Hell wear No. ESPN names three U-M assistants as coaches to watch in 2023. Not only can break 11 seconds on the track in the 100-meter dash, but has also almost hit 23 MPH on the Catapult GPS system in pads. Senior season displayed improved in-space competency as a big-bodied traditional off-ball 'backer who could likely stay there in the long term. 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. The linebacker will be the frame of reference when preparing the The redshirt senior was especially stingy in coverage, picking off two passes and breaking up a couple more. Theyre the 15 linebackers in the transfer portal you need to know. These power rankings are adjusted based on coach, quarterback and the market each season. 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. The junior was also second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open target rate allowed. His 34.5% pressure rate last year ranked second among Power Five linebackers. His short-area explosiveness to beat blockers to the spot and flat-out speed to run down plays all over the field really pops. Hes not quite there mentally, just being a step too late in his reactions at times, but hes the full package. There is big-time buzz about Ohio State's C.J. Curtis elected to go to the West Coast and sign with the Trojans. Excels on contact, exhibiting excellent play strength and power at the point of attack. Alabama's Bryce Young took the college football world by storm in 2021, but what are his prospects for the NFL? As the 2020 college football season winds down, 2021 NFL Draft talk will heat up. after posting a 71.8 grade last season, second among returning SEC linebackers. USC assembled one of the top recruiting classes in the Pac-12 under coach Lincoln Riley. Has plenty of room for frame growth and can easily add 25 pounds without losing athletic traits. among ACC linebackers. Uses quick hands well to stay off blocks. pic.twitter.com/igZKc1F8YQ, Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) January 10, 2023. 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. Has burst to get across the face of offensive tackle. Impact player in high school as linebacker/edge rusher and running back. looked strong in coverage last year with a 79.3 grade that ranked 11th in the Power Five. Athleticism shows when dropping into coverage. Athletic, physical, violent off-ball linebacker who occasionally steps to the line of scrimmage. 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. 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). 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. The Rebels even used him inside towards the end of the season. Lacks additional length, but is already pretty developed from a physical standpoint in the upper half even though hes young for his grade. As a true freshman, he led all Power-Five linebackers with a 91.0 pass-rushing grade. Ulofoshio has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury. Web8. One of the biggest risers from this 2020 season has been this 64, 260 pound-listed linebacker that is the heart of a Hurricanes 21st-ranked scoring defense. Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. On the spring roster, Hausmann is listed at 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds. Scouting report: Nichelson is among the most athletic linebackers in the region. Bethune-Cookman University has agreed in principle for Ed Reed to become the school's new head football coach, the university announced on Tuesday. So, what's the book on the Kentucky quarterback? If you cant make it to the game in person, the game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network. But PFF's advanced stats for 354 teams ranging from the FBS to Division III aim to do exactly that. Incredibly quick in shooting gaps. Top 15 Best Linebackers in College Football 1. Can re-direct and move along line of scrimmage. Neither is the most talented linebacker in the league, but as a duo, no returning SEC pair was more productive last year than this one. Hes PFFs No. And he is on that same track again this season. Defensive leader for state title-winning team as junior. ???????? Simpson has continued to excel under new DC Wes Goodwin, thanks to his athletic profile and the growth in play-recognition. When you want to engage with this guy in the run game, you better have guards who can climb up quickly to him, because he show in the backfield quickly and has a feel for sorting through the trash. 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. It was also the best single-season mark by a Power Five player in the PFF College era. 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. With more than 1,300 college football players in the transfer portal, it can be difficult to parse through all the talent. High-level athlete also plays receiver. Displays good athleticism in multiple phases of the game with the majority of his snaps coming at the running back position. The Cornhuskers don't have the massive list of drafted linebackers, and Trev Alberts is the only Butkus Award winner. Now back with him in the lineup, they have really grown this season. Plays fast and is physical, especially when tackling through a ball carrier. Comfortable in zone coverage and is quick to anticipate throws. Possesses frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, speed or quickness. The juniors four interceptions led all FBS linebackers, and he tied for second in the Power Five with two fumble recoveries. He returned to FSU but keeping tabs. 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. The No. Francisco Mauigoas 95-yard pick-six, @WSUCougarFBs second longest interception return in program history is this weeks #TUMSworthy moment.#Pac12FB | @TUMSOfficial pic.twitter.com/6J2R1zo64W, Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 30, 2022. Best suited to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside. 6-1 / 220. Durable and reliable. Noah Sewell at number one made it fairly easy for me. With two linebackers cracking the top five of this list, Clemson easily has the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season. 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. High upside athlete that can potentially provide value on either side of the ball and on multiple special teams units. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data. 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. Projects as a high level multi-year starter at a Power Five program.. MAC: Bowling Green (D.J. Jackson excels downhill, leading all Power Five defenders with 96 run-defense stops over the past three seasons. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. 16. @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/Fe6qSkJXWz, ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 25, 2022, The No. , all were taken within the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. Both Pace brothers are among, , the top two linebacker recruits in the 2020 class. Dumas-Johnson is the next great Georgia linebacker, following past Bulldog greats such as Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean. pic.twitter.com/b5jXmoItKO, Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) January 5, 2022. He was named Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year for good reason and has tremendous upside going forward. Just missed the cut: Cameron McGrone (Michigan), Nick Bolton (Missouri), Jabril Cox (LSU), Chazz Surratt (North Carolina) & Nate Landman (Colorado). 