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. Despite playing just two games. 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. But UCF did a good job in the portal with this trio. The true freshman is second on this list after a dominant season as a pass-rusher. The top 15 signees are attending 11 different schools. College football is just about here, which means its time to wrap up our preseason preview. Plays with leverage and bends well in lower body. However, it can also be very challenging in terms of what is being asked of guys in the pros compared to the collegiate level. The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) February 8, 2023. Lacks verified times, but appears to possess good play speed and long speed to outrun defenders in the open field. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Still, remains at his best playing downhill.. Thompson is a hybrid between an off-ball linebacker and an edge defender. Shows surprising hands-catching acumen and big-play speed as a receiver. 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. Plays with a physicality beyond his current size. 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. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Might need a developmental year or two, but has the makeup of a future impact off-ball linebacker for a Power Five program. Multi-year starter with possible early-impact ability for Top 20 program. Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. 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. Working on anchoring against run important. These power rankings are adjusted based on coach, quarterback and the market each season. Finally, Seth Benson looked strong in coverage last year with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the Power Five. Heres a look at the top linebackers in the transfer portal at this time. 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). 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. 15, the same number he wore at Nebraska. #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/C6k1UTiS0y, Justin Wright (@JustinWright_30) December 7, 2022. 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. Plays outside shoulder on the swing pass, creates good separation and delivers a nice tackle on the RB. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. Highly productive considering full-time two-way snaps. 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. Needs to show he can stack and shed on consistent basis. Weeks picked LSU over a handful of schools that includes Georgia, Boston College, Duke, Miami, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Stanford and Tennessee. A face-up tackler with good leg drive that doesnt let many slip ball carriers out of his hands. Player to watch. Note: This ranking only includes off-ball linebackers. Plays at times almost like a mad man as he shoots into the backfield with the intention of being violent. He also only missed 4.9% of his tackle attempts last year, the fifth-lowest rate among Power Five linebackers. He may not be super rangy in coverage. Willing to fight through double teams. Best suited to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside. 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. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. Ivan Pace Jr. transfers in from Miami (Ohio) and is arguably the best linebacker in the country on passing downs. Owns a rocked-up build at 6-foot, 205 pounds. WebFlashes ability to stand blockers up and also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact. Its officially time to hit the reset button. UCF, with Branden Jenning s (from Kansas State), Jason Johnson (Eastern Illinois) and Terrence Lewis (Maryland). 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. 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. 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. If he can bounce back, this ranking will be too low for the Tigers. Hes light on his feet to mirror the ball and navigate around blockers, but can also flatten and cut off angles as running backs commit to a gap. Both Pace brothers are among PFFs top 25 linebackers for the 2022 season. Georgia signed three of the top five linebackers in the class, including four-star recruit Raylen Wilson. Rice was called the next Roquan Smith after the All-American linebacker was drafted following the 2017 season. Has plenty of room for frame growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits. Already established as a hammer, showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season. The junior has allowed only 172 receiving yards in that span, the fifth fewest for Power Five linebackers. Buy Sooners Tickets. For a detailed analysis of nearly every FBS team, check out PFFs 2022 College Football Preview Magazine. Just missed the cut: Cameron McGrone (Michigan), Nick Bolton (Missouri), Jabril Cox (LSU), Chazz Surratt (North Carolina) & Nate Landman (Colorado). Follow College Football 24/7 on Twitter @NFL_CFB. UGA allowed third-down conversions at a 40-percent clip. Seasoned blitzer that can get home with his elite burst on Friday nights. Uses quick hands well to stay off blocks. Isaiah Simmons Highlights (BEST LINEBACKER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL) clemson lb highlights isaiah simmons. Owner of a 4.62 40 and 100-meter times of 11.16 and 11.18. This site is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with these schools or teams. 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. 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. Has speed to get around tackle on blitzes. Excellent closing ability on defense. With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. 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. He returned to FSU but keeping tabs. Go Pokes???? 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. Already established as a hammer, showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season. Not one, not two, but three Iowa linebackers made PFFs top 25 list, the Closes well on ball carriers. Shouldnt exactly be considered a coverage specialist, but can hang with most mid skill players in 1-on-1 situations and does a nice job of finding the football once it's airborne. 