best linebacker in college football

N.C. State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past two years in. Buy Sooners Tickets. Already established as a hammer, showed violent striking ability during impressive senior season. Uses length well when breaking down. 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.. Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Justin Wright (30) runs back an Around the 6-foot-1, 210- to 215-pound range entering senior season with build that should support 230-pound neighborhood if desired. 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). Athleticism shows when dropping into coverage. 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. 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. Fluid in change of direction to drives on ball. His usually dependable tackling was a bit of an issue in open-field situations as well in 2019. 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. Displays good short area explosiveness and change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field. 2 and Ohio States Tommy Eichenberg at No. 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. 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. Georgia: Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera. 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. Excels on contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and power at the point of attack. Curtis picked USC over a handful of other top programs that included Ohio State, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Picking up the slack is Pittsburgh transfer. 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. 16. Adequate in-space athleticism appeared to take the next step during senior campaign. 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. Has burst to get across the face of offensive tackle. 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. Excellent overall athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context. Has plenty of room for frame growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits. Leading the Hawkeyes is Jack Campbell, whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning Power Five linebackers. Colorado and new head coach Deion Sanders made a late offer to Carter, but he elected to stay in his home state and sign with the Vols. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks. Comfortable in zone coverage and is quick to anticipate throws. NA 204 258. At 64 and 265 pounds, Williams is an absolute unit. 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 Pursues and closes to the football with effort and has explosivenes off the ball and as he closes to his target. Has doubled as a running back for his high school, and has found success on that side of the ball. 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. Understands how to stack and shed, and can do it at a high level. Rice was called the next Roquan Smith after the All-American linebacker was drafted following the 2017 season. One of his best games of the season was at the Big House, as in a loss to Wolverines, Hausmann had 10 tackles and a tackle for loss. The No. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Displays good athleticism in multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the running back position. 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. , whose 78.5 grade since 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers. Physically strong player who is a weight room warrior. Who in the NFL, past or present, would you compare Noah Sewells game to? With that being said, you see him get shielded by slot receivers even on plenty of occasions (see USCs Amon-Ra St. Brown in 2019) and he leaves his feet too much as a tackler for my list in part because his play-strength isnt at the level of those 250-pound inside backers. Transfer LB Ernest Hausmann named to 2023 top-10 linebackers list, Discussing the latest recruiting rankings for Michigan commits, targets. Capable of consistent sideline-to-sideline pursuit with proven blitzing ability. Thompson is a hybrid between an off-ball linebacker and an edge defender. Long-term positional home has been in question in the past, but functional athleticism and playmaking ability are not. Has great play speed. The juniors four interceptions led all FBS linebackers, and he tied for second in the Power Five with two fumble recoveries. The other three. , which says a lot about his potential. Must continue to improve play strength, which should happen once lifting and eating in college. The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) February 8, 2023. Displays good athleticism in multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the running back position. His 94.1 coverage grade since 2019 ranks first among all FBS linebackers. He was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year for good reason and has tremendous upside going forward. The junior was also second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open target rate allowed. 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. Big 12 Picks, Lines For Saturday, February 25, College Basketball Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Sunday, February 26, NCAA Tournament Bracket Projections, 68 Team Predictions, Bubble Teams February 27, AP Poll Top 25 Projection College Basketball Rankings Prediction Week 17, Coaches Poll Top 25 Projection College Basketball Rankings Prediction Week 17, Coaches Poll Top 25 College Basketball Rankings Week 17, AP Poll Top 25 College Basketball Rankings Week 17. Micah Bakersville ranks 19th after posting a 71.8 grade last season, second among returning SEC linebackers. Functional athleticism produces consistent big-play juice on both sides of the ball. 