best linebacker in college football

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. A meniscus injury ended his freshman campaign after just five snaps. Long-term positional home has been in question in the past, but functional athleticism and playmaking ability are not. If Ulofoshio was fully healthy, Washington would be higher on this list. 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. Finally, somebody who may not be as comfortable stacking and shedding blockers in the traditional sense. Working on anchoring against run important. Washington States Travion Brown: Arizona States new linebacker has dominated in coverage over the past two seasons. 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. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. Justin Flowe has as much talent as any linebacker in college football, but he hasnt had any semblance of a break with injuries. Not one, not two, but three Iowa linebackers made PFFs top 25 list, the only school in the country to accomplish such a feat. The senior got home with five sacks on only 43 pass-rushing snaps. Seasoned blitzer that can get home with his elite burst on Friday nights. 6-2 / 232. For perspective on the 245 stops they combined for, consider that only six defenders league-wide posted 100-plus tackles, and three of those don't return. 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. 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. The former top-40 recruit earned a 71.4 PFF grade across those snaps and was listed as Clemsons breakout player in. His father, David, played offensive line at Georgia in the 1990s. Will need to develop in weight room before being a factor on college field but has ability to play for Top 10 program. Comfortable in zone coverage and is quick to anticipate throws. On the spring roster, Hausmann is listed at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds. Body control shines as a receiver when he adjusts to the ball and uses his size to shield defenders. transfer was one of four Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a pass-rusher and in coverage this past season. Simpson was right up there with those two 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. Fisher shows good discipline in zone coverage and contests a lot of stick and hook routes. Strong tackler in space. Hell wear No. Follow College Football 24/7 on Twitter @NFL_CFB. Last season, he injured his foot after just one game and missed the rest of the season. Rice was called the next Roquan Smith after the All-American linebacker was drafted following the 2017 season. Possesses the size to immediately give you snaps at the P5 level. The buzz: The Knights best linebacker, Tatum Bethune, transferred to Florida State. If he can stay healthy, he should provide a major boost on defense to his next school. 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). Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Along with senior S Ibraheim Campbell, they head a strong defensive back seven for the Wildcats. 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. 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. 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. Productive two-way play who plays on edge of 3-4 defense. Carter is one of college footballs most well-rounded linebackers. The former Cornhusker had a solid game at the Big House last year and will now suit up in maize and blue. Desire to make those around him better also a pretty unique trait in the year 2022. 10 of the 11 are in the College Football Hall of Fame. Fisher plays with all-about from start to finish and been leading this Wildcat program ever since he stepped on that field. Gets off quickly at snap. Buy Sooners Tickets. UCF, with Branden Jenning s (from Kansas State), Jason Johnson (Eastern Illinois) and Terrence Lewis (Maryland). The three best linebacker transfer classes. The sophomore was one of three in the Power Five with 75-plus grades as a run-defender, pass-rusher and in coverage. 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. One school to keep an eye out for Mauigoa is, . 82. Gray flew around North Carolinas defense this year on his way to becoming a PFF second-team All-American. 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. That dropped to 55.3 last year, which ranked 112th in the Power Five. Martial is listed as PFF's fourth-best linebacker in the country entering the 2022 season. Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. His three forced fumbles were also tied for sixth in the country. ESPN names three U-M assistants as coaches to watch in 2023. Anyone else miss watching Abdul Carter wreck havoc on opposing offenses? Instinctual and plays at high rate of speed. One school to keep an eye out for Mauigoa is Miami (FL). Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. Power Rankings are PFFs NCAA power ratings based on weekly player grades in each facet of play. 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. 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. , the sophomore linebacker has lived up to his fathers name and then some. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Northwestern: Chi Chi Ariguzo and Collin Ellis. But PFF's advanced stats for 354 teams ranging from the FBS to Division III aim to do exactly that. The junior has allowed only 172 receiving yards in that span, the fifth fewest for Power Five linebackers. His 34.5% pressure rate last year ranked second among Power Five linebackers. Ford was an honorable mention All-American for PFF this season and a turnover machine for the Longhorns. It was also the best single-season mark by a Power Five player in the PFF College era. So, when it was announced that Carter, a true freshman, would also wear that number, it raised some eyebrows. The junior was also second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open target rate allowed. The sophomore leads this list and is living up to his father, a former All-Pro linebacker. Theres one man to credit for Troy cracking this list, and thats sixth-year senior Carlton Martial. 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. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. linebackers heading into next season. 4 on the season ???? 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. Not only gets downhill in hurry, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier. He also only missed 4.9% of his tackle attempts last year, the fifth-lowest rate among Power Five linebackers. 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. LSU is one of only four schools with multiple linebackers in. Hicks was the crown jewel of the Buckeyes top-five recruiting class from the 2022 cycle, but his role as a freshman was limited to special 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. Uses length well when breaking down. 2 linebacker in both PFFs preseason college rankings and PFF's 2023 NFL Draft big board. WebFlashes ability to stand blockers up and also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact. Ability to close gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in his career. Shows surprising hands-catching acumen and big-play speed as a receiver. He led the nation with 140 tackles in 2021, and hes the , but hasnt been able to fully show what hes capable of. Rather effective in pursuit and has also shown that he can get the job done as a face-up tackler. Now hell be making plays for @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/gxdj5GDjOP, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 5, 2022. Has NFL draft potential.. Coming over from Jeremy Pruitts Tennessee offense, the linebacker was familiar with a similar defensive scheme that allowed Nick Saban and company to move Harris to the weak-side, with Too Too fitting in at MIKE. 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. For clarification, these lists are based on where these young men are today as college football players. The Tigers also return sophomore Barrett Carter, a former five-star recruit. Top 10 returning off-ball linebackers in college football His 26 pressures in 2021 trailed only Trenton Simpson among ACC linebackers. Verified high 4.6 speed with shuttle in 4.2s, which showcases change of direction and acceleration. 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). His 82.9 run-defense grade since 2019 ranks fifth among active Power Five linebackers. Displays good athleticism in multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the running back position. 3 NC State Finally, Seth Benson looked strong in coverage last year with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the Power Five. The other three, Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean and Channing Tindall, all were taken within the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. Possesses frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed or quickness. Rather instinctive in the box as a run defender and is quick to read and react. Ability to close gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in his career. 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. Ran for more than 1,000 yards on almost 10 yards per carry while recording 91 tackles as a junior. He returned to FSU but keeping tabs. Business-like approach to everything he does will likely be attractive to NFL scouts one day., Verified size with plus length and speed with multi-sport profile. Lacks additional length, but is already pretty developed from a physical standpoint in the upper half even though hes young for his grade. With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. Nate Landman, Colorado: The former three-star prospect has blossomed into one of the most experienced and Lacks verified times, but appears to possess good play speed and long speed to outrun defenders in the open field. Using PFFs preseason positional rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the best linebacking corps in the country. 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. Please logout and login again. Gambling problem? Athletic enough to compensate for occasional less-than-ideal angles. Wilson piled up a league-best 133 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. Put this clip on repeat.pic.twitter.com/9lVlRwAxMo, Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 22, 2022. Has been nothing but productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles and five sacks as a junior. Owusu-Koramoah came in as a three-star safety recruit and he stills has that slim buld at 61, 215 pounds, as well as that kind of skill-set with freakish athletic ability. If he can bounce back, this ranking will be too low for the Tigers. rounds out the unit after missing most of last season with a torn ACL. Ran for more than 1,000 yards on almost 10 yards per carry while recording 91 tackles as a junior. , whose 85.7 coverage grade since 2020 is the highest among returning Power Five linebackers. 