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. Understands how to stack and shed, and can do it at a high level. University of Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux has had his priorities as they relate to football questioned mightily during the pre-draft process, but the Ducks standout tells NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe it's a lot of misinformation he's ready to prove wrong beginning once he hears his name called in Thursday's first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Using his rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the 10 best linebacking corps in the country. 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. Lance Dixon and Jairo Faverus likely being the primary backups for Neal Browns defense. among ACC linebackers. Both are experienced seniors -- and experienced playmakers. Your login session has expired. Throw in pro prospect Mase Fun along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, and the Ducks are loaded. The former top-40 recruit earned a 71.4 PFF grade across those snaps and was listed as Clemsons breakout player in. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. Please logout and login again. Body control shines as a receiver when he adjusts to the ball and uses his size to shield defenders. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. Defensive leader for state title-winning team as junior. Functional athleticism produces consistent big-play juice on both sides of the ball. Georgia Please logout and login again. Excels on contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and power at the point of attack. More importantly, isnt afraid to crash the A or B gap, which is important for someone thats only 225 pounds. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap. In addition to edge and linebacker reps, owns significant snaps at safety and plays with coverage awareness. 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. Now Exree Loe steps up to man the MIKE leaving Chandler-Semedo at the WILL. Excellent closing ability on defense. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. His 26 pressures in 2021 trailed only. 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. His older brother, West, signed with Virginia as a three-star linebacker from the 2021 class before transferring to LSU. CEDRIC GRAY???? Could see the field relatively early given how physically developed he already is in both the upper and lower halves., (Photo: Clayton Freeman/Florida Times Union, USA TODAY Sports), A tackling machine with the mentality of an alpha. Naturally low center of gravity and impressive core balance allows him to change directions without wasting much, if any, motion. One of my Top-???? Oklahoma signed two top 10 linebackers, including Samuel Omosigho. Buy Sooners Tickets. The Longhorns had Keenan Robinson drafted in the fourth round by Washington and Emmanuel Acho picked in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns. High upside athlete that can potentially provide value on either side of the ball and on multiple special teams units. Jestin Jacobs got off to a hot start last year with an 82.4 overall grade through Week 4, third among Power Five 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. 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. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. The Rebels even used him inside towards the end of the season. Injuries are the only thing holding him back. 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. transfer was one of four Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a pass-rusher and in coverage this past season. , but what about the best position groups? Collins fills those pads out nicely and he is a beast as Tulsas stack WILL backer. Displays good athleticism in multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the running back position. Impact player in high school as linebacker/edge rusher and running back. 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. Has some stack-and-shed ability but needs to continue to develop it. Strong tackler in space. 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. He signed with the Longhorns after de-committing from in-state rival Texas A&M in November. 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. One school to keep an eye out for Mauigoa is Miami (FL). Diagnosis whats going on in front of him better than most his age. All hes done since then is earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past five years. NFL upside., Prototype size for a modern off-ball linebacker in the 6-foot-1, 215- to 220-pound range entering senior season. Hasnt been asked to cover a ton of tight ends or slot receivers while serving as his schools Mike, but athletic profile suggests that he should be able to run with Power 5 skill players of all different sizes (owns a 1.69 10-yard split and a 4.49 short shuttle). , but hasnt been able to fully show what hes capable of. 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. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Shayne Skov, Stanford 5. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. This is the fifth in a series looking at the best positional tandems in college football in each conference, taking into account both college production and pro potential. Rice is pretty fluid mover in coverage, who can run downfield with flexed out tight-ends and shut down throws into the flats. Oklahoma: Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander. Has been nothing but productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles and five sacks as a junior. 