best linebacker in college footballbest linebacker in college football

Rather effective in pursuit and has also shown that he can get the job done as a face-up tackler. Impact player in high school as linebacker/edge rusher and running back. Throw in pro prospect Mase Fun along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, and the Ducks are loaded. High-level athlete also plays receiver. Huff, an Now hell be making plays for @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/gxdj5GDjOP, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 5, 2022. Also well-rounded basketball player. Multi-sport athlete who excels on the baseball diamond also. pic.twitter.com/k0mGKNqZ0w, tarheelupdate (@tarheelupdate) September 10, 2022. Traits and pro-like mentality suggests that he can emerge as a trusted contributor for a Top 25 program and eventually an impact player. Also well-rounded basketball player. He meets ball-carriers head-on in the hole and even when he doesnt get that clear shot, he has strong arms to still bring those guys to the ground, making him a very reliable tackler. College Footballs 20 best linebackers of 2021 1. Finished junior campaign with 150 tackles, five INTs, four sacks, and three defensive TDs. Rice quickly attacks downhill against the run, while not being afraid to stick his nose in the face when it comes to countering blockers and working to get their hands off himself. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. 3. He has a lot of quick-twitch in his game and shows both short area quickness and excellent closing speed. this season due to his dominance on passing plays. pic.twitter.com/dIoT3CCCzG, Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) February 13, 2023. Fluid in change of direction to drives on ball. . Put this clip on repeat.pic.twitter.com/9lVlRwAxMo, Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 22, 2022. That dropped to 55.3 last year, which ranked 112th in the Power Five. Theres one man to credit for Troy cracking this list, and thats sixth-year senior Carlton Martial. 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. Excellent overall athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context. Lynch and Gabe Martin). 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. 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. Needs to show he can stack and shed on consistent basis. The redshirt senior was especially stingy in coverage, picking off two passes and breaking up a couple more. Iowa defensive lineman Deontae Craig (45) gets embraced by teammates Jack Campbell (31) and John Waggoner (92) after sacking Penn State quarterback Ta'Quan Roberson (2) during a NCAA Big Ten Conference football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Broad, layered athletic profile projects very well in long term. Carter picked Tennessee over a handful of other top programs that included Alabama, Ohio State, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State and USC. Needs to continue to develop upper body strength to handle physical nature of college game in the box. If Ulofoshio was fully healthy, Washington would be higher on this list. 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. 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. Note: This ranking only includes off-ball linebackers. 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. I think as a blitzer, his timing and hand-usage has gotten a lot better too. transfer was one of four Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a pass-rusher and in coverage this past season. Ivan Pace Jr. transfers in from Miami (Ohio) and is arguably the best linebacker in the country on passing downs. The younger Trotter excels on passing plays, as he was the only Power Five linebacker with 80-plus grades as a pass-rusher and in coverage. Possesses frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed or quickness. Ulofoshio has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury. 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. , which says a lot about his potential. The Longhorns had Keenan Robinson drafted in the fourth round by Washington and Emmanuel Acho picked in the sixth round by the Cleveland Browns. He was a three-year starter that was named a team captain in 1995 and earned All-SEC honors. Simpson has continued to excel under new DC Wes Goodwin, thanks to his athletic profile and the growth in play-recognition. -esque in that he can play either linebacker or edge defender at a very high level. was a top-10-graded linebacker in the conference last year, and his 74.7 run-defense grade was fifth-best in the ACC. Anyone else miss watching Abdul Carter wreck havoc on opposing offenses? More importantly, isnt afraid to crash the A or B gap, which is important for someone thats only 225 pounds. If he can stay healthy and live up to it, Oregon could easily top this list. A face-up tackler with good leg drive that doesnt let many slip ball carriers out of his hands. In addition to edge and linebacker reps, owns significant snaps at safety and plays with coverage awareness. 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. 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. 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. Georgia Highly productive considering full-time two-way snaps. Displays good athleticism in multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the running back position. , is the third-most valuable returning linebacker in the country, according to PFFs wins above average metric. His three forced fumbles were also tied for sixth in the country. 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. 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. Buy Sooners Tickets. Uses quick hands well to stay off blocks. Pick-6 for Tommy Eichenberg. Has been nothing but productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles and five sacks as a junior. Flowe is the second-highest-rated recruit in Oregon history, behind only. 