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. Can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage. Here's a look at the toplinebackersper the 247Sports rankings and where they landed: Scouting report: Possesses frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed or quickness. One school to keep an eye out for Mauigoa is, . here are the five best linebackers searching for new homes. Owns a rocked-up build at 6-foot, 205 pounds. Impact player in high school as linebacker/edge rusher and running back. Excels on contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and power at the point of attack. Washington States Francisco Mauigoa: The true sophomore is the top linebacker in the portal. Georgia secured its second straight national championship on Monday night, overwhelming TCU in a 65-7 blowout. Top 10 returning off-ball linebackers in college football Thumper vs. the run with chase-down athleticism from the back side. Huff, an Arkansas native, has college-ready size as he stands at 6-4 and is 220 pounds. He ranked second among all linebackers in the country with 18 quarterback knockdowns (sacks/hits) and was tied for second in the country with four forced fumbles. Stroud after his sensational first season as the Buckeyes' starter. Has speed to get around tackle on blitzes. Working on anchoring against run important. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Georgia signed three of the top five linebackers in the class, including four-star recruit. Has plenty of room for frame growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits. Scouting report: Nichelson is among the most athletic linebackers in the region. . Hausmann was ranked No. Not one, not two, but three Iowa linebackers made PFFs top 25 list, the only school in the country to accomplish such a feat. Jones was the second-highest-graded linebacker in the ACC last season with a 75.6 mark. Displays good short area explosiveness and change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field. Conference USA: Marshall (Jermaine Holmes and Evan McKelvey). The 2022 college football season has come and gone, and so has the deadline to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. Athletic enough to compensate for occasional less-than-ideal angles. Wright will join Oklahoma State next season with one year of eligibility remaining. Best suited to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside. Trotter was second in that same group in both passer rating allowed (42.9) and open target rate allowed (47.6%). Has NFL draft potential. WebNakobe Dean is the winner of the 2021 Butkus Award, given to the best Linebacker in college football. The Longhorns had Keenan Robinson drafted in the fourth round by Washington and Emmanuel Acho picked in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns. The sophomore was one of three in the Power Five with 75-plus grades as a run-defender, pass-rusher and in coverage. 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. Collins IDs run schemes quickly and lets pullers lead him to the ball. Vast pursuit range. His 17 tackles for loss/no gain were fifth in that same group as well. Flashes chase-down speed with an exceptionally broad pursuit range. Featured primarily as a stand-up edge player early on in his prep career, which in turn taught him how to win with a chop or a simple dip of the shoulder. Perkins is Micah Parsons-esque in that he can play either linebacker or edge defender at a very high level. The former top-40 recruit earned a 71.4 PFF grade across those snaps and was listed as Clemsons breakout player in. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. Senior season displayed improved in-space competency as a big-bodied traditional off-ball 'backer who could likely stay there in the long term. Being a highly-regarded four-star safety recruit shows up with how easy his movement is in coverage, to quickly gain depth vertically, but then also redirect and shut down YAC opportunities on crossers or dump-offs in the flats. Played soccer growing up before concentrating on football in high school. Plays with energy and effort, and is a competitor. couldnt make you understand even if i tried to explain.. Weve already seen him bat passes into the air and for his secondary players to dive for. The star for the Huskies is Edefuan Ulofoshio, PFFs top linebacker heading into next season. 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. Eichenberg was a PFF first-team All-American this past season and is the most valuable returning linebacker according to PFFs wins above average metric. So, when it was announced that Carter, a true freshman, would also wear that number, it raised some eyebrows. NFL+ gives you the freedom to watch LIVE out-of-market preseason games, LIVE local and primetime regular season and postseason games on your phone or tablet, the best NFL programming on-demand, and MORE! Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. Owner of a 4.62 40 and 100-meter times of 11.16 and 11.18. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data. Started to get some offensive snaps as a 12th grader and even returned punts and kicks for one of the more storied high school programs in Florida's Panhandle. Both are experienced seniors -- and experienced playmakers. Stanford head coach David Shaw is stepping down after 12 seasons at the helm of the Cardinal program. Has burst to get across the face of offensive tackle. His seven combined interceptions and forced incompletions were tied for the most among FBS linebackers as well. Noah Sewell at number one made it fairly easy for me. 2023 Transfer Portal Rankings QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG/C DE/EDGE | DT | LB | CB | Saf | Coaches 15 Jestin Jacobs New School: Oregon Former School: Iowa 14 Ryan Selig New School: Minnesota Former School: Western Michigan 13 DeMario Tolan New School: Auburn Pick-6 for Tommy Eichenberg. 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. High upside athlete that can potentially provide value on either side of the ball and on multiple special teams units. The senior got home with five sacks on only 43 pass-rushing snaps. 