pic.twitter.com/9w22mjeZpI, PFF College (@PFF_College) May 15, 2022. 1 offensive tackle in the nation, according to On3s consensus ratings. 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. If he can stay healthy and live up to it, Oregon could easily top this list. Isaiah Simmons Highlights (BEST LINEBACKER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL) clemson lb highlights isaiah simmons. Closes well on ball carriers. , whose 78.5 grade since 2019 ranks fifth among ACC linebackers. 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. 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. in 2020, he earned a 90.2 coverage grade, which was first among Power Five linebackers. 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. Durable and reliable. Has great play speed. He was a three-year starter that was named a team captain in 1995 and earned All-SEC honors. Justin Flowe has as much talent as any linebacker in college football, but he hasnt had any semblance of a break with injuries. Iowa ranks first, thanks to three linebackers making PFFs top 25 list. Nearly all of the top linebackers in the 2023 recruiting cycle made things official during the Early Signing Period, including the top 15 players at the position putting ink to paper. So, when it was announced that Carter, a true freshman, would also wear that number, it raised some eyebrows. Your login session has expired. Plays with leverage and bends well in lower body. Highly productive considering full-time two-way snaps. 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. The three best linebacker transfer classes. A meniscus injury ended his freshman campaign after just five snaps. The other three. Rather instinctive in the box as a run defender and is quick to read and react. 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. Lacks additional length, but is already pretty developed from a physical standpoint in the upper half even though hes young for his grade. 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. Rather effective in pursuit and has also shown that he can get the job done as a face-up tackler. Ernest Hausmann, who transferred to Michigan after one season at Nebraska, was named to On3s recent top-10 Linebackers of 2023 list. 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 West Virginia defense was a top unit in all of college football but they lost one of their top defenders in Tony Fields. The Basic Blues Podcast (@BasicBluesPod) February 8, 2023. Lacks verified times, but appears to possess good play speed and long speed to outrun defenders in the open field. These power rankings are adjusted based on coach, quarterback and the market each season. Excellent in chase mode as he can get outside the hashes and hawk down ball carriers of all different sizes. Gambling problem? Shows speed to chase play down on back side. Buy Sooners Tickets. Displays impressive linear acceleration with burst and open-field playmaking ability of a Power Five skill prospect. Hes a menace as a blitzer, with his 30.6% pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers. Trotter played only 58 snaps last year as a true freshman but showed some nice flashes. 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. Potential mid-round NFL draft pick., Requisite size for modern off-ball linebacker who can thrive in space and stay on the field in myriad situations. Not only gets downhill in hurry, but will quickly sift through traffic and get outside the hashes to wrangle a ball carrier. Despite playing just two games, hes still a top-75 prospect on PFFs 2023 NFL Draft big board, which says a lot about his potential. Last time an SEC linebacker duo was selected in the same draft:LSU, Florida and Georgia all had multiple linebackers chosen in the 2013 draft. 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. Iowa Hawkeyes. Best suited to play inside linebacker but possesses some traits to play outside. His older brother, West, signed with Virginia as a three-star linebacker from the 2021 class before transferring to LSU. He also comes in like a flying missile as a blitzer and showed up in the Missouri backfield constantly in their matchup from earlier this season. 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. Who in the NFL, past or present, would you compare Noah Sewells game to? Ability to close gaps without a doubt a strength at this point in his career. Owns a rocked-up build at 6-foot, 205 pounds. Multi-sport athlete who excels on the baseball diamond also. Today it is the best pair of linebackers. Comfortable in zone coverage and is quick to anticipate throws. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. , who looked solid as a reserve in 2021 with a 75.0 grade on 150 snaps. The juniors four interceptions led all FBS linebackers, and he tied for second in the Power Five with two fumble recoveries. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Has to continue to work on on technique, including when turning and running laterally. Perkins is. Ulofoshio has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury. All hes done since then is earn a 94.9 career grade, best among FBS linebackers over the past five years. after a disappointing first season in Baton Rouge. Despite losing three of their four best linebackers from a year ago, the Bearcats still field one of the best units in the country. His 17 tackles for loss/no gain were fifth in that same group as well. 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. Here are the top 10 linebackers returning to college football next season. The other three, Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean and Channing Tindall, all were taken within the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. Ulofoshio has missed 10 games over the past three years and will miss at least half of the 2022 season with a knee injury. Working on anchoring against run important. Nate Landman, Colorado: The former three-star prospect has blossomed into one of the most experienced and Here are the top five linebackers in college football, a group of future NFL Draft prospects. Instinctual and plays at high rate of speed. Seasoned blitzer that can get home with his elite burst on Friday nights. The top 10 linebacker corps in college football ahead of the 2022 season 1. Desire to make those around him better also a pretty unique trait in the year 2022. **More **. AAC: Houston (Derrick Mathews and Efrem Oliphant). 