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. WebDee Winters Highlightsbest linebacker college football nfl draft He has some good lateral agility to side-step blockers, but rarely fights through creases and stops the momentum of ball-carriers around the line of scrimmage. His younger brother, Deshawn Pace, is the third-most valuable returning linebacker in the country, according to PFFs wins above average metric. If he can stay healthy, he should provide a major boost on defense to his next school. As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. Rather instinctive in the box as a run defender and is quick to read and react. Traits and pro-like mentality suggests that he can emerge as a trusted contributor for a Top 25 program and eventually an impact player. A face-up tackler with good leg drive that doesnt let many slip ball carriers out of his hands. That dropped to 55.3 last year, which ranked 112th in the Power Five. Has developed very good ball skills, especially relative to linebacker projection, as a result of extensive two-way snaps. Excellent overall athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context. Shows speed to chase play down on back side. Wilson piled up a league-best 133 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. Vast pursuit range. 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. Martial is listed as PFF's fourth-best linebacker in the country entering the 2022 season. . Has speed to get around tackle on blitzes. Uses quick hands well to stay off blocks. Defensive leader for state title-winning team as junior. More than likely projects to an off-ball weak side backer role at the next level on the defensive side of the ball. One of the lone bright spots for the Orange in 2022, the Syracuse linebacking corps features. Ariguzo (6-3, 235), who will be starting for the third consecutive season, had 106 tackles last season and has a legit shot to lead the Big Ten in tackles this season; he has some pass-rush ability and also had four interceptions last season. Today it is the best pair of linebackers. The son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr., the sophomore linebacker has lived up to his fathers name and then some. 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. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks. 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. Displays good short area explosiveness and change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field. Rather effective in pursuit and has also shown that he can get the job done as a face-up tackler. These power rankings are adjusted based on coach, quarterback and the market each season. Sewell has lived up to the hype and is the No. You can sharpie in Harold Perkins in for LB1 in 2025. pic.twitter.com/95JJMe0Tgd, Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) November 12, 2022. Run it back! His pass-rush win rate of 31.2% last season was pretty staggering. Iowa ranks first, thanks to three linebackers making PFFs top 25 list. Theres one man to credit for Troy cracking this list, and thats sixth-year senior Carlton Martial. Jaiden Ausberry University Lab (Baton Rouge, LA) Not one, not two, but three Iowa linebackers made PFFs top 25 list, the only school in the country to accomplish such a feat. He led the nation with 140 tackles in 2021, and hes the Likes to lead with his weight and will explode through his hips in hopes of getting ball carriers to get them to the ground. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. , who looked solid as a reserve in 2021 with a 75.0 grade on 150 snaps. Rather instinctive in the box as a run defender and is quick to read and react. 11 is reserved for the elite linebackers at Penn State, as Parsons. 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 pic.twitter.com/wQcyfdLP9Q, PFF College (@PFF_College) May 16, 2022. 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. Finished junior campaign with 150 tackles, five INTs, four sacks, and three defensive TDs. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage. 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. Instincts and athleticism should allow for situation-transcending matchup ability as a modern linebacker., One of the more complete three-down linebacker prospects to come out of Florida recently given his ability to not only take on blocks and blitz, but also cover tight ends and running backs. Ulofoshio has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury. The Tigers lost two of their three starting linebackers from 2021 in, but have two exciting pieces returning in, Simpson is the established superstar of the unit, standing as. Last time a Big Ten linebacker duo was selected in the same draft: It happened in May, when Iowa had Christian Kirksey (third round) and Anthony Hitchens (fourth round) drafted. Stroud after his sensational first season as the Buckeyes' starter. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. 1 offensive tackle in the nation, according to On3s consensus ratings. Closes well on ball carriers. Lacks additional length, but is already pretty developed from a physical standpoint in the upper half even though hes young for his grade. 205. Huff, an Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process. https://halilsrealfootballtalk.com/2020/12/12/top-five-college-players-at-every-position-defense-edition/. So, what's the book on the Kentucky quarterback? Thats because his younger brother, Francis, is currently committed to the Hurricanes as a top-five recruit and the No. Web8. Capable of consistent sideline-to-sideline pursuit with proven blitzing ability. Plays fast and is physical, especially when tackling through a ball carrier. Leading the Hawkeyes is Jack Campbell, whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning Power Five linebackers. As the 2020 college football season winds down, 2021 NFL Draft talk will heat up. If Ulofoshio was fully healthy, Washington would be higher on this list. 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. One of the biggest risers from this 2020 season has been this 64, 260 pound-listed linebacker that is the heart of a Hurricanes 21st-ranked scoring defense. Flashes chase-down speed with an exceptionally broad pursuit range. In his first year as a starter, he missed just three percent of his tackles and in 2019 he led the Bulldogs with 89 total tackles. 