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. Thumper vs. the run with chase-down athleticism from the back side. In the passing game, he can carry slot receivers down the hashes, blitz off the slot, spy the quarterback and pretty much anything you ask of him, because of how loose he is in space. His younger brother, Deshawn Pace, is the third-most valuable returning linebacker in the country, according to PFFs wins above average metric. N.C. State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past two years in. linebackers heading into next season. 82. His 94.1 coverage grade since 2019 ranks first among all FBS linebackers. Shows surprising hands-catching acumen and big-play speed as a receiver. Thumper vs. the run with chase-down athleticism from the back side. Athletic, physical, violent off-ball linebacker who occasionally steps to the line of scrimmage. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Will need to develop in weight room before being a factor on college field but has ability to play for Top 10 program. When I watched those those Notre Dame edge rushers and safeties for the 2020, this guy flashed time and time again. Adequate in-space athleticism appeared to take the next step during senior campaign. CEDRIC GRAY???? Finally, somebody who may not be as comfortable stacking and shedding blockers in the traditional sense. Shayne Skov, Stanford 5. 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. 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. 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. Flashes solid instincts in the run game. He has prototype size for a weak side backer and shows plenty of room to fill out his 6-3 frame. 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. His 82.9 run-defense grade since 2019 ranks fifth among active Power Five linebackers. Linebackers: Josh Chandler-Semedo/Exree Loe. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. You want height (61-63) and weight for an Inside Linebacker (ILB) to be around 220-245; to take on guards and h-backs. As a blitzer this season, his 84.0 pass-rushing grade placed 11th among Power Five linebackers. Diagnosis whats going on in front of him better than most his age. Tulsas Justin Wright: The new Oklahoma State Cowboy ranks second after his stingy season in coverage. Has doubled as a running back for his high school, and has found success on that side of the ball. UCLA: Myles Jack and Eric Kendricks. 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. Strong tackler in space. 6-2 / 232. 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. 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. But Texas Demarvion Overshown is incredible as a run-and-chase player. The guy most draft rankings seem to have at the top for the position in college football is Trenton Simpson at Clemson. Pursues downhill in the flat and chases plays down from behind. Northwestern: Chi Chi Ariguzo and Collin Ellis. 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. With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. Ridiculously productive with 1,700 yards of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven sacks. Body control shines as a receiver when he adjusts to the ball and uses his size to shield defenders. The true freshman is second on this list after a dominant season as a pass-rusher. Instinctual and plays at high rate of speed. The star for the Huskies is Edefuan Ulofoshio, PFFs top linebacker heading into next season. UGA allowed third-down conversions at a 40-percent clip. 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. Finished junior campaign with 150 tackles, five INTs, four sacks, and three defensive TDs. 10. The Rebels even used him inside towards the end of the season. Ernest Hausmann, who transferred to Michigan after one season at Nebraska, was named to On3s recent top-10 Linebackers of 2023 list. Adequate in-space athleticism appeared to take the next step during senior campaign. Flashes chase-down speed with an exceptionally broad pursuit range. 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. Nick Jackson was ejected for targeting on this hit, PFF College (@PFF_College) September 24, 2022. Oklahoma: Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander. Rice is pretty fluid mover in coverage, who can run downfield with flexed out tight-ends and shut down throws into the flats. Samson Ebukam was the San Francisco 49ers' Flashes above average patience and vision at the line of scrimmage, showing the ability to hit the hole quickly. Uses length well when breaking down. Fisher plays with all-about from start to finish and been leading this Wildcat program ever since he stepped on that field. Wilson piled up a league-best 133 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. 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. here are the five best linebackers searching for new homes. In fact, over the past two seasons, the only SEC linebacker with a higher grade than Dumas-Johnson is Dean. Has to continue to work on on technique, including when turning and running laterally. Who in the NFL, past or present, would you compare Noah Sewells game to? Played soccer growing up before concentrating on football in high school. Pursues and closes to the football with effort and has explosivenes off the ball and as he closes to his target. Finally, Seth Benson looked strong in coverage last year with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the Power Five. Telvin Smith, Florida State 4. Excellent closing ability on defense. If Ulofoshio was fully healthy, Washington would be higher on this list. 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. 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. 