Learn Dane Brugler’s earlier summer time scouting stories: Quarterbacks | Working backs | Extensive receivers | Tight ends | Offensive tackles | Inside O-linemen | Edge rushers | Defensive tackles
A lot is requested of the modern-day linebacker. Ideally, NFL groups need high athletes who can cowl, blitz and keep on the sector on any down whereas additionally possessing the smash-mouth perspective harking back to Junior Seau. These sorts are onerous to search out.
The upcoming linebacker class doesn’t have a prospect who completely matches that mildew, however there are a number of up-and-coming LBs with intriguing traits. Final 12 months, just one off-ball linebacker was drafted within the first two rounds — and that wasn’t till choose No. 45 (Edgerrin Cooper). Nonetheless, there ought to be a couple of linebackers within the top-40 combine for the 2025 NFL Draft.
(Notes: An asterisk represents a draft-eligible underclassman. Heights and weights are what NFL groups have on file for every participant, with “v” representing verified measurements and “e” for estimates.)
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What he does greatest: Explosive closing velocity
It doesn’t take an skilled evaluator to identify the quickest participant on the sector — and infrequently occasions throughout LSU video games, that participant is Perkins (I gained’t be shocked if he runs a 4.3 40-yard sprint on the mix). He has excellent lateral vary due to his explosive velocity, and he closes in a heartbeat, which permits him to line up everywhere in the protection.
These two performs from the 2023 Ole Miss tape bounce out because of the explosive manner he pursues and finishes. Perkins is simply shifting in a different way than everybody else on the display.
Should enhance: Enjoying off blocks
Perkins flashes violence in his arms and burst in his ft to provide blockers the slip, however he additionally runs into too many blocks that he can’t escape. Although he flashes pursuit instincts, his lack of excellent size and pop result in him getting swallowed up and obstructing his imaginative and prescient to the soccer. Perkins can chase the ball all day, however NFL scouts need to see him enhance a number of the nuanced features of the place versus each run and go.
2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
A local of Louisiana, Perkins and his household relocated to Texas due to Hurricane Katrina, and Perkins blossomed into one of many high highschool recruits within the 2022 class. After initially committing to Texas A&M, he flipped to LSU on signing day, changing into the primary five-star recruit for Brian Kelly at LSU. Perkins was one of many vibrant spots on LSU’s subpar protection the final two seasons, incomes second group All-SEC honors as each a freshman and sophomore.
Perkins is likely one of the greatest athletes in school soccer, and the precedence for brand spanking new LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker is maximizing that immense expertise. Final 12 months, Perkins break up his snaps pretty evenly between defensive position (271), field (244) and out huge as a nickel/slot participant (255). How will Baker deploy his star in 2024?
Perkins is not going to be a full-time edge within the NFL — he doesn’t have the body or practical energy. However along with his athleticism and vitality, he has the traits to be a flexible off-ball linebacker who’s a dynamic blitzer, run-and-chase run defender and rangy cowl man. As one of many high athletes within the draft class, Perkins tasks as a first-rounder, though his position and utilization this season may decide simply how excessive he goes.
2. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma (6-3 1/2v, 240v)
What he does greatest: Begins and finishes collisions
A non-negotiable trait for a linebacker? Fearlessness. And there are not any questions on Stutsman’s willingness to assault downhill and hammer blocks or the ball service. A superb-sized athlete, he works effectively laterally to make performs outdoors in house but in addition fills rapidly and highly effective, particularly as an A-gap blitzer. Although he might use a bit extra persistence when flowing, Stutsman doesn’t miss many tackles and oozes toughness.
On this third-and-1 play towards Cincinnati, Stutsman rapidly reads, creates the collision and finishes the deal with to pressure the punt.
Should enhance: Protection consistency
Stutsman has sufficient athleticism to match up with tight ends and the vary to search out passing lanes (see his choose six on the Tulsa tape). However NFL scouts need to see him enhance his anticipation and breaks as a zone dropper. The Texas and TCU tapes from final season had been examples of how he must get higher as a protection participant.
2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
Regardless of connections to Baylor (his father performed soccer and his mom performed basketball for the Bears), Stutsman dedicated to Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma out of highschool. As a sophomore, he grew to become a starter underneath new head coach Brent Venables and battled via ups and downs to guide the Massive 12 in tackles (125). As a junior final season, Stutsman reached All-America standing and was prepared to leap to the NFL Draft earlier than a change of coronary heart led him again to Norman.
Stutsman is fast (too fast at occasions) to key, learn and fill, and he solely is aware of the way to play a method — which NFL coaches will respect. With some enhancements in protection and one other productive season at Oklahoma, Stutsman has the expertise to ascertain himself as a top-40 choose.