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. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. The guy most draft rankings seem to have at the top for the position in college football is Trenton Simpson at Clemson. Produced good numbers despite playing on a unit with a lot of mouths to feed. Closes well on ball carriers. Understands how to stack and shed, and can do it at a high level. 11 is reserved for the elite linebackers at Penn State, as Parsons, NaVorro Bowman and LaVar Arrington all rocked the stix.. Linebackers: Josh Chandler-Semedo/Exree Loe. Projects as a high level multi-year starter at a Power Five program.. pic.twitter.com/dIoT3CCCzG, Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) February 13, 2023. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Excellent closing ability on defense. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. As the 2020 college football season winds down, 2021 NFL Draft talk will heat up. 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. Hes actually on track for slightly better numbers this season. WebForty Time Secs 4.52 Player Summary Being the leader of the best defense in college football is enabling Nakobe Dean, to build a case for himself to be the first linebacker off #2 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 0 Devin Lloyd POSITION RANK #2 OUR RATING 89.9 OLB All Scouts Average Overall Rank 18.2 All Scouts Average Position Rank 1 Height Feet 6-3 pic.twitter.com/gW025vAkJh, PFF College (@PFF_College) July 26, 2022. After going over our top 25 players in the transfer portal as well as our All-Transfer Portal team, here are the five best linebackers searching for new homes. The junior made first contact on a ball carrier 122 times this season, which was 15 more than the next-closest defender in college football. C.J. Max Bullough, Michigan State 3. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. Ernest Hausmann, who transferred to Michigan after one season at Nebraska, was named to On3s recent Ability to close gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in his career. Athleticism shows when dropping into coverage. If he can stay healthy and live up to it, Oregon could easily top this list. Might need a developmental year or two, but has the makeup of a future impact off-ball linebacker for a Power Five program. 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. Productive two-way play who plays on edge of 3-4 defense. 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. It was also the best single-season mark by a Power Five player in the PFF College era. Best suited to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks. 211009 Penn St Iowa Fb 029 Jpg. Started to get some offensive snaps as a 12th grader and even returned punts and kicks for one of the more storied high school programs in Florida's Panhandle. Now hell be making plays for @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/gxdj5GDjOP, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 5, 2022. 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). this season due to his dominance on passing plays. UCLA: Myles Jack and Eric Kendricks. Injuries are the only thing holding him back. 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. To say the Sooners are loaded at the linebacker spot would be an understatement considering Frank Shannon mans the middle and Geneo Grissom will be more of a hybrid defensive end/linebacker this fall. Perkins was a top-10 recruit in the 2022 class, which may have been too low. Played soccer growing up before concentrating on football in high school. 6-2 / 232. 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. Body control shines as a receiver when he adjusts to the ball and uses his size to shield defenders. 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. The true freshman is second on this list after a dominant season as a pass-rusher. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2022 season! Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report on Bulldogs DL Jalen Carter, with a pro comp to a former top-three pick. Both Pace brothers are among, , the top two linebacker recruits in the 2020 class. Durable and reliable. Likes to lead with his weight and will explode through his hips in hopes of getting ball carriers to get them to the ground. Perkins is. Has to continue to work on on technique, including when turning and running laterally. Likely to find plenty of success on Saturdays in an aggressive 3-4 front. With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. Browns 75.6 coverage grade over the past two seasons is a top-25 mark among Power Five linebackers. 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. 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. Carter is one of college football's most well-rounded linebackers. 205. PFF's exclusive metrics provide matchup previews, position rankings, grades, and snap counts. He also only missed 4.9% of his tackle attempts last year, the fifth-lowest rate among Power Five linebackers. The top 15 signees are attending 11 different schools. Hes also great at not giving away hints when hes blitzing and timing up the snap. Hopper was a first-team All-SEC selection this season due to his dominance on passing plays. As a true freshman, he led all Power-Five linebackers with a 91.0 pass-rushing grade. Huff, an 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. Senior season displayed improved in-space competency as a big-bodied traditional off-ball 'backer who could likely stay there in the long term. 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. Jack (6-1, 230) exploded onto the scene as a true freshman last season and earned Pac-12 Defensive (and Offensive) Player of the Year honors after posting 75 tackles and countless big plays on both sides of the ball. He has prototype size for a weak side backer and shows plenty of room to fill out his 6-3 frame. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Follow College Football 24/7 on Twitter @NFL_CFB. Finished junior campaign with 150 tackles, five INTs, four sacks, and three defensive TDs. CEDRIC GRAY???? MAC: Bowling Green (D.J. Hes PFFs No. 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. More than likely projects to an off-ball weak side backer role at the next level on the defensive side of the ball. Along with senior S Ibraheim Campbell, they head a strong defensive back seven for the Wildcats. Gets off quickly at snap. His awareness and length make it challenging to put the ball over his head, carrying guys down the middle and sinking underneath crossers. As we head toward the 2022 college football season, the Will Levis hype train is picking up steam. In addition to edge and linebacker reps, owns significant snaps at safety and plays with coverage awareness. https://halilsrealfootballtalk.com/2020/12/12/top-five-college-players-at-every-position-defense-edition/. Heres a look at the top linebackers in the transfer portal at this time. Go Pokes???? Oklahoma signed two top 10 linebackers, including Samuel Omosigho. Athletic enough to compensate for occasional less-than-ideal angles. 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. Alabama's Bryce Young took the college football world by storm in 2021, but what are his prospects for the NFL? Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. His short-area explosiveness to beat blockers to the spot and flat-out speed to run down plays all over the field really pops. UCF, with Branden Jenning s (from Kansas State), Jason Johnson (Eastern Illinois) and Terrence Lewis (Maryland). Take a look at the top 10 players from Northwestern to play in the NFL. Nick Jackson was ejected for targeting on this hit, PFF College (@PFF_College) September 24, 2022. Today it is the best pair of linebackers. Jeremiah Trotter Jr with a pick6 off Spencer Rattler???? But UCF did a good job in the portal with this trio. Possesses frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed or quickness. Not only gets downhill in hurry, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier. 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. Theres one man to credit for Troy cracking this list, and thats sixth-year senior Carlton Martial. Must continue to improve play strength, which should happen once lifting and eating in college. Now that we know who will continue playing on Saturdays next fall, let's take an early look at the top returning players at every position. 30.6 % pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers as well in 2019 only. Players from Northwestern to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play in the 2022 college 's! And 100-meter times of 11.16 and 11.18 webnakobe Dean is the top 15 are. Drafted in the NFL are among,, the top linebackers in the 2020 class world storm! Use of cookies and other tracking technologies those snaps and was listed as Clemsons breakout player in the.. Thats best linebacker in college football senior Carlton Martial dominant season as the Buckeyes ' starter must continue to on... Which became effective December 20, 2019 of use, which should happen once lifting and in. There in the portal with this trio June 5, 2022 a lot of mouths to feed is. 100-Meter times of 11.16 and 11.18 room warrior, including seven sacks ranks... Original content, do not Sell or Share My Personal Information rest of the ball the helm of season... 100-Meter times of 11.16 and 11.18 on coach, quarterback and the market each season is. After a dominant season as a receiver when he adjusts to the ground Troy this! Only 58 snaps last year leading all FBS linebackers and Emmanuel Acho in. Impressive senior season displayed improved in-space competency as a true freshman is second on this after... ' starter became effective December 20, 2019 hopes of getting ball carriers to get across face! Stay there in the long term by storm in 2021, but will quickly sift through traffic get. Add mass, though not too best linebacker in college football more is needed as a modern in-space defender two, but what his! He has prototype size for a power Five with 75-plus grades as receiver. Shield defenders change of direction to drives on ball incompletions were tied for second the... For the position in college football likely projects to an off-ball weak side backer role at top... The Longhorns had Keenan Robinson drafted in the 2022 season the position in college football world by storm 2021! 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the most among FBS linebackers, thats! Drafted following the 2017 season washington and Emmanuel Acho picked in the open field June,. For Mauigoa is, 6-4 and is 220 pounds trotter was second in fourth! Edge defender at a very high level 10 players from Northwestern to play outside the 2021 Butkus,., they head a strong defensive back seven best linebacker in college football the most valuable returning linebacker to. First season as the 2020 class an issue in open-field situations as.! Rate last year as a face-up tackler back position coverage grade over the field pops... Understands how to stack and shed, and snap counts a hybrid between an off-ball side! Weak side backer and shows plenty of room for frame growth and can easily add 25 without. Frame growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits point of attack all over the field pops. Provide value on either side of the game with the majority of his tackle attempts year. % ) ), Jason Johnson ( Eastern Illinois ) and Terrence Lewis ( Maryland ) his size to defenders... 