2024 Linebacker Evaluations
A rather underrated batch of individuals
The linebacker position has gone through an incredibly aggressive evolution over the past 20 or so years. Gone are the days of 250lb downhill demons that want nothing more than to blow up a fullback en route to the halfback behind the line of scrimmage. Nowadays, the Roquan Smiths of the world run wild, serving as pseudo safeties that specialize in playing sideline to sideline and leaving the dirty trench work to the big guys up front. This has resulted in a steady devaluation of the position, which has caused linebackers to become an overlooked group during the pre-draft process.
This year is a prime example of this phenomenon, as this year’s batch of recruits has been written off by many as “mediocre”, which is simply not the case. This year’s linebacker class is stocked to the brim with exciting athletes that possess potential that they can, potentially, ride all the way to the moon. I had the privilege to evaluate fifteen of these athletes, so let’s go ahead and dive into my evaluations.
Junior Colson, Michigan
PROFILE
College: University of Michigan
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 238 lbs
Hand: 9 3/8”
Arm: 32 1/2”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: MIKE Linebacker
Age: 21 (12/6/02)
Year: Junior
Grade: Late 1st-Early 2nd Round (LB1)
Shades Of: Nick Bolton
Games I Watched: vs Ohio State (2023), vs Alabama (2023), vs Ohio State (2022)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad: N/A
STRENGTHS
Ideal frame for a MIKE
Above-average athlete for the position, able to play sideline-to-sideline
Possesses elite play strength
Physical, energetic player who takes pride in hitting ball carriers
Motor always running hot
Secure tackler with near-flawless technique
Possesses near-perfect eye discipline
Able to stand blockers up in the hole
Able to stack and shed blockers at a high level
Incredibly instinctive in both run defense and coverage
Quick to read and diagnose play action
Capable of reading and reacting to the eyes of the quarterback in zone coverage
Possesses above-average reactionary quickness in zone coverage
Can hang with most tight ends in man coverage thanks to physicality and discipline
WEAKNESSES
Lacks elite athletic traits
Flashes of incredible gap discipline, but they are inconsistent due to over-confidence in athletic ability
Willingness to trigger against zone rushing schemes needs to be improved
Tendency to take blockers on square rather than attacking shoulder, impact is minimized thanks to play strength
Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Clemson
PROFILE
College: University of Clemson
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 228 lbs
Hand: 9 1/4”
Arm: 31 1/2”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: Any Linebacker Spot (Leaning MIKE)
Age: 21 (12/24/02)
Year: Junior
Grade: Early 2nd Round (LB2)
Shades Of: Malcolm Rodriguez
Games I Watched: vs North Carolina (2023), vs Duke (2023), vs Tennessee (2022)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
3-Cone: 7.13 Seconds
Shuttle: 4.4 Seconds
Vertical: N/A
Broad: N/A
STRENGTHS
Football bloodlines: his father, Jeremiah Trotter Sr, was a 2x All-Pro and spent 12 years in the NFL
Above-average athlete for the position, able to play sideline-to-sideline
Capable of contorting his body to maneuver around blockers
High IQ player with a high understanding of blocking schemes, gap discipline, and how to set up blockers against the run
Play strength borders on elite
Physical player who likes to get dirty between the tackles
Brings the boom when coming downhill
Technically sound tackler with few lapses in his ability to wrap up
Sets a strong edge
Good at setting up teammates to make plays against the run by quickly filling lanes
Elite blitzer, capable of slipping and/or shedding blocks as a rusher
Possesses the instincts necessary to serve as a great coverage player at the position
Reads quarterbacks well in zone coverage
Possesses the ability to anticipate routes/throws and the quickness to react accordingly
WEAKNESSES
Lacks elite athletic traits
Hips are somewhat stiff
Lacks elite length
Over-eagerness against the run will result in getting fooled by play action more often than you would like to see
Over-eagerness against the run also creates issues in option games, as he triggers before he locates the ball
Will lunge at ball carriers from time to time, resulting in missed tackles
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