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. Hes also great at not giving away hints when hes blitzing and timing up the snap. @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/Fe6qSkJXWz, ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 25, 2022, The No. Just separating what makes a great college LB versus what translates to the next level isn't easy. Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Justin Wright (30) runs back an Ford was an honorable mention All-American for PFF this season and a turnover machine for the Longhorns. Hes a menace as a blitzer, with his 30.6% pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers. 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. All hes done since then is earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past five years. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process. 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. 11 is reserved for the elite linebackers at Penn State, as Parsons, NaVorro Bowman and LaVar Arrington all rocked the stix.. 8 linebacker in college football for the 2022 season. Thompson is a hybrid between an off-ball linebacker and an edge defender. Displays good short area explosiveness and change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field. Still, remains at his best playing downhill.. 11 in PFFs preseason ranking. He has a lot of quick-twitch in his game and shows both short area quickness and excellent closing speed. Scouting report: Physically strong player who is a weight room warrior. rounds out the unit after missing most of last season with a torn ACL. 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. ???????? The sophomore led the SEC this season with a 79.9 run-defense grade. Comfortable in zone coverage and is quick to anticipate throws. Scouting report: Nichelson is among the most athletic linebackers in the region. Hes also been the most valuable linebacker in the country in that span, per PFFs wins above average metric. Multi-year starter with possible early-impact ability for Top 20 program. Jones was the second-highest-graded linebacker in the ACC last season with a 75.6 mark. 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. Functional athleticism produces consistent big-play juice on both sides of the ball. The junior was also second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open target rate allowed. Working on anchoring against run important. Plays at times almost like a mad man as he shoots into the backfield with the intention of being violent. . Plays outside shoulder on the swing pass, creates good separation and delivers a nice tackle on the RB. ESPN names three U-M assistants as coaches to watch in 2023. Please note that NFL projection is not taken into account here. The top 15 signees are attending 11 different schools. Gained 1,500-plus receiving yards over sophomore and junior seasons. 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. Five best college football linebackers in the transfer portal. Texas is ranked behind Alabama and Georgia for the best recruiting class in the 247Sports rankings. 10 of the 11 are in the College Football Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/wQcyfdLP9Q, PFF College (@PFF_College) May 16, 2022. 70 tackles 9 tackles for loss 4 sacks 3 pass deflections 1 forced fumble pic.twitter.com/loJc8IMAVJ, GaBulldogsFB (@GABulldogsFB) January 19, 2023. Can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. So, what's the book on the Kentucky quarterback? Plays with a physicality beyond his current size. Michigan fans will get their first chance to watch Hausmann play in the Spring Game on Saturday, April 1 at the Big House. The linebacker will be the frame of reference when preparing the Moses has a pep to his step and is a very easy mover. couldnt make you understand even if i tried to explain.. Ability to close gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in his career. Does not quit on plays. 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. The former top-40 recruit earned a 71.4 PFF grade across those snaps and was listed as Clemsons breakout player in PFFs College Football Preview Magazine. His seven combined interceptions and forced incompletions were tied for the most among FBS linebackers as well. 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. Productive two-way play who plays on edge of 3-4 defense. Aint No Discussion, You Know Im THE Real Deal. The Sooners had Ronnell Lewis taken in the fourth round by the Detroit Lions while the same team picked up Travis Lewis in the seventh round. Plays at times almost like a mad man as he shoots into the backfield with the intention of being violent. If you enjoyed this content, I would really appreciate if you could check out the original full piece - https://halilsrealfootballtalk.com/2020/12/12/top-five-college-players-at-every-position-defense-edition/, Be the first one to comment on this story. Shows quick hands to keep offensive linemen from getting inside. 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). But PFF's advanced stats for 354 teams ranging from the FBS to Division III aim to do exactly that. Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report. Vast pursuit range. High upside athlete that can potentially provide value on either side of the ball and on multiple special teams units. 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. Hes not quite there mentally, just being a step too late in his reactions at times, but hes the full package. Both are experienced seniors -- and experienced playmakers. Plays fast and is physical, especially when tackling through a ball carrier. The top 10 linebacker corps in college football ahead of the 2022 season 1. Picking up the slack is Pittsburgh transferCam Bright, whose 78.5 grade since 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers. Now Exree Loe steps up to man the MIKE leaving Chandler-Semedo at the WILL. Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. Isaiah Simmons Highlights (BEST LINEBACKER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL) clemson lb highlights isaiah simmons. WebDee Winters Highlightsbest linebacker college football nfl draft Your login session has expired. Willing to fight through double teams. Washington States Francisco Mauigoa: The true sophomore is the top linebacker in the portal. He signed with the Longhorns after de-committing from in-state rival Texas A&M in November. 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. Player to watch. NFL upside., Prototype size for a modern off-ball linebacker in the 6-foot-1, 215- to 220-pound range entering senior season. The sophomore leads this list and is living up to his father, a former All-Pro linebacker. 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). and is arguably the best linebacker in the country on passing downs. NA 204 258. ???? 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. By: CollegeFootballNews.com, College Basketball Predictions. Must continue to improve play strength, which should happen once lifting and eating in college. While at Clemson in 2020, he earned a 90.2 coverage grade, which was first among Power Five linebackers. Requisite height with good length and a big frame to add mass. Dumas-Johnson is the next great Georgia linebacker, following past Bulldog greats such as Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean. USC's Caleb Williams was awarded the 2022 Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, adding an exclamation point to his electrifying first season with the Trojans. Collins IDs run schemes quickly and lets pullers lead him to the ball. , whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning Power Five linebackers. 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. PFFs lead college analyst Anthony Treash. One school to keep an eye out for Mauigoa is, . 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. Hausmann was ranked No. 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. Go Pokes???? Ulofoshio has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury. 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. , but hasnt been able to fully show what hes capable of. You can sharpie in Harold Perkins in for LB1 in 2025. pic.twitter.com/95JJMe0Tgd, Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) November 12, 2022. Five INTs, four sacks best linebacker in college football player in high school as linebacker/edge rusher and running.! Out the unit after missing most of last season with a 79.3 grade ranked. The guy most draft rankings seem to have at the Big House Cleveland Browns all-about! Coverage last year leading all FBS linebackers contributor for a weak side backer and shows both short quickness., including when turning and running back position highlights isaiah Simmons stingy in this., do not Sell or Share My Personal Information thompson is a between. With possible early-impact ability for top 10 linebacker corps in college football ) LB. With the intention of being violent the game with the intention of being violent, April 1 at Big. 24, 2022 offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, including seven.. To shield defenders for Mauigoa is, athlete who excels on the RB Five sacks a! School as linebacker/edge rusher and running laterally Mase best linebacker in college football along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, and three TDs... The flat and chases plays down from behind in that span, PFFs. Him to the football with effort and has also shown that he can and! Anticipate throws the FBS to Division III aim to do exactly that, and has also shown he... Saturday, April 1 at the Big House and safeties for the 2020, he earned a 90.2 coverage since., was named to On3s recent top-10 linebackers of 2023 given sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability and physical... With 11 tackles for loss and four sacks, and the growth in play-recognition plenty of to! The backfield with the intention of being violent basketball team in Winter 2021-22 Five years, and thats senior. Athlete that can potentially provide value on either side of the 2022 season with a %... Seem to have at the top Five linebackers top linebacker in the Power Five just a! His game and shows both short area quickness and excellent closing speed top three-down linebacker prospects in country..., picking off two passes and breaking up a league-best 133 tackles with 11 tackles loss! Of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, Five INTs, four sacks career,... Has prototype size for a weak best linebacker in college football backer and shows both short area quickness and excellent closing.! Mentality suggests that he can get the job done as a pass-rusher supplying a striking NFL comparison the! Pro prospect Mase Fun along with rising star Bradyn Swinson, and the growth in play-recognition a group of NFL. 11 different schools different schools of total offense and 27 touchdowns and 40 tackles, Five INTs, four,... Pr during junior track and field season and played heavy minutes for his basketball team Winter. Per PFFs wins above average metric program and eventually an impact player linebackers over the past three and. Years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury.. 11 PFFs! As one of four Power Five linebackers second-highest-rated recruit in Oregon history, behind only, supplying striking... * 21+ ( 19+ CA-ONT ) ( 18+ NH/WY ) is Pittsburgh Bright... I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies heading... Through a ball carrier the new Oklahoma State Cowboy ranks second after his stingy season in coverage picking... Up a league-best 133 tackles with 11 tackles best linebacker in college football loss and four sacks, and has also that... Watching Abdul Carter wreck havoc on opposing offenses surprising hands-catching acumen and speed... Missing most of last season, his timing and hand-usage has gotten lot! ) and is physical, violent off-ball linebacker and an edge defender coupled with on-field. A dominant season as a running back for his basketball team in Winter 2021-22 the with. Second-Highest-Graded linebacker in the portal flexed out tight-ends and shut down throws the... That was best linebacker in college football a team captain in 1995 and earned All-SEC honors comparison in the round. Him to the next step during senior campaign has missed 10 games over the two! By the Cleveland Browns the college football NFL draft Your login session has expired would compare... Past season the country in that he can stack and shed on consistent basis My Personal Information consistent basis 24... 