Wrights 79.7 grade this past season was a top-30 mark among all linebackers in college football. 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. Played soccer growing up before concentrating on football in high school. C.J. Productive two-way play who plays on edge of 3-4 defense. 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). 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. Lacks additional length, but is already pretty developed from a physical standpoint in the upper half even though hes young for his grade. 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. Flashes chase-down speed with an exceptionally broad pursuit range. High-level athlete also plays receiver. Despite playing just two games. N.C. State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past two years in Drake Thomas at an 80.0 mark. Despite losing three of their four best linebackers from a year ago, the Bearcats still field one of the best units in the country. Hes not quite there mentally, just being a step too late in his reactions at times, but hes the full package. and is arguably the best linebacker in the country on passing downs. Weeks picked LSU over a handful of schools that includes Georgia, Boston College, Duke, Miami, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Stanford and Tennessee. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. Oklahoma signed two top 10 linebackers, including Samuel Omosigho. Best suited to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside. 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. Shows surprising hands-catching acumen and big-play speed as a receiver. Comfortable in zone coverage and is quick to anticipate throws. MAC: Bowling Green (D.J. Can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage. 3 NC State Broad, layered athletic profile projects very well in long term. His 71.2 pass-rush grade since 2019 is a top-20 mark in the ACC. Ernest Hausmann, who transferred to Michigan after one season at Nebraska, was named to On3s recent Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Aint No Discussion, You Know Im THE Real Deal. WebBest Linebacker in College Football - Isaiah Simmons . 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. 6-1 / 220. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. 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. 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). Just missed the cut: Cameron McGrone (Michigan), Nick Bolton Incredibly quick in shooting gaps. Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. The No. 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. Lacks additional length, but is already pretty developed from a physical standpoint in the upper half even though hes young for his grade. WebDee Winters Highlightsbest linebacker college football nfl draft 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. 70 tackles 9 tackles for loss 4 sacks 3 pass deflections 1 forced fumble pic.twitter.com/loJc8IMAVJ, GaBulldogsFB (@GABulldogsFB) January 19, 2023. Does not quit on plays. He was a three-year starter that was named a team captain in 1995 and earned All-SEC honors. Telvin Smith, Florida State 4. LSU is one of only four schools with multiple linebackers in PFFs top 25. , whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning Power Five linebackers. 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. Ellis (6-2, 230), who also will be a three-year starter, will play middle linebacker for the first time this season, and that should prove a good fit for his skill set. Perkins was a top-10 recruit in the 2022 class, which may have been too low. 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. Has to develop strength throughout frame, and particularly in upper body. 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. His 34.5% pressure rate last year ranked second among Power Five linebackers. But with Marc Munford, Ed Steward, Jerry The Eleven Greatest College Linebackers, 1958-2008, 11) D. D. Lewis: Mississippi State 1965-'67, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 10)Randy Gradishar: Ohio State 1971-'73, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 9)Mike Singletary: Baylor 1977-'80, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 8) Dennis Onkotz: Penn State 1967-'69, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 7) Wilber Marshall: Florida 1980-'83, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 6) George Webster: Mich. State 1964-'66, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 5) Jack Ham: Penn State 1968-'70, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 4) Lawrence Taylor: UNC 1977-'80, ACC MVP in 1980, 3) Leroy Jordan: Alabama 1960-'62, Member of College Football Hall of Fame, 2) Dick Butkus: Illinois, 1962-'64, Member of College Football Hall Of Fame, 1) Tommy Nobis: Texas, 1963-'65, Member of College Football Hall Of Fame. 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. 3, and ahead of Penn States Curtis Jacobs at No. https://halilsrealfootballtalk.com/2020/12/12/top-five-college-players-at-every-position-defense-edition/. 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. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Ernest Hausmann, who transferred to Michigan after one season at Nebraska, was named to On3s recent top-10 Linebackers of 2023 list. Washington States Francisco Mauigoa: The true sophomore is the top linebacker in the portal. Athleticism shows when dropping into coverage. Has NFL draft potential. Adequate in-space athleticism appeared to take the next step during senior campaign. His 34.5% pressure rate last year ranked second among Power Five linebackers. CEDRIC GRAY???? In fact, over the past two seasons, the only SEC linebacker with a higher grade than Dumas-Johnson is Dean. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Can engage and still drive legs to get around corner on blitz. The highest-graded returning Power Five linebacker? 95 overall) all got a draft call. Sewell doesnt shy away from blasting into blockers and can certainly blow up ball-carriers in the hole, but also has the burst to shut down toss plays out wide and is like a bear as a tackler. . **More **. 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. Diagnosis whats going on in front of him better than most his age. 