PROFILE
College: Texas A&M University
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 230 lbs
Hand: 9 3/4”
Arm: 34”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: Any Linebacker Spot (Heavily Leaning WILL)
Age: 22 (11/17/01)
Year: Senior
Grade: Mid R2 (LB3)
Shades Of: Ernest Jones IV
Games I Watched:
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: 4.51 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.56 Seconds
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 34 1/2”
Broad: 9’10”
STRENGTHS
Plus athlete
Twitched up short-area mover
High-level sideline-to-sideline mover
Possesses elite length
Borderline elite play strength mixed with an aggressive, physical play style
Motor is always running red hot
Flies downhill to pop ball carriers in the mouth
Eye and gap discipline stand out as the best aspects of his ability to defend the run
Excellent blitzer with noticeable bend to beat blockers around the corner
Gets off blocks quickly and efficiently
Weaponizes processor and play recognition in coverage
Fluid hips and ability to cut on a dime make him more than capable of covering both tight ends and running backs in man coverage
Sniffs out screens like a bloodhound
WEAKNESSES
Lighter frame can cause issues
Plays tall
Tackling and overall run diagnostics are promising, but still a work in progress
Tends to over-pursue angles between the tackles
Payton Wilson, NC State
PROFILE
College: North Carolina State University
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 233 lbs
Hand: 9”
Arm: 30 1/2”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: WILL Linebacker/EDGE/Nickel
Age: 23 (4/21/00)
Year: 6th Year Senior
Grade: Mid-Late R2 (LB4a)
Shades Of: Devin Lloyd
Games I Watched: vs Notre Dame (2023), vs Louisville (2023), vs Virginia (2023)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: 4.43 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.54 Seconds
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 34.5”
Broad: 9’11”
STRENGTHS
Near-perfect frame with room to put on weight/bulk up
Hyper-athletic linebacker, tested off the charts
Incredibly explosive mover
Hips are incredibly fluid
Glides when moving in space, capable of playing sideline-to-sideline at an elite level
Motor runs hot
Has a nose for the ball
Good understanding of spacing
Tackling consistency is improving
Nasty blitzer with a legitimate arsenal of moves
Does a good job not falling for play action
Reads the quarterback well in zone coverage
Versatile player who has lined up at linebacker, off the EDGE, as a nickel defender, etc.
WEAKNESSES
Lacks aggression as a run defender and tackler
Length is lacking
Plays upright
Play strength simply is not up to snuff
Struggles to take on/shed blocks as a run defender
Has a tendency to let ball carriers run through him when he wraps them up, allowing additional yards that should be preventable
Partially questioning whether or not he’s even a linebacker
Lengthy injury history
Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
PROFILE
College: Ohio State University
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 233 lbs
Hand: 9 1/4”
Arm: 31 5/8”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: MIKE Linebacker/SAM Linebacker/Special Teams
Age: 23 (1/11/01)
Year: Redshirt Senior
Grade: Mid-Late 2nd Round (LB4b)
Shades Of: Bart Scott
Games I Watched: vs Penn State (2023), vs Michigan (2023), vs Wisconsin (2022)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: 4.24 Seconds
Vertical: 32.5”
Broad: 9’8”
STRENGTHS
OG thumper mindset, wants to murder ball carriers
Warrior on the field who battles through injuries
Elite play strength
Solid athletic profile
Great communicator, often seen helping teammates line up correctly and pointing out different things pre-snap
Motor always running hot
Possesses a nose for the ball, very rarely ends up not being in position to contribute to a play
Consistent tackler with a low missed tackle rate
Can stop lead blockers in their tracks, stand them up, and use them to clog lanes
Able to stack and shed against fullbacks, tackles, and everything in between at a high level
Reads blocks well and diagnoses run plays at a lightning pace
Possesses the gap discipline to redirect ball carriers
All-around instinctive run defender
Above-average blitzer thanks to his physical demeanor and play strength
Physicality and athleticism allow him to hang with tight ends in man coverage
If all else fails, he has All-Pro upside on special teams
WEAKNESSES
Limited athlete who lacks elite tools