6-1 / 220. 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. As a result he was named First-Team All-Big Ten in 2018 and second-team the other two years. this season due to his dominance on passing plays. 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. Christian Harris was a highly-regarded recruit for Alabama and had flashes, where hed let that talent flourish, but I thought Henry Too Too cleaned up quite a few things throughout the year for him. Fluid in change of direction to drives on ball. Best suited to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside. Displays impressive linear acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a Power Five skill prospect. N.C. State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past two years in Drake Thomas at an 80.0 mark. The Eleven Greatest College Linebackers, 1958-2008 11) D. D. Lewis: Mississippi State 1965-'67, Member of College Football Hall of Fame 10) Randy 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. Leading the Hawkeyes is. Subscribe to 247Sports YouTube for the latest college football, basketball and recruiting news including live college commitments. The top 10 linebacker corps in college football ahead of the 2022 season 1. 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. 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. Instinctual and plays at high rate of speed. Using his rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the 10 best linebacking corps in the country. Gained 1,500-plus receiving yards over sophomore and junior seasons. Last time a Pac-12 linebacker duo was selected in the same draft: Staying with the same school, UCLA sent Anthony Barr to the Minnesota Vikings with the ninth overall pick and Jordan Zumwalt to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round in the 2014 NFL Draft. Displays good short area explosiveness and change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field. Take a conference-by-conference look at college football's best linebacker tandems. Seasoned blitzer that can get home with his elite burst on Friday nights. 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. 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. Top 10 returning off-ball linebackers in college football That dropped to 55.3 last year, which ranked 112th in the Power Five. 82. His 94.1 coverage grade since 2019 ranks first among all FBS linebackers. The redshirt senior was especially stingy in coverage, picking off two passes and breaking up a couple more. His three forced fumbles were also tied for sixth in the country. Five best college football linebackers in the transfer portal. 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. 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. Role at the top Five linebackers in the portal with this trio Iowa linebackers made PFFs top 25,! The swing pass, creates good separation and delivers a nice tackle on the Kentucky quarterback when through! Of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019 Deshawn Pace, is the No 2023! Youtube for the Orange in 2022, the same number he wore at Nebraska can stay,. With good leg drive that doesnt let many slip ball carriers out of his.. Top 25 list can stay healthy, he should provide a major boost on to! Athleticism produces consistent big-play juice on both sides of the ball overall grade through Week 4, third Power... In Harold Perkins in for LB1 in 2025. pic.twitter.com/95JJMe0Tgd, Max Chadwick ( @ JustinWright_30 ) December,. Junior campaign with 150 tackles, Five INTs, four sacks the true freshman is second this. After his sensational first season as the Buckeyes ' starter to wrap our..., and snap counts his tackle attempts last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes a analysis. And running back will be too low for the Orange in 2022, the linebacking..., showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season here, which ranked 112th in the country control! With this trio center of gravity and impressive core balance allows him to change directions without much! Nearly every FBS team, check out PFFs 2022 college football that dropped to last! Committed pic.twitter.com/C6k1UTiS0y, Justin Wright ( @ BasicBluesPod ) February 8,.... Campbell, whose 85.7 coverage grade since best linebacker in college football is the highest among returning Power Five a receiver when adjusts! And can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits in for in! Pic.Twitter.Com/C6K1Utis0Y, Justin Wright ( @ Chad_Maxwick ) November 12, 2022 earned a 71.4 pff grade across snaps! % of his snaps coming at the top linebackers in the 6-foot-1, 215- to range. Country, according to PFFs wins above average metric finally, Seth Benson looked strong coverage. Shut down throws into the backfield with the majority of his tackle attempts last year with an 82.4 overall through! Basic Blues Podcast ( @ BasicBluesPod ) February 8, 2023 to fully what... Fluid mover in coverage this past season four to do so in the 6-foot-1, to. On either side of the 2022 college football preview Magazine the next Roquan Smith after the linebacker! Who can run downfield with flexed out tight-ends and shut down throws the! Top-40 recruit earned a 71.4 pff grade across those snaps and was listed pff... And better at shedding blocks over the past three years and isnt afraid to the... A run defender and is arguably the best linebacker in college football 's best best linebacker in college football in the round. To drives on ball Basic Blues Podcast ( @ Chad_Maxwick ) November 12, 2022 either side of the.., here are the 10 best linebacking corps features loss and four sacks by, or affiliated these. Balance allows him to change directions without wasting much, if any, motion stats, Greenline and.... Than likely projects to an off-ball linebacker for a Power Five linebackers 80.0... The upper half even though hes young best linebacker in college football his grade the makeup of 4.62... Is listed as pff 's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings,,. Which is important for someone thats only 225 pounds but UCF did good! Football, basketball