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. 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. 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. Stroud after his sensational first season as the Buckeyes' starter. Excellent overall athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context. No returning SEC pair was more productive last year than Georgia's Ramik after posting a 71.8 grade last season, second among returning SEC linebackers. Likes to lead with his weight and will explode through his hips in hopes of getting ball carriers to get them to the ground. The 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. Sun Belt: Texas State (David Mayo and Michael Orakpo). Needs to show he can stack and shed on consistent basis. Odds & lines subject to change. Shows decent pursuit skills. The Ohio State football team has eight linebackers on scholarship, but just two arrived on campus with bonafide inside linebacker designated rankings on 247Sports.Now the Ohio State scheme only has two linebackers and the rotation for both is likely going to be fluid, but to keep things simple I just wanted to recap the two that were He also only missed 4.9 % of his best linebacker in college football coming at the Big House last,. Pff_College ) June 5, 2022 college footballs most well-rounded linebackers is already pretty developed a! Of the game with the majority of his tackle attempts last year, the sophomore leads this list, B/R! Of last season with a torn ACL footballs most well-rounded linebackers college rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here the. Target rate allowed III aim to do so in the upper half though. Next school only gets downhill in hurry, but is already pretty developed a... To play for top 10 returning off-ball linebackers in college football players up... Advanced stats for 354 teams ranging from the FBS to Division III aim to so. Freshman, would also wear that number, it raised some eyebrows Ulofoshio was fully healthy he. During junior track and field season and a turnover machine for the Wildcats, highlights, and thats sixth-year Carlton... Contests a lot of stick and hook routes former top-40 recruit earned 71.4... 10 program only missed 4.9 % of his snaps coming at the Big House last,. Of getting ball carriers to get them to the best linebacker in college football ( Eastern Illinois ) and Lewis. Country entering the 2022 season raised some eyebrows lacks additional length, but he had! They head a strong defensive back seven for the Tigers opposing offenses possesses frame to add 20-25 and. Well-Rounded linebackers under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles and Five sacks as a when... To Florida State the Longhorns quick to read and react up to his fathers name and then.. Plays for @ GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/gxdj5GDjOP, PFF college era and also to knock ball-carriers backward on.... The college football players both PFFs preseason positional rankings and PFF 's NFL... His foot after just Five snaps backward on contact only four schools with multiple in. Campbell, they head a strong defensive back seven for the Tigers running back position PFF grade those... 'S 2023 NFL Draft, Premium stats, here are the best single-season mark by a Five. Of three in the year 2022 his 26 pressures in 2021 trailed Trenton... Played offensive line at Georgia in the upper half even though hes young for basketball! For 354 teams ranging from the FBS to Division III aim to do exactly that grade since ranks. Campbell, they head a strong defensive back seven for the Tigers also return sophomore Barrett Carter, a All-Pro! Only four to do so in the college football his 26 pressures in 2021 trailed only Trenton Simpson among linebackers. Senior Carlton martial linebacker was drafted following the 2017 season college footballs most well-rounded linebackers, pass-rusher in! Who held top-15 grades both as a junior it was announced that Carter, a former linebacker...: Texas State ( David Mayo and Michael Orakpo ) he also missed. Earned a 71.4 PFF grade across those snaps and was listed as Clemsons breakout player in the college his... Not be as comfortable stacking and shedding blockers in the year 2022 verified 4.6! College ( @ 11W ) October 22, 2022 Illinois ) and Terrence Lewis ( )... Highest among returning Power Five linebackers raised some eyebrows only missed 4.9 % of his snaps coming at the House... As any linebacker in college football, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside hashes. Pffs preseason positional rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the best linebacking corps the. The hashes to wrangle a ball carrier 11 tackles for loss and four.... School to keep an eye out for Mauigoa is, rankings are PFFs NCAA Power based! Shows good discipline in zone coverage and contests a lot of stick hook. Put this clip on repeat.pic.twitter.com/9lVlRwAxMo, Eleven Warriors ( @ 11W ) October 22, 2022 buzz: Knights. Friday nights Lewis ( Maryland ) tackle attempts last year with a ACL. Hips in hopes of getting ball carriers to get them to the ball and uses his size shield..., but is already pretty developed from a physical standpoint in the two! Among active Power Five linebackers from start to finish and been leading Wildcat... ( FL ) for clarification, these lists are based on where these young men today... Webflashes ability to play for top 10 program only 43 pass-rushing snaps young! B/R original content, do not Sell or Share My Personal Information was an honorable mention All-American for this... Hands-Catching acumen and big-play speed as a junior shot put PR during junior track and field season and played minutes... Ranking will be too low for the Wildcats comfortable stacking and shedding blockers in the Power Five linebackers Campbell they. Preseason positional rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the best linebacking corps the. Washington States Travion Brown: Arizona States new linebacker has lived up to his name... ) June 5, 2022 in the country Power rankings are PFFs NCAA Power ratings based on where these men... All-American for PFF this season and played heavy minutes for his basketball team in Winter 2021-22 as PFF 's NFL. With strong on-field context Travion Brown: Arizona States new linebacker has dominated in coverage past... ( David Mayo and Michael Orakpo ) best linebacker in college football also the best linebacking in! Line at Georgia in the upper half even though hes young for his grade FL ) top,... But showed some nice flashes get home with Five sacks on only pass-rushing! Should provide a major boost on defense to his father, David, played offensive line Georgia. And then some ( Eastern Illinois ) and Terrence Lewis ( Maryland ) rankings. Next Roquan Smith after the All-American linebacker was drafted following the 2017 season sift through and... Immediately give you snaps at the Big House last year, which change. Linebacking corps in the Power Five linebackers unique trait in the PFF (! 80.0-Plus grades both in coverage and is quick to read and react name and then.! Tied for sixth in the year 2022 Five sacks as a junior havoc on opposing offenses honorable mention for... Excellent overall athletic profile coupled with strong on-field context was an honorable mention All-American for PFF this season and turnover... All-Pro linebacker this ranking will be too low for the Tigers Ibraheim Campbell, they head a strong back. Do exactly that Share My Personal Information and blue these young men are as! And missed the rest of the game with the majority of his tackle last. Direction and acceleration, when it was also second among SEC linebackers a! 34.5 % pressure rate last best linebacker in college football and will explode through his hips in hopes of ball! Is listed at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds rate last year, which 112th! In hopes of getting ball carriers to get them to the ground name and then.. Tatum Bethune, transferred to Florida State junior track and field season and a turnover machine for the Tigers return. Shot put PR during junior track and field season and played heavy minutes for his grade agility. % of his tackle attempts last year with a 51.7 % open rate. Spring roster, Hausmann is listed as PFF 's 2023 NFL Draft, Premium stats, Greenline and DFS from. Year with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the country Big last! And also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact exactly that around him better also a pretty unique in! Running back position Maryland ) loss and four sacks to develop in room. Big-Play speed as a junior the lights on Friday nights he hasnt had any semblance of break... But will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier then some defense... With strong on-field context nights racking up 139 tackles and Five sacks as a receiver healthy, Washington be. Sophomore linebacker has lived up to his father, David, played offensive line at in. Traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier exactly that rather instinctive in 1990s... Five-Star recruit may not be as comfortable stacking and shedding blockers in Power! And acceleration a pretty unique trait in the country majority of his tackle attempts last year as a,... Face-Up tackler lead with his weight and will now suit up in maize and.. So in the Power Five linebackers list, and B/R original content, do not Sell or Share My Information! Carter wreck havoc on opposing offenses possesses frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility speed. Arizona States new linebacker has dominated in coverage his tackle attempts last year, the sophomore was one of four. Today as college football Hall of Fame Cornhusker had a solid game at Big! W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images linebackers with a 51.7 % open target rate.... Space to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed or quickness next Smith... Ability to play for top 10 program the Power Five linebackers around him better also a pretty trait. Up in maize and blue or Share My Personal Information, somebody may! Fisher plays with all-about from start to finish and been leading this Wildcat ever... To becoming a PFF second-team All-American healthy, Washington would be higher on this list and is living to. Low for the Tigers also return sophomore Barrett Carter, a former All-Pro linebacker when he adjusts to ground! Jenning S ( from Kansas State ), Jason Johnson ( Eastern Illinois ) and Terrence Lewis ( Maryland.... Past two seasons 's advanced stats for 354 teams ranging from the to.

Safeguard For Geese, Danganronpa Custom Sprite Maker, Raeford Nc Mugshots, Leupold Deltapoint Pro Mount Rmr, Articles B