Arm length is subpar
Average sideline-to-sideline mover
A bit too reliant on upper-body strength
Stiff hips are apparent when in zone coverage
Lacks zone instincts
Potential durability concerns
Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
PROFILE
College: University of Kentucky
Height: 6’1’”
Weight: 237 lbs
Hand: 9 1/8”
Arm: 32 5/8”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: WILL Linebacker
Age: 21 (2/22/03)
Year: Junior
Grade: Mid 3rd Round (LB6)
Shades Of: Athletic Danny Trevathan
Games I Watched: vs Georgia (2023), vs Florida (2023), vs Northern Illinois (2022)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: 4.51 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.62 Seconds
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 37.5”
Broad: 10’7”
STRENGTHS
Quantifiably elite athletic tools in terms of explosiveness, lateral quickness, and straight-line speed
Hyper player who plays with an Energizer Bunny mentality
Arm length is above-average
Able to play sideline-to-sideline at a high level
Triggers quickly downhill against the run
Sure tackler that rarely misses or fails to wrap up ball carriers
Above-average run instincts
Takes good angles to the ball carrier in open space
Capable of covering tight ends and running backs thanks to change of direction, hip fluidity, and aggressive hand usage at the line of scrimmage
Above-average feel in coverage
Special teams upside thanks to athleticism and mentality
WEAKNESSES
Very impatient player
Overaggressive when coming downhill
Struggles against play action, often triggers too early
Struggles to recognize blocking schemes
Gets stuck on blocks often
Zone awareness is subpar
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
PROFILE
College: University of North Carolina
Height: 6’1.5”
Weight: 234 lbs
Hand: 9”
Arm: 32 1/2”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: WILL Linebacker/Special Teams
Age: 21 (10/30/02)
Year: Senior
Grade: Late R3
Shades Of: Jordan Hicks
Games I Watched: vs Clemson (2023), vs South Carolina (2023), vs Miami (2022)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: 4.64 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.59 Seconds
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 35.5”
Broad: 10’0”
STRENGTHS
Explosive mover that can go from east to west with ease
Above-average play strength
Great eye discipline and instincts against the run
Shoots downhill quickly and violently
Packs a punch at the point of attack
Has a good understanding of angles
Formidable blitzer who enjoys lighting up quarterbacks
Good spatial IQ
Can hold his own in man coverage, particularly against tight ends
Reads the eyes of quarterbacks well
WEAKNESSES
Tackling is a total work in progress, consistently leaves his feet and struggles to wrap up at times
Lacks elite athletic traits
Gets stuck on blocks
Footwork needs refinement
Struggles to recognize routes
Jaylan Ford, Texas
PROFILE
College: University of Texas at Austin
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 234 lbs
Hand: 9 1/2”
Arm: 31 3/4”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: SAM Linebacker/Special Teams
Age: 22 (11/28/01)
Year: Senior
Grade: Late 3rd-Early 4th Round
Shades Of: Alec Ogletree
Games I Watched: vs Alabama (2023), vs Kansas (2023), vs Oklahoma (2022)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 33.5”
Broad: 10’1”
STRENGTHS
Quality size for the position
Above-average play strength
Decent speed when shooting downhill
Hips are fluid
Possesses good spatial awareness
Maintains good pad level
Aggressive and smart gap shooter
Can effectively stack and shed blockers against the run
Absorbs blockers and sets a mean edge
Rarely falls for play action
Reads quarterbacks well in coverage
Does a great job of passing off routes in zone coverage
WEAKNESSES
Subpar athletic profile, has a tendency to run upright
Can be outrun when attempting to chase down ball carriers to the sideline
Improved as a tackler in 2023, but still has a tendency to hesitate and take poor angles in pursuit
Lacks a plan as a blitzer
Struggles covering running backs out of the backfield
James Williams, Miami
PROFILE
College: University of Miami
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 231 lbs
Hand: 9 1/2”
Arm: 33 5/8”
Position: Safety
Ideal NFL Position: WILL Linebacker/Safety/Special Teams
Age: 21 (2/15/03)
Year: Junior
Grade: Late 3rd-Early 4th Round (LB9)
Shades Of: Jayron Kearse