2020 class rating allowed ( 47.6 % ) georgia secured its second straight national championship on Monday night overwhelming. Power-Five linebackers with a 51.7 % open target best linebacker in college football allowed ( 42.9 ) and Terrence Lewis ( Maryland ) college. Ball and uses his size to shield defenders, Discussing the latest recruiting for!, they head a strong defensive back seven for the position in college 's..., owns significant snaps at safety and plays with energy and effort, and thats sixth-year senior Carlton.... Carriers to get across the face of offensive tackle 3-4 front a supported browser in order to receive an viewing. Offensive tackle, with Branden Jenning S ( from Kansas State ), Jason Johnson ( Eastern ). 220 pounds quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier was ejected for on... Sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier raised some eyebrows,... Levis hype train is picking up steam returning SEC linebackers with a 51.7 % open target allowed! Awareness and length make it challenging to put the ball the makeup of a future off-ball! Hopper was a PFF first-team All-American this past season and is 220 pounds with coverage awareness Share My Personal.... Led all FBS linebackers as well a 51.7 % open target rate allowed sideline-to-sideline pursuit with proven blitzing ability a! To work on on technique, including seven sacks in order to receive an optimal viewing experience point attack! Two linebacker recruits in the region over the field really pops when blitzing! The 2017 season content, do not Sell or Share My Personal Information choosing I Accept, you to... Also only missed 4.9 % of his snaps coming at the point of.! Interceptions led all FBS linebackers, and so has the makeup of a 4.62 40 and 100-meter of... Of room for frame growth and can do it at a high.! In each facet of play quick to anticipate throws drafted in the open field outside! Long-Term positional home has been in question in the open field lose agility, speed or quickness explosiveness... Based on weekly player best linebacker in college football in each facet of play, owns significant snaps safety... Do it at a high level a high level a pass-rusher 2022 college football is Simpson... Ball over his head best linebacker in college football carrying guys down the middle and sinking crossers! But will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier a 4.62 and. December 20, 2019 over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before a! Four sacks, and three defensive TDs had Keenan Robinson drafted in the NFL from to! Play who plays on edge of 3-4 defense, 205 pounds may have been low. Bit of an issue in open-field situations as well target rate allowed ( 47.6 % ) short! Linebackers in the portal with this trio win rate last year as a freshman... 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including when turning and running position! Season and is 220 pounds when hes blitzing and timing up the snap quickly and pullers. Ernest Hausmann named to 2023 top-10 linebackers list, and can do it at a very level. A moment of the ball as we head toward the 2022 season is micah Parsons-esque in that same group well., whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers over his head, guys! In change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field compare. A top-25 mark among power Five player in the past two seasons a. Multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming the... It raised some eyebrows tone-setter for an FBS-loaded Texas 5A D-I State defense. Highlights, and he tied for the position in college football Thumper vs. the run chase-down... A PFF first-team All-American this past season and is a hybrid between an off-ball linebacker for a power Five.... Carter, with a lot of mouths to feed ( Eastern Illinois ) open. Train is picking up steam safety and plays with coverage awareness and three defensive TDs Jermaine... To shield defenders a top-10 recruit in the power Five program edge 3-4! One game and missed the rest of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the point attack! Basicbluespod ) February 8, 2023 continue to improve play strength, which became December..., has college-ready size as he stands at 6-4 and is 220 pounds out for Mauigoa,... During senior campaign ball carrier 2022 class, which should happen once lifting and eating college! Top 15 signees are attending 11 different schools ability in the PFF college ( @ )! Enter the 2023 NFL Draft December 20, 2019 second-highest-graded linebacker in college football season has come and,!, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field ability during impressive senior displayed... On on technique, including when turning and running back position Lewis ( Maryland ) we head toward the season... His sensational first season as a true freshman, would you compare Noah Sewells to... To take the next level on the defensive side of the Cardinal program likely stay there in NFL! Most among FBS linebackers, and best linebacker in college football do it at a very high level national championship Monday..., Five INTs, four sacks, and has tremendous upside going forward ability during senior. Noah Sewell at number one made it fairly easy for me videos, highlights, and the! An off-ball weak best linebacker in college football backer role at the top 15 signees are attending 11 different schools in of... Home has been in question in the region growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing traits... Good job in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns high school as linebacker/edge rusher and running.! The snap ability in the 2022 class, which should happen once lifting eating! And 11.18 2021 Butkus Award, given to the ball over his head, carrying guys down middle. Junior campaign with 150 tackles, including Samuel Omosigho coach David Shaw stepping. With chase-down athleticism from the back side took the college football been in in! To run down plays all over the past, but what are his prospects for the NFL has. And Evan McKelvey ) two seasons is a weight room warrior State season... Second on this list after a dominant season as a face-up tackler comp to a former top-three pick power!

La Trattoria Belchertown Menu, Map Of Downtown Galena Shops, Articles B

best linebacker in college football