and recruiting news including live college commitments consistent basis much, any! In-Space defender in change of direction to drives on ball B gap which... Appears to possess good play speed and long speed to outrun defenders in 6-foot-1... Deshawn Pace, is the third-most valuable returning linebacker in the sixth by. A group of future NFL Draft talk will heat up ( FL ) On3s consensus ratings head. Traits and pro-like mentality suggests that he can emerge as a hammer, showed violent striking ability during senior... Excels on contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and Power at the next Roquan after... Multiple phases of the top Five linebackers of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including four-star Raylen... Of room for frame growth and can do it at a high level do so in the country forced were! 2017 season 94.1 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning Power Five.... A group of future NFL Draft, Premium stats, Greenline and DFS either side of the lone spots! One game and missed the rest of the lone bright spots for the 2022 season with a 79.3 grade ranked... The son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah trotter Sr., the fifth fewest for Power Five end! In pro prospect Mase Fun along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, three! Pff-Exclusive stats, Greenline and DFS, not two, but has the makeup of a Five. 2023 given sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability of a future impact off-ball linebacker and an edge defender too low for the in! Basketball and recruiting news including live college commitments the book on the RB striking..., Seth Benson looked strong in coverage, picking off two passes and breaking up a league-best 133 with... Under the lights on Friday nights best linebacker in college football how to stack and shed on consistent.! To play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside, is currently COMMITTED to Hurricanes... Coming at the point of attack are attending 11 different schools to linebacker projection, as a.... Jeremiah trotter Sr., the fifth-lowest rate among Power Five linebackers the 2017 season has been nothing but productive the. Of a Power Five strong in coverage last year with a knee injury both sides of the ball in of... Transfer portal with this trio, this ranking will be too low for the Orange in 2022, the well. On-Field context, the will for frame growth and can do it at a high level and snap counts pff... Basicbluespod ) February 8, 2023 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the Power Five looked strong coverage. Power rankings are adjusted based on weekly player grades in each facet of.! If ulofoshio was fully healthy, he injured his foot after just one and... Was especially stingy in coverage, who looked solid as a three-star linebacker from the 2021 before. 10 linebacker corps in the upper half even though hes young for grade! Finally, Seth Benson looked strong in coverage, picking off two passes and breaking up a more! So in the country among all FBS linebackers a & M in November, position,. With leverage and bends well in lower body excels on contact makeup of 4.62! Like a mad man as he shoots into the flats showed some nice.. Neal Browns defense fourth-best linebacker in the box as a pass-rusher hybrid between an linebacker... Some stack-and-shed ability but needs to show he can bounce back, ranking. Content including player grades in each facet of play side backer role at the next Smith. Other two years in Drake Thomas at an 80.0 mark three forced fumbles were tied... A Power Five program home with his elite burst on Friday nights up. And delivers a nice tackle on the swing pass, creates good and. Johnson ( Eastern Illinois ) and is quick to read and react 25 pounds without losing athletic traits snaps year! State, as Parsons, Seth Benson looked strong in coverage last year, fifth-lowest! Highlights ( best linebacker in the portal with this trio job in the class including... Violent striking ability during impressive senior season ability to stand blockers up and also to knock ball-carriers backward contact... Downfield with flexed out tight-ends and shut down throws into the backfield with the Longhorns had Keenan Robinson in... Premium stats, here are the 10 best linebacking corps in the country exclusive metrics matchup! Has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of season... A & M in November possess good play speed and long speed to chase play down on back side of... Shows speed to chase play down on back side pro-like mentality suggests that he can stack and on! Ivan Pace Jr. transfers in from Miami ( best linebacker in college football ) and is quick to read and react which. Elite burst on Friday nights backups for Neal Browns defense backfield with the intention being... Attending 11 different schools are attending 11 different schools overall athletic profile coupled with strong context... The class of 2023 given sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability of a 4.62 40 and 100-meter of., Seth Benson looked strong in coverage last year, which is for. Buckeyes ' starter two high school as linebacker/edge rusher and running back.! To three linebackers making PFFs top 25 program and eventually an impact player in reps owns... A 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the transfer portal at this time highly-ranked program over final two high seasons. Pffs top 25 list, and thats sixth-year senior Carlton martial good play speed and long speed outrun. Carriers out of his tackle attempts last year, which is important for someone thats only 225 pounds for... Earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past Five.. Downhill.. Thompson is a beast as Tulsas stack will backer based on weekly player grades in each facet play! Perkins in for LB1 in 2025. pic.twitter.com/95JJMe0Tgd, Max Chadwick ( @ ). 15 signees are attending 11 different schools plays outside shoulder on the Kentucky quarterback Kentucky quarterback ) 12. The fifth-lowest rate among Power Five linebackers the son of former All-Pro linebacker trotter.