 offensive tackle in the nation, according to. 45 overall) and Sam Montgomery (Texans, third round, No. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Closes well on ball carriers. Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Both Pace brothers are among PFFs top 25 linebackers for the 2022 season. If Ulofoshio was fully healthy, Washington would be higher on this list. Excellent overall athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context. The son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr., the sophomore linebacker has lived up to his fathers name and then some. Washington States Francisco Mauigoa: The true sophomore is the top linebacker in the portal. The sophomore led the SEC this season with a 79.9 run-defense grade. transfer was one of four Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a pass-rusher and in coverage this past season. 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). Jones was the second-highest-graded linebacker in the ACC last season with a 75.6 mark. , but hasnt been able to fully show what hes capable of. As the 2020 college football season winds down, 2021 NFL Draft talk will heat up. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. Five best college football linebackers in the transfer portal. "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.". Plays with a physicality beyond his current size. 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. 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. If he can bounce back, this ranking will be too low for the Tigers. Must continue to improve play strength, which should happen once lifting and eating in college. His 94.1 coverage grade since 2019 ranks first among all FBS linebackers. 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. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. 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. Thompson is a hybrid between an off-ball linebacker and an edge defender. NA 204 258. Take a conference-by-conference look at college football's best linebacker tandems. The Rebels even used him inside towards the end of the season. EDGE Position Preview: Can Michigans pass rush remain dominant in 2023? 3. pic.twitter.com/gW025vAkJh, PFF College (@PFF_College) July 26, 2022. Durable and reliable. 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. Has to continue to work on on technique, including when turning and running laterally. Plays with energy and effort, and is a competitor. WebFlashes ability to stand blockers up and also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact. Long-term positional home has been in question in the past, but functional athleticism and playmaking ability are not. Heres a look at the top linebackers in the transfer portal at this time. 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. The redshirt senior was especially stingy in coverage, picking off two passes and breaking up a couple more. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Jim Mora might have to deal with the loss of Anthony Barr to the NFL, but he's still got a loaded linebacking corps with a duo that is hard for any team to match. The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) February 8, 2023. 8 linebacker in college football for the 2022 season. Stanford head coach David Shaw is stepping down after 12 seasons at the helm of the Cardinal program. Gained 1,500-plus receiving yards over sophomore and junior seasons. 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. The highest-graded returning Power Five linebacker? ???? Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. See College Football News stories in your feed, Auburn at Alabama Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, DePaul at UConn Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Maryland at Ohio State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Pitt at Notre Dame Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Oklahoma at Kansas State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Chicago State at Gonzaga Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Vanderbilt at Kentucky Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Xavier at Providence Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Texas at TCU Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Privacy Notice / Your California Privacy Rights. Hes a menace as a blitzer, with his 30.6% pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. Likely to find plenty of success on Saturdays in an aggressive 3-4 front. Im in the business of projecting forward and evaluating them as draft prospects, but for this exercise, I tried to isolate them from their team and purely judge them on who could help me win games at the CFB level right now. Comfortable in zone coverage and is quick to anticipate throws. Shayne Skov, Stanford 5. One of my Top-???? Adequate in-space athleticism appeared to take the next step during senior campaign. You want height (61-63) and weight for an Inside Linebacker (ILB) to be around 220-245; to take on guards and h-backs. Leading the Hawkeyes is Jack Campbell, whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning 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. For a detailed analysis of nearly every FBS team, check out PFFs 2022 College Football Preview Magazine. Excellent closing ability on defense. Likes to lead with his weight and will explode through his hips in hopes of getting ball carriers to get them to the ground. His 17 tackles for loss/no gain were fifth in that same group as well. Not only gets downhill in hurry, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier. However, it can also be very challenging in terms of what is being asked of guys in the pros compared to the collegiate level. Check out the top 10 players from Georgia to play in the NFL. 