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. As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. 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 Longhorns had Keenan Robinson drafted in the fourth round by Washington and Emmanuel Acho picked in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns. WebFlashes ability to stand blockers up and also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact. Go Pokes???? Leading the Hawkeyes is Jack Campbell, whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning Power Five linebackers. Not one, not two, but three Iowa linebackers made PFFs top 25 list, the only school in the country to accomplish such a feat. Needs to show he can stack and shed on consistent basis. Gained 1,500-plus receiving yards over sophomore and junior seasons. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. 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. Hes a physical kid and was one of the a, reas top running backs last season as well, but we think his upside is highest on the defensive side of the ball., A plus athlete for the linebacker position. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks. Jack Campbell's 45 run stops last season was tied for the most by a P5 LB ???? Dumas-Johnson is the next great Georgia linebacker, following past Bulldog greats such as Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean. Theyre the 15 linebackers in the transfer portal you need to know. One of the lone bright spots for the Orange in 2022, the Syracuse linebacking corps features. 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. College football is just about here, which means its time to wrap up our preseason preview. Transfer LB Ernest Hausmann named to 2023 top-10 linebackers list, Discussing the latest recruiting rankings for Michigan commits, targets. Last time a Big 12 linebacker duo was selected in the same draft: Not surprisingly, league powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma were the last to do it and managed to send a pair of linebackers to the NFL in the same 2012 draft. Interception No. 45 overall) and Sam Montgomery (Texans, third round, No. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. Athletic enough to compensate for occasional less-than-ideal angles. 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. 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His three forced fumbles were also tied for sixth in the country. 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. A face-up tackler with good leg drive that doesnt let many slip ball carriers out of his hands. 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. 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. ???????? Impact player in high school as linebacker/edge rusher and running back. 8 linebacker in college football for the 2022 season. UCF, with Branden Jenning s (from Kansas State), Jason Johnson (Eastern Illinois) and Terrence Lewis (Maryland). Rather instinctive in the box as a run defender and is quick to read and react. Watching for Jermaine Johnson (Florida State EDGE 11) but this rep from Amari Gainer (LB 33) caught my eye to start the game vs Clemson. 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. Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap. 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 Note: This ranking only includes off-ball linebackers. 4 on the season ???? Excels on contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and power at the point of attack. Martial is listed as PFF's fourth-best linebacker in the country entering the 2022 season. pic.twitter.com/NqMgvUjtWD, RanDynasty (@ran_dynasty) November 26, 2022. While at Clemson in 2020, he earned a 90.2 coverage grade, which was first among Power Five linebackers. Honorable mentions: Troy Brown (Central Michigan), Ivan Pace Jr. (Cincinnati), Mikel Jones (Syracuse), Owen Pappoe (Auburn), Ventrell Miller (Florida) & Bumper Pool (Arkansas), You can check out all my other college football positional rankings here or as one piece on halilsrealfootballtalk.com, Be the first one to comment on this story. 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. Business-like approach to everything he does will likely be attractive to NFL scouts one day., Scouting report: Verified size with plus length and speed with multi-sport profile. Capable of consistent sideline-to-sideline pursuit with proven blitzing ability. This drill requires two players (linebacker and ball carrier) and four bags or obstacles to step over. Here are the five best off-ball linebackers in college football: I enjoy the process of evaluating stand-up or off-ball linebackers and think I have a solid track record in terms of NFL projections. He has prototype size for a weak side backer and shows plenty of room to fill out his 6-3 frame. Incredibly quick in shooting gaps. Now hell be making plays for @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/gxdj5GDjOP, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 5, 2022. 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. All hes done since then is earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past five years. 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. Displays impressive linear acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a Power Five skill prospect. The West Virginia defense was a top unit in all of college football but they lost one of their top defenders in Tony Fields. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report on Bulldogs DL Jalen Carter, with a pro comp to a former top-three pick. Has great play speed. got off to a hot start last year with an 82.4 overall grade through Week 4, third among Power Five linebackers. I know Im probably a lot higher on Fisher than most people, but I have been following his young mans career ever since his freshman season. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Thats what the Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they made the trip over eastern border to offer 2024 linebacker Brian Huff. Micah Bakersville ranks 19th after posting a 71.8 grade last season, second among returning SEC linebackers. Headlining Oregons unit is Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell, the top two linebacker recruits in the 2020 class. Some of the re-ranks make sense, but others are rather odd. , but what about the best position groups? Your login session has expired. Multi-year starter with possible early-impact ability for Top 20 program. Has doubled as a running back for his high school, and has found success on that side of the ball. Isaiah Moore was a top-10-graded linebacker in the conference last year, and his 74.7 run-defense grade was fifth-best in the ACC. I think as a blitzer, his timing and hand-usage has gotten a lot better too. looked strong in coverage last year with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the Power Five. 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. Finished junior campaign with 150 tackles, five INTs, four sacks, and three defensive TDs. Scouting report: Physically strong player who is a weight room warrior. Played soccer growing up before concentrating on football in high school. @tyron_hopper one more year!#MIZ ???????? Five best college football linebackers in the transfer portal. 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. Not only gets downhill in hurry, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier. Thompson is a hybrid between an off-ball linebacker and an edge defender. 1 offensive tackle in the nation, according to On3s consensus ratings. Despite losing three of their four best linebackers from a year ago, the Bearcats still field one of the best units in the country. 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. Plays outside shoulder on the swing pass, creates good separation and delivers a nice tackle on the RB. Strong tackler in space. 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. Desire to make those around him better also a pretty unique trait in the year 2022. 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. 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. Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. The senior got home with five sacks on only 43 pass-rushing snaps. 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 bounce back, this ranking will be too low for the Tigers. Athletic enough to compensate for occasional less-than-ideal angles. Campbell is the epitome of an Iowa linebacker - hes rugged, instinctive and as sure a tackler as they come. 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. 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. The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) February 8, 2023. Hes actually on track for slightly better numbers this season. 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. Web8. Trenton Simpson: 88.3 pass rush grade last season, No other ACC LB had a grade higher than 80???? 92. Mike Jones Jr. rounds out the list at No. 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. Has been nothing but productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles and five sacks as a junior. The Ohio State football team has eight linebackers on scholarship, but just two arrived on campus with bonafide inside linebacker designated rankings on The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. 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. Typically All Conference or minimum 1 Year Varsity Starter. 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). The former top-40 recruit earned a 71.4 PFF grade across those snaps and was listed as Clemsons breakout player in. Perkins is Micah Parsons-esque in that he can play either linebacker or edge defender at a very high level. Excellent overall athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context. Plays fast and is physical, especially when tackling through a ball carrier. Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. Naturally low center of gravity and impressive core balance allows him to change directions without wasting much, if any, motion. . As just a true sophomore, Francisco Mauigoa was the Pac-12s second-highest-graded linebacker, earning a 75.8 mark. Plays with a physicality beyond his current size. Pursues and closes to the football with effort and has explosivenes off the ball and as he closes to his target. N.C. State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past two years in. What's the book on the edge rusher heading into the '22 college football season? Chris Likes to lead with his weight and will explode through his hips in hopes of getting ball carriers to get them to the ground. With that being said, he needs to play with more extension working against blockers in the run game and there are question about this athleticism as to how it projects to the next level, as weve rarely seen him get tasked with man-coverage duty. Over the last three years, Fisher has started all 29 games and recorded 315 combined tackles, with 20 of them going for loss, nine forced fumbles and hes had an interception every season. His father, David, played offensive line at Georgia in the 1990s. The guy most draft rankings seem to have at the top for the position in college football is Trenton Simpson at Clemson. Linebackers: Josh Chandler-Semedo/Exree Loe. 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. Nick Jackson was ejected for targeting on this hit, PFF College (@PFF_College) September 24, 2022. Collins fills those pads out nicely and he is a beast as Tulsas stack WILL backer. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. Hes also been the most valuable linebacker in the country in that span, per PFFs wins above average metric. -esque in that he can play either linebacker or edge defender at a very high level. 10 of the 11 are in the College Football Hall of Fame. 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. Possesses frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed or quickness. 2 and Ohio States Tommy Eichenberg at No. 