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3. Lander Barton, Utah (6-3 1/8v, 233v)*
What he does greatest: Do-everything abilities
Barton was born right into a soccer household, however he may need probably the most spectacular ability set of the group. A superb-sized athlete, he’s quick and bodily downhill to drive on the soccer, however he can also make abrupt course modifications to chase the soccer. Barton appears to be like easy in his protection drops to show and run with tight ends, backs and even slot receivers.
Should enhance: Return wholesome
Barton flashed instantly as a freshman in 2022 and took one other bounce in his growth final season as the sport slowed down for him. However he additionally had his share of missteps, then suffered a proper foot harm in October that sidelined him for the rest of the 2023 season. Barton has a ton of expertise, and NFL scouts simply need to see him put collectively an entire season in Yr 3 for the Utes.
2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
One of many high highschool linebacker recruits three years in the past, Barton had his selection of the place to play his school ball. Michigan, Notre Dame and Stanford made sturdy pitches. So did LSU, Oregon, Texas and others. However Barton is a legacy at Utah, and there was little shock when he determined to remain near house. Each of his dad and mom had been multi-sport athletes for the Utes, and all three of his older siblings performed on Utah groups.
Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has an excellent really feel for permitting his greatest gamers to shine, and Barton was an excellent instance of that final season. Together with his dimension, athleticism and versatile ability set, Barton has a variety of what NFL groups are on the lookout for on the place. Each of his older brothers had been drafted in 2019 (Cody was a third-rounder; Jackson a seventh-rounder), however Lander has an opportunity to earn high billing in his household.
4. Jalon Walker, Georgia (6-2e, 245e)*
What he does greatest: Rush the passer
Although Walker wasn’t a full-time participant final season, I wrote down his title quite a few occasions in my notes as a “participant to observe” for the long run. He has an NFL body with an interesting mixture of velocity and physicality. Walker performed varied roles within the Bulldogs’ scheme, however he stood out probably the most when the coaches let him free to hurry the quarterback — his 26 pressures final season tied with Mykel Williams for the group lead.
On this play from the SEC Championship Recreation final season, Walker will get the most effective of JC Latham. These athletic, high-motor flashes are why evaluators are excited for his growth.
Should enhance: Expanded position
If you happen to’re unfamiliar with Walker’s sport, it’s definitely comprehensible — he has but to start out a sport on the school stage and averaged simply 17.4 defensive snaps per sport final season as a reserve position participant. His flashes stand out, however how will he deal with a full-time snap load? He’s clearly probably the most comfy speeding the quarterback, however his growth dropping in house and taking up blocks shall be essential.
2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
A former five-star recruit, Walker was one of many highest-ranked defensive gamers within the 2022 recruiting class. And in his restricted motion on the sector in Athens, it’s been simple to see why. Although this rating may really feel untimely due to his inexperience, Walker impressed when given his possibilities final season and is poised for a breakout 2024 season, his third in this system.
How precisely will Georgia use Walker this season? He has been seeing most of his follow reps at inside linebacker, however the employees envisions him as a hybrid participant who will do some little bit of all the pieces as they appear to maximise his athletic software field. He has a distinct ability set than Quay Walker and Nolan Smith however may be someplace in the course of these two former first-round Georgia linebackers. Regardless, search for Walker to be an NFL Draft “riser” all through this season.
5. Barrett Carter, Clemson (5-11 7/8v, 234v)
What he does greatest: Key-and-drive abilities
A twitchy athlete, Carter has true sideline-to-sideline vary, and his means to set off and showcase his velocity jumps off the display. He’s fast to key and assault from varied depths, and his 4.4 velocity permits him to shut on performs earlier than they will develop.
Not solely does Carter immediately learn this tunnel display towards Miami, he has the velocity to drive and arrive with the go for the deal with for loss. During the last two seasons, Carter has a mixed 20.0 tackles for loss.
Should enhance: Missed tackles
No matter which tape of Carter’s from final season you watch, it is possible for you to to identify a missed deal with. Bodily working backs like Audric Estime and Omarion Hampton had been capable of energy via his grasp, and even South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler gave him the slip. Although he’s a smaller linebacker, Carter has first rate arm size (32 3/4 inches), however his ending energy is the principle concern about his sport, particularly if he doesn’t have a couple of steps of momentum to create pressure at contact.
2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
Georgia is a hotbed for soccer expertise, which is a key cause why the Bulldogs are a perennial nationwide title contender. Within the 2021 recruiting class, Kirby Good signed 4 of the top-five recruits within the state. The one who bought away? Carter, who dedicated to Clemson and was the prize of Dabo Swinney’s 2021 class. He grew to become a full-time starter as a sophomore and shocked many when he bypassed a possible top-100 spot within the 2024 NFL Draft for yet one more season at Clemson.