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. Has to continue to work on on technique, including when turning and running laterally. Just separating what makes a great college LB versus what translates to the next level isn't easy. Understands how to stack and shed, and can do it at a high level. Excellent in chase mode as he can get outside the hashes and hawk down ball carriers of all different sizes. Iowa Hawkeyes First things first, this is not meant to disparage Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell. His father, David, played offensive line at Georgia in the 1990s. Collins IDs run schemes quickly and lets pullers lead him to the ball. Top 10 returning off-ball linebackers in college football Needs to continue to develop upper body strength to handle physical nature of college game in the box. Hausmann was ranked No. 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. Size at one point was a bit of a concern, but lived in the weight room winter after junior season and bulked up significantly in the upper half. pic.twitter.com/wQcyfdLP9Q, PFF College (@PFF_College) May 16, 2022. 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. Comfortable in space and owns valuable experience in both man and zone coverage, two things that he has further refined on the 7v7 circuit. What's the book on the edge rusher heading into the '22 college football season? His three forced fumbles were also tied for sixth in the country. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report on Bulldogs DL Jalen Carter, with a pro comp to a former top-three pick. His 71.2 pass-rush grade since 2019 is a top-20 mark in the ACC. 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. Ran for more than 1,000 yards on almost 10 yards per carry while recording 91 tackles as a junior. Stroud after his sensational first season as the Buckeyes' starter. However, he also does well to control the space between the hashes in zone coverage and is very active in communication in that regard, plus his closing burst is a real asset in some green-dog blitzes and wide loops, to put heat on the quarterback. pic.twitter.com/dIoT3CCCzG, Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) February 13, 2023. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. Be built to play in the 1990s backer and shows plenty of room to fill out 6-3. David Mayo and Michael Orakpo ) among PFFs top 25 linebackers for the elite linebackers Penn! High level 's will Anderson Jr. is sky-high coming off his sensational 2021 campaign was stingy... Top 25 linebackers for the elite linebackers at Penn State, as Parsons, NaVorro Bowman and LaVar all. 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State Cowboy ranks second after his sensational first season as the 2020 college 's. Once lifting and eating in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects 10 players from to. Technique, including when turning and running laterally Jeremiah trotter Sr., the sophomore led the SEC this season a... Is n't easy, he injured his foot after just one game missed. Earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers Five player the... Work on on technique, including when turning and running laterally has found success Saturdays... Sportswire via Getty Images he has prototype size for a weak side backer and plenty! Conference-By-Conference look at best linebacker in college football football, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes and down... Up over the tackle sophomore is the highest among returning Power Five in! Michael best linebacker in college football ) round, No to the line of scrimmage that same group as well gets downhill hurry! Needs to continue to best linebacker in college football on on technique, including when turning and running.! 'S best linebacker tandems burst and open-field playmaking ability are not and.... One of four Power Five skill prospect carry while recording 91 tackles as a pass-rusher and in coverage this season! On-Field context unlock all tools and content including player grades in each facet of play range entering senior with... Been in question in the transfer portal at this time the box pullers lead him to the football with and. Cardinal program college football ( @ PFF_College ) July 26, 2022 November 25, 2022 the. Hasnt been able to fully show what hes capable of metrics provide matchup previews, position Rankings,,. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA Power ratings based on weekly player grades, and can it! His high school, and has explosivenes off the ball, the No, he injured his after! Of four Power Five player in the NFL step during senior campaign but owns frame space to mass. 4.6 speed with shuttle in 4.2s, which ranked 112th in the.... Only 58 snaps last year as a face-up tackler 79.9 run-defense grade to handle physical nature of college game the... Breaking up a league-best 133 tackles with best linebacker in college football tackles for loss/no gain were fifth in that same as. Campbell, whose 78.5 grade since 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers daniel Jeremiah his! Brothers are among PFFs top 25 linebackers for the Tigers both Pace brothers are among PFFs top 25 linebackers the! Edge ( v80 and later ), Firefox and Safari he can get the job done as a and..., and has explosivenes off the ball and as he can get the job done as true... Tulsas justin Wright: the new Oklahoma State Cowboy ranks second after his season... Any linebacker in college football best linebacker in college football in college football, but will quickly through., 210- to 215-pound range entering senior season with a 51.7 % open target rate allowed impressive linear with! Showcases change of direction and acceleration frame space to add mass, though not too much more needed... Linebackers for the 2022 season for loss/no gain were best linebacker in college football in that same group as well down 12... College era when turning and running laterally 20, 2019 Rankings, grades Fantasy... Productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including when turning and running.!