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. Will need to develop in weight room before being a factor on college field but has ability to play for Top 10 program. He also made 13 coverage stops, which ranked in the top 25 for all linebackers in the country. Shows speed to chase play down on back side. The redshirt senior was especially stingy in coverage, picking off two passes and breaking up a couple more. Subscribe to 247Sports YouTube for the latest college football, basketball and recruiting news including live college commitments. With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. Ability to close gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in his career. Durable and reliable. "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.". At 63, 225 pounds, he is a little bit different in terms of his usage as Brent Venables' STAR backer/hang defender (who left for a head coaching gig in Oklahoma this offseason). Anyone else miss watching Abdul Carter wreck havoc on opposing offenses? If he can stay healthy, he should provide a major boost on defense to his next school. Already established as a hammer, showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season. linebackers heading into next season. Michigan fans will get their first chance to watch Hausmann play in the Spring Game on Saturday, April 1 at the Big House. Herrera ranked third in the league with 112, and broke up six passes with an interception. Hes a menace as a blitzer, with his 30.6% pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers. Plays with leverage and bends well in lower 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. The sophomore led the SEC this season with a 79.9 run-defense grade. He was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year for good reason and has tremendous upside going forward. With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Justin Wright (30) runs back an 214. Justin Flowe has as much talent as any linebacker in college football, but he hasnt had any semblance of a break with injuries. NFL upside., Prototype size for a modern off-ball linebacker in the 6-foot-1, 215- to 220-pound range entering senior season. Moses has a pep to his step and is a very easy mover. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 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. Simpson was right up there with those two This is not a rating of who played well in pro leagues, who was drafted, or who had a toy or game named after them. Mosley, Alabama 2. The redshirt junior rounds out the top three and was a, The 2022 college football season has come and gone, and so has the deadline to enter the. Displays good athleticism in multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the running back position. Shows quick hands to keep offensive linemen from getting inside. 8 linebacker in college football for the 2022 season, PFF's fourth-best linebacker in the country entering the 2022 season. 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. Using PFFs preseason positional rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the best linebacking corps in the country. Productive two-way play who plays on edge of 3-4 defense. Excellent closing ability on defense. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. rounds out the unit after missing most of last season with a torn ACL. His pass-rush win rate of 31.2% last season was pretty staggering. Georgia has also used him as a blitzer on passing down frequently, to create negative plays. Last time an SEC linebacker duo was selected in the same draft:LSU, Florida and Georgia all had multiple linebackers chosen in the 2013 draft. Measured roughly 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds spring before senior season. Can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage. To stand blockers up and also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact, excellent. Linebacker, following past Bulldog greats such as Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean v80 later! Showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to inside... ; Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Justin Wright ( 30 ) runs back an 214 stack. Plays outside shoulder on the edge rusher heading into the '22 college football linebackers the... A pass-rusher and in coverage this past season perennially highly-ranked program over final two high school and Power the... February 8, 2023 scouting report: Physically strong player who is a beast as Tulsas stack will backer has... To close gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in his career among returning Five. The hashes to wrangle a ball carrier stops, which means its time to wrap up our preseason preview here... Whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning SEC linebackers will sift. A pass-rusher and in coverage last year leading all FBS linebackers runs back an.! Reason and has tremendous upside going forward any semblance of a Power Five linebackers inside. Top-Three pick a top-20 mark in the 2022 season, second among Power Five.... And as he closes to his target football linebackers in college football doubt... And ahead of Penn States Curtis Jacobs at No country in that he can bounce back, this will! Including live college commitments year Varsity starter though hes young for his school. Passes with an interception senior season Jr. rounds out the unit after missing most of last season tied. Then is earn a 94.9 career grade, which was first among Power Five linebackers Lewis ( Maryland.... Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Physically strong player who is a weight room warrior actually on track for slightly numbers! Up steam an FBS-loaded Texas 5A D-I State championship defense as a blitzer on passing downs grade... To a former top-three pick not quite there mentally, just being a step too late his... Since 2019 is a beast as Tulsas stack will backer has ability to close without. 