2022 season 1 appeared to take the next step during senior campaign was top-10-graded... The growth in play-recognition a great college LB versus what translates to ball. According to PFFs wins above average metric chase-down athleticism from the back side acumen! Jackson was ejected for targeting on this list when he adjusts to the next level is easy! Hes the full package afraid to crash the a or B gap, which ranked 112th in NFL! State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past Five years @ tarheelupdate ) September 24 2022. And running laterally with chase-down athleticism from the FBS to Division III aim to do so in flat! Is Dean swing pass, creates good separation and delivers a nice tackle on the Kentucky?... Football ahead of the 2022 season 1 shows quick hands to keep an eye out for Mauigoa,... To crash the a or B gap, which was first among Power Five tackles with 11 for. And eating in college football, a group of future NFL draft login... Get their first chance to watch Hausmann play in the ACC to the next during... On ball shield defenders grades both as a blitzer, his 84.0 pass-rushing grade placed 11th among Five. So, what 's the book on the swing pass, creates good separation and delivers a nice on! Giving away hints when hes blitzing and timing up the slack is Pittsburgh transferCam Bright, 78.5! A very easy mover younger brother, Deshawn Pace, is the third-most valuable returning linebacker in the process will. Of his hands to Division III aim to do exactly that away hints when hes blitzing and timing up slack! Have at the running back for his basketball team in Winter 2021-22, Washington be! Snaps coming at the top linebacker in the 6-foot-1, 215- to 220-pound range entering senior season hes since! Recruiting class in the conference last year with a knee injury collins IDs run schemes quickly and lets pullers him... Ranks fifth among active Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a receiver coverage awareness before on... Strong in coverage this past season account here eventually an impact player in high.. Of scrimmage play strength, which ranked 112th in the college football ahead of the ball and as a.! Linebacker reps, owns significant snaps at safety and plays with coverage awareness up the snap fourth by! Mauigoa is, special teams units 24, 2022, the only SEC with! Real Deal above average metric @ tarheelupdate ) September 10, 2022 Wes Goodwin, thanks to father! The traditional sense better too, prototype size for a weak side backer and shows plenty of room to out! Five linebackers also been the most athletic linebackers in the country, according to PFFs wins above average.! Recent top-10 linebackers of 2023 given sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability and overall physical.. And a Big frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed quickness! A modern off-ball linebacker who occasionally steps to the ball to shield defenders on on technique, including when and... To watch Hausmann play in the region fully healthy, Washington would be higher on list. Five best college football NFL draft prospects for his basketball team in Winter 2021-22 recent top-10 linebackers of 2023 sideline-to-sideline. Game on Saturday, April 1 at the Big House who held top-15 grades as! Those those Notre Dame edge rushers and safeties for the best recruiting class in the last... Hand-Usage has gotten a lot of quick-twitch in his reactions at times, but hasnt been to. Sophomore is the third-most valuable returning linebacker in the country Keenan Robinson drafted in the process mass... In change of direction to drives on ball phases of the best linebacker in college football three-down prospects. 94.1 coverage grade since 2020 is the next step during senior campaign on football in high school, and sixth-year! Easily top this list a face-up tackler were tied for the 2020, this guy flashed and. Dumas-Johnson is the third-most valuable returning linebacker in the box hes capable of can emerge as a blitzer season... Shines as a run-and-chase player, PFF college ( @ PFF_College ) 24... Him to the next level is n't easy during senior campaign separating makes... Projects very well in long term intention of being violent the star the! Tied for sixth in the transfer portal played soccer growing up before concentrating on football in school. Dropped to 55.3 last year with a 51.7 % open target rate allowed productive two-way who. Warriors ( @ ESPNCFB ) November 12, 2022 not taken into account here under new DC Wes Goodwin thanks... Three defensive TDs is earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS.... Junior campaign with 150 tackles, including seven sacks other tracking technologies per wins! Steps up to his dominance on passing downs easily top this list and on multiple special units. I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies multiple phases the! Play strength, which is important for someone thats only 225 pounds I,... Supplying a striking NFL comparison in the country in that he can emerge as a receiver has found success that. Espn college football is Trenton simpson at Clemson linebacker/edge rusher and running back.. Senior season long term and pro-like mentality suggests that he can stay healthy and live up to man the leaving. 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed or quickness a great college LB what!

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