3, and ahead of Penn States Curtis Jacobs at No. Played soccer growing up before concentrating on football in high school. Both Pace brothers are among PFFs top 25 linebackers for the 2022 season. Since 2019, the former walk-on has earned 80.0-plus coverage, run-defense and pass-rush grades, the only returning Power Five linebacker to accomplish that feat. While at. MWC: Utah State (Kyler Fackrell and Zach Vigil). The other three. 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. 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. WebNakobe Dean is the winner of the 2021 Butkus Award, given to the best Linebacker in college football. Washington States Francisco Mauigoa: The true sophomore is the top linebacker in the portal. Huff, an Both are experienced seniors -- and experienced playmakers. Has gotten better and better at shedding blocks over the years and isnt afraid to put his facemask on someone before crashing a gap. 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 For clarification, these lists are based on where these young men are today as college football players. Vast pursuit range. 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. His 34.5% pressure rate last year ranked second among Power Five linebackers. Not only gets downhill in hurry, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier. Hes also been the most valuable linebacker in the country in that span, per PFFs wins above average metric. However, hes more than willing to shoot through one half of the blockers and funnel the ball back inside on perimeter-oriented runs, or just hit a crease and create negative plays when the opportunity arises. The son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr., the sophomore linebacker has lived up to his fathers name and then some. The true freshman is second on this list after a dominant season as a pass-rusher. UGA allowed third-down conversions at a 40-percent clip. Desire to make those around him better also a pretty unique trait in the year 2022. and is arguably the best linebacker in the country on passing downs. Headlining Oregons unit is Justin Flowe and Noah Sewell, the top two linebacker recruits in the 2020 class. He had three interceptions last season and returned two for touchdowns. 6 overall), Kevin Minter (Cardinals, second round, No. 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. Jack Campbell's 45 run stops last season was tied for the most by a P5 LB ???? In the pass game, he has a safety-like skill-set, with a very natural ability to move any direction and take away throwing windows. Has great play speed. So, what's the book on the quarterback heading into the 2022 college football season? More than capable of making a difference outside of the hashes given his initial burst and will exert plenty of energy over the course of four quarters. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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. Shows speed to chase play down on back side. Chris Requisite height with good length and a big frame to add mass. 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. Ford was an honorable mention All-American for PFF this season and a turnover machine for the Longhorns. The redshirt junior is a dominant run-stuffer, as his 49 run-defense stops in 2022 ranked second among all linebackers in the country while his 20 tackles for loss/no-gain were tied for third. Just missed the cut: Cameron McGrone (Michigan), Nick Bolton Now hell be making plays for @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/gxdj5GDjOP, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 5, 2022. Florida produced Jon Bostic (Bears, second round) and Jelani Jenkins (Dolphins, fourth round), while Georgia had Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree both go in the first round to Pittsburgh and St. Louis, respectively. 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. He may not be super rangy in coverage. He also only missed 4.9% of his tackle attempts last year, the fifth-lowest rate among Power Five linebackers. Georgia 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. Multi-sport athlete who excels on the baseball diamond also. One of my Top-???? Please logout and login again. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. This is the fifth in a series looking at the best positional tandems in college football in each conference, taking into account both college production and pro potential. The other three, Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean and Channing Tindall, all were taken within the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. 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. Carter is one of college footballs most well-rounded linebackers. @WSUCougarFB Travion Brown #GoCougs | #CougarSportsAwards pic.twitter.com/ciEARYpBjb, Washington State Athletics (@WSUCougars) May 1, 2020. Georgia: Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera. He flashes good instincts in coverage, but at this point its what he can bring as a pressure player on passing downs, with legit speed and the ability to bend around the edge. Iowa ranks first, thanks to three linebackers making PFFs top 25 list. Fluid in change of direction to drives on ball. Lacks additional length, but is already pretty developed from a physical standpoint in the upper half even though hes young for his grade. N.C. State has the ACCs highest-graded linebacker over the past two years in Drake Thomas at an 80.0 mark. Since 2019, the former walk-on has earned 80.0-plus coverage, run-defense and pass-rush grades, the only returning Power Five linebacker to accomplish that feat. 8 linebacker in college football for the 2022 season. 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. All hes done since then is earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past five years. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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. Unfortunately he is overshoots his run fits at times, creating cutback opportunities, and while they bring him off the edge quite a bit, he doesnt bring a whole lot as a pass-rusher, while aiming at the wrong hip of the QB at times. Highest graded Pac-12 Linebackers since 2019, 1 Devin Lloyd: 90.92 Edefuan Ulofoshio: 90.3 pic.twitter.com/CWUgdH16fH, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 17, 2022. 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. Rather instinctive in the box as a run defender and is quick to read and react. Our exclusive database, featuring the most in-depth collection of NCAA player performance data. 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. Shows speed to chase play down on back side. Unlock all tools and content including Player Grades, Fantasy, NFL Draft, Premium Stats, Greenline and DFS. He led the nation with 140 tackles in 2021, and hes the Season and played heavy minutes for his basketball team in Winter 2021-22 Campbell. Last year ranked second among Power Five player in high school, Hausmann is listed at 6-foot-2 and 228.! But is already pretty developed from a physical standpoint in the Power Five defenders 96! A 51.7 % open target rate allowed can be difficult to parse all! Frame to add 20-25 pounds and not lose agility, best linebacker in college football or quickness, you to. And played heavy minutes for his grade a knee injury has continued excel! 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