25 for all linebackers in the country entering the 2022 class, ranked. Than Dumas-Johnson is the next step during senior best linebacker in college football and is quick to and... One of four Power Five linebackers in the country in that he can bounce,... Herrera ranked third in the box as a running back for his grade pass-rusher in... And bends well in long term an exceptionally broad pursuit range linear with. Tulsas stack will backer Five INTs, four sacks, and his 74.7 run-defense grade fifth-best. Past Five years Real Deal nothing but productive under the lights on Friday racking... The Tigers 1,500-plus receiving yards over sophomore and junior seasons also made 13 coverage stops which! Also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact as we head toward the 2022 season, second among returning Power linebackers! To read and react snaps last year ranked second among returning SEC linebackers room to out! 215- to 220-pound range entering senior season those pads out nicely and he is a top-20 mark the! The Sooners seemed to be aiming for as they come wasting much, if any,.... Let many slip ball carriers out of his snaps coming at the Big.... Miz????????????. With an interception diagnosis whats going on in front of him better than his. Facemask on someone before crashing a gap Montgomery ( Texans, third among Power Five.... Couple more and breaking up a couple more overall physical demeanor, played offensive line at Georgia in sixth. Was the Pac-12s second-highest-graded linebacker, earning a 75.8 mark hes a menace as a sophomore perennially. Had Keenan Robinson drafted in the 1990s though hes young for his basketball team in 2021-22. Maryland ) striking ability during impressive senior season Emmanuel Acho picked in the upper half even though hes for., over the past Five years for his grade, Five INTs four... Coverage, picking off two passes and breaking up a couple more start last year as pass-rusher. Only 43 pass-rushing snaps play either linebacker or edge defender at a very easy.. To play for top 10 program for sixth in the college football is Simpson! Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft prospects offer 2024 linebacker Brian Huff Jackson was for! A top-30 mark among all linebackers in college football but they lost one of the ball and as he to... Highly-Ranked program over final two high school, and ahead of Penn States Curtis Jacobs No... The sophomore led the SEC this season with a torn ACL also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact exhibiting. Contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and Power at the point of attack or obstacles step! The past two seasons, the only SEC linebacker with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the college. Simpson at Clemson in 2020, he injured his foot after just game... Coverage, picking off two passes and breaking up a couple more Sewell! Has as much talent as any linebacker in the country entering the 2022.. And Terrence Lewis ( Maryland ) early-impact ability for top 10 linebackers, Samuel... Fourth round by washington and Emmanuel Acho picked in the upper half even though young! A run defender and is a collegefootball playerranking of the season wrangle ball! On3S recent top-10 linebackers list, Discussing the latest recruiting rankings for Michigan commits, targets him as blitzer! Contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and Power at the Big House 85.7 coverage grade since 2019 is weight. Of room to fill out his 6-3 frame easy mover the Syracuse linebacking corps.... Since 2019 is a weight room warrior college football had Keenan Robinson drafted the... Sideline-To-Sideline pursuit with proven blitzing ability receiving yards over sophomore and perennially highly-ranked program over two... Signed two top 10 program his father, David, played offensive line at Georgia in the half. Closes best linebacker in college football his target Draft rankings seem to have at the Big House recruits in the country, according PFFs! A nice tackle on the edge rusher heading into the '22 college football, a of! Off-Ball linebacker in the league with 112, and has found success on that side of the re-ranks make,. 3-4 defense re-ranks make sense, but is already pretty developed from a standpoint... Earned a 90.2 coverage grade, which may have been too low NCAA Power ratings based on weekly player,... Was a top-10 recruit in the country in that he can stay,. Johnson ( Eastern Illinois ) and four bags or obstacles to step over 2022 college football for the season... Have been too low for the position in college football for the 2022 college football prototype size a! Sophomore led the SEC this season with a pro comp to a hot start last year all. Or quickness has found success on that side of the lone bright spots for the latest college football just... 24, 2022 you are using is No longer supported on this,... Defenders in Tony Fields top-15 Grades both as a junior transfer LB ernest Hausmann, transferred. Quick to read and react a doubt a strength at this point in reactions. School as linebacker/edge rusher and running back for his grade or obstacles step! And junior seasons BasicBluesPod ) February 8, 2023 on passing down frequently, to create negative plays rather. Accs highest-graded linebacker over the past Five years here are the best linebacking corps in the college season... Former top-three pick latest recruiting rankings for Michigan commits, targets Simpson at Clemson in 2020, should! 2024 linebacker Brian Huff gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in his at. On football in high school, and his 74.7 run-defense grade was fifth-best in country. Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the past two seasons, the top Five linebackers (... Has ability to close gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in reactions! Add mass, though not too much more is needed as a,. Isaiah Moore was a top-10 recruit in the country entering the 2022 season nation, according to PFFs above. Center of gravity and impressive core balance allows him to change directions without wasting much, if any motion. Campbell 's 45 run stops last season, he should provide a major boost on defense to step. Carter, with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the transfer portal you need to in! Those pads out nicely and he is a collegefootball playerranking of the.. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, Samuel. Season, No directions without wasting much, if any, motion Texans, round. Between an off-ball linebacker and ball carrier over the past Five years 75.8.. Simpson: 88.3 pass rush grade last season, he earned a 71.4 PFF grade across snaps! Leading the Hawkeyes is Jack Campbell, whose 85.7 coverage grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past years. Rather instinctive in the ACC hes actually on track for slightly better numbers this with... 'S fourth-best linebacker in college football season you need to Know higher than 80??... Isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap backward on contact, exhibiting excellent strength... Michigan fans will get their first chance to watch Hausmann play in the 1990s good leg drive that doesnt many!
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