The attraction with Carter is obvious: He’s a hyper-athletic pursuit defender with above-average velocity and the play character desired for the place. If he cuts down on the missed tackles and makes extra performs in protection as a senior this season, Carter can cement top-50 standing.
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What he does greatest: Pace to keep away from climbing blocks
With Martin’s elite play velocity, it’s not possible to observe Oklahoma State’s protection and never discover No. 4 zooming across the area and chasing performs down. His lack of dimension additionally stands out, however I used to be impressed along with his knack for eluding blockers and preserving himself free.
Martin closes in a blink to beat blockers to the entry level, and he additionally has the agility to easily keep away from climbing blocks. On this clip, Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe (third-round choose of the Dallas Cowboys) is unable to chop Martin off from making a cease.
Should enhance: Protection anticipation
Martin did have a pair of interceptions final season and confirmed off his velocity to shut on each of these performs. However there have been too many occasions on tape by which he was a step late to react when dropping. Although he does have these two picks, Martin has but to register a go breakup in his three years in Stillwater, which displays his inconsistency anticipating passing lanes.
2024 season/2025 NFL Draft outlook
A four-star recruit out of highschool, Martin redshirted at Oklahoma State in 2021 and performed totally on particular groups in 2022. He grew to become a starter final season as a redshirt sophomore and loved a breakout season with 140 tackles — probably the most in a single-season by an Oklahoma State participant in virtually 40 years. Not solely does the tape match the manufacturing, however Martin additionally was voted a group captain, and the coaches communicate extremely to NFL scouts of his follow mentality.
For these summer time previews, I normally solely write about my high 5 prospect at every place, however I actually loved learning Martin’s movie and didn’t need to depart him off this record. And I gained’t be shocked if he finishes in my high 5 by draft weekend. Although the scale shall be a flip off for NFL groups, Martin’s play velocity and urge for food for contact will convert any doubters.
Preseason high 30 senior inside defensive linemen
(Be aware: Heights and weights for senior prospects listed beneath are NFL verified.)
1. Stutsman2. Carter3. Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky (6-0 1/2, 252)4. Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State (6-1 1/2, 234)5. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia (6-2 1/2, 225)6. Karene Reid, Utah (5-11 5/8, 228)7. Energy Echols, North Carolina (5-11 3/8, 231)8. Mohamed Toure, Rutgers (6-1, 233)9. Ben Bywater, BYU (6-2 5/8, 232)10. Khari Coleman, Ole Miss (6-1 1/4, 213)11. Ok.C. Ossai, Louisiana (6-1 1/8, 244)12. Tyreem Powell, Rutgers (6-5, 240)13. DJ Lundy, Florida State (6-0, 237)14. Jacob Mangum-Farrar, Indiana (6-3 7/8, 252)15. Aaron Smith, South Carolina State (6-0, 3/4, 226)16. Deshawn Tempo, UCF (6-1 1/8, 251)17. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon (6-1 1/8, 230)18. David Reese, California (6-1 1/4, 238)19. Cody Simon, Ohio State (6-1 7/8, 232)20. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina (6-1 5/8, 248)21. Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA (6-2 7/8, 255)22. Jalen McLeod, Auburn (6-1 5/8, 234)23. Sam Brumfield, Virginia Tech (5-10 1/8, 224)24. D’Eryk Jackson, Kentucky (6-1 3/8, 240)25. Teddye Buchanan, California (6-2, 235)26. JT Killen, Japanese Michigan (6-1 3/4, 224)27. Kain Medrano, UCLA (6-3, 206)28. Branson Combs, Wake Forest (6-2 3/4, 221)29. Jestin Jacobs, Oregon (6-3 1/2, 238)30. Jack Kiser, Notre Dame (6-1 1/8, 234)
Georgia’s Smael Mondon Jr. has a mixed 13.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks the previous two seasons. (Dale Zanine / USA At present)
Preseason high 10 draft-eligible underclassmen
(Be aware: All measurements for underclassman prospects listed beneath are estimates.)
1. Perkins2. Barton3. Walker4. Martin5. Sonny Types, Ohio State (6-4, 240)6. Deontae Lawson, Alabama (6-2, 230)7. Keli Lawson, Virginia Tech (6-4, 220)8. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan (6-3, 250)9. Kobe King, Penn State (6-1, 240)10. Dasan McCullough, Oklahoma (6-5, 225)
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; high picture of Harold Perkins Jr.: Scott Winter / Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs)