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. That dropped to 55.3 last year, which ranked 112th in the Power Five. Simpson was right up there with those two Theres one man to credit for Troy cracking this list, and thats sixth-year senior Carlton Martial. Strong tackler in space. . Diagnosis whats going on in front of him better than most his age. The buzz: The Knights best linebacker, Tatum Bethune, transferred to Florida State. 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 Has athleticism and speed to drop into coverage in flat or take running back one-on-one. Unlike a lot of college LBs nowadays, he can still take on and shed blockers coming right at him, thanks to his robust base. Has been nothing but productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles and five sacks as a junior. 11 is reserved for the elite linebackers at Penn State, as Parsons, NaVorro Bowman and LaVar Arrington all rocked the stix.. Excellent in chase mode as he can get outside the hashes and hawk down ball carriers of all different sizes. Hes a menace as a blitzer, with his 30.6% pass-rush win rate last year leading all FBS linebackers. 11 in PFFs preseason ranking. Jeremiah Trotter Jr with a pick6 off Spencer Rattler???? Daniel Jeremiah provides his initial scouting report, supplying a striking NFL comparison in the process. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Hes actually on track for slightly better numbers this season. Might need a developmental year or two, but has the makeup of a future impact off-ball linebacker for a Power Five program. Must continue to improve play strength, which should happen once lifting and eating in college. 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. 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. This drill requires two players (linebacker and ball carrier) and four bags or obstacles to step over. Heres a look at the top linebackers in the transfer portal at this time. He is really sudden in his movements when the ball gets to the edge and he quickly flashes against screen passes. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. 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). Defensive Captains with signal-calling experience are highly desirable for inside linebackers. He led the nation with 140 tackles in 2021, and hes the Samson Ebukam was the San Francisco 49ers' Please note that NFL projection is not taken into account here. Willing to fight through double teams. 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. The son of former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Sr., the sophomore linebacker has lived up to his fathers name and then some. Multi-sport athlete who excels on the baseball diamond also. Northwestern: Chi Chi Ariguzo and Collin Ellis. 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 sophomore was one of three in the Power Five with 75-plus grades as a run-defender, pass-rusher and in coverage. Likes to lead with his weight and will explode through his hips in hopes of getting ball carriers to get them to the ground. Has to develop strength throughout frame, and particularly in upper body. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Likely to find plenty of success on Saturdays in an aggressive 3-4 front. EDGE Position Preview: Can Michigans pass rush remain dominant in 2023? 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. 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. Interception No. 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. Rice was called the next Roquan Smith after the All-American linebacker was drafted following the 2017 season. Using his rankings and PFF-exclusive stats, here are the 10 best linebacking corps in the country. He is one of those guys who shows up around the ball constantly and thats how he came up with a huge fumble return TD against Clemson earlier this season, as a pitch went off the hands of Travis Etienne. 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. Finished junior campaign with 150 tackles, five INTs, four sacks, and three defensive TDs. 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. Hes No. Needs to continue to develop upper body strength to handle physical nature of college game in the box. Athletic, physical, violent off-ball linebacker who occasionally steps to the line of scrimmage. 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.. 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. 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. The top 15 signees are attending 11 different schools. Does not quit on plays. Not long but owns frame space to add mass, though not too much more is needed as a modern in-space defender. 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. 4 on the season ???? 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 I think as a blitzer, his timing and hand-usage has gotten a lot better too. Georgia has also used him as a blitzer on passing down frequently, to create negative plays. Campbell is the epitome of an Iowa linebacker - hes rugged, instinctive and as sure a tackler as they come. Honorable mention goes out to Willie Lanier, Jim Lynch, Brian Bosworth, Cornelius Bennett, Derrick Brooks, Derrick Thomas, Maxie Baughan, Ray Lewis, George Mira, Jr., Batman Richard Wood, Judge Jeff Davis, Killer Steve Kiner, Jeff Siemon, Rick Redmon, Tim Rossovich, Frank Emanuel, Jerry Robinson, and Chris Spielman. @tyron_hopper one more year!#MIZ ???????? Aint No Discussion, You Know Im THE Real Deal. Vast pursuit range. Has been nothing but productive under the lights on Friday nights racking up 139 tackles and five sacks as a junior. Now hell be making plays for @GoBearcatsFB pic.twitter.com/gxdj5GDjOP, PFF College (@PFF_College) June 5, 2022. UGA allowed third-down conversions at a 40-percent clip. 1 offensive tackle in the nation, according to. Typically All Conference or minimum 1 Year Varsity Starter. This joker for the Notre Dame defense plays the ROVER spot primarily, where he can cover slot receivers one-on-one and shows no discomfort playing in space, plus he looks like a cannonball when coming on blitzes off the edge. 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. Flowe is the second-highest-rated recruit in Oregon history, behind only Kayvon Thibodeaux, but hasnt been able to fully show what hes capable of. Multi-year starter with possible early-impact ability for Top 20 program. Displays good short area explosiveness and change of direction ability, flashing some make you miss ability in the open field. The former top-40 recruit earned a 71.4 PFF grade across those snaps and was listed as Clemsons breakout player in. 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