Games I Watched: vs Clemson (2023), vs Florida State (2023), vs Texas A&M (2023)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: 4.65 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.59 Seconds
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 30”
Broad: 9’9”
STRENGTHS
Elite size profile
Fast straight-line mover with fluid hips
Nasty demeanor, wants to kill ball carriers
Mechanically sound tackler
Possesses good angle awareness
Able to read the eyes of quarterbacks in coverage
Can hang with tight ends in man coverage
Solid understanding of routes and route concepts
If all else fails, will be an elite special teamer
WEAKNESSES
Lacks elite recovery speed
Reckless play style can get him into trouble
Run instincts are a work in progress
Struggles to consistently take on blocks, but showed flashes of brilliance
Tendency to get handsy in coverage
Lacks awareness in zone coverage
Michael Barrett, Michigan
PROFILE
College: University of Michigan
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 233 lbs
Hand: 8 1/2”
Arm: 32 1/8”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: SAM Linebacker/MIKE Linebacker/Special Teams
Age: 24 (12/21/99)
Year: 6th Year Senior
Grade: Mid 4th Round (LB10)
Shades Of: Jack Sanborn
Games I Watched: vs Alabama (2023), vs Washington (2023), vs Wisconsin (2020)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad: N/A
STRENGTHS
Solid athlete who moves well in space and possesses fluid hips
Instinctive run defender who loves slipping through the cracks between the tackles
Super physical run defender that isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty
Technically sound tackler
Eye discipline borders on perfection
Has an uncanny nose for the ball
Takes accurate angles to the ball carrier
Really good at setting the edge and keeping contain
High IQ coverage player who is most comfortable in zone
Will be a 10+ year special teams captain if all else fails
WEAKNESSES
Undersized for the position
Lacks ideal long speed
Struggles to stack and shed against bigger lineman
Will get swallowed up in the run game from time to time
Ty’Ron Hopper, Mizzou
PROFILE
College: University of Missouri
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 231 lbs
Hand: 8 7/8”
Arm: 31 3/8”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: MIKE Linebacker/Special Teams
Age: 22 (4/26/01)
Year: Redshirt Senior
Grade: Late 4th Round (LB11)
Shades Of: David Long Jr.
Games I Watched: vs Georgia (2023), vs LSU (2023), vs Tennessee (2023)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: N/A
10-Yard Split: N/A
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad: N/A
STRENGTHS
Solid athlete with above-average agility and twitch
“Fuck you” attitude toward ball carriers of all shapes and sizes paired with a physical, hard-hitting play style and a nose for the ball makes him a nightmare for offenses in the run game
Possesses enough speed to get downhill quickly and efficiently
Triggers downhill against the run in an instant
Possesses good gap discipline and a great understanding of angles
Energetic pass rusher who smells blood in the water
Can effectively cover in short areas of the field
WEAKNESSES
Field vision is lacking outside of the area between the tackles
Over-aggression against the run can get him into trouble, causing him to miss tackles from time to time
Pad level is high and inconsistent
Will get lost in coverage
Edefuan Olufoshio, Washington
PROFILE
College: University of Washington
Height: 6’0.5”
Weight: 236 lbs
Hand: 9 1/4”
Arm: 32 7/8”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: WILL Linebacker/Special Teams
Age: 24 (1/23/00)
Year: 6th Year Senior
Grade: Mid-Late 5th Round (LB12)
Shades Of: Jerome Baker
Games I Watched: vs Michigan (2023), vs USC (2023), vs Utah (2023)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: 4.56 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.59 Seconds
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 39.5”
Broad: 10’8”
STRENGTHS
Prototypical size and length for the position
Tough competitor
Great athletic profile
Good burst in short areas of the field
Able to stop ball carriers in their tracks between the tackles
Adequate tackling ability
Bendy and explosive blitzer
Can beat blockers around the edge with speed
Great at covering tight ends and running backs in man
Can quickly close gaps in zone coverage
Projects as a good special teamer
WEAKNESSES
Lacks play strength
Only one year of experience as a starter
Struggles to get off blocks
Still learning how to diagnose run plays
Has a tendency to overpursue gaps
Gap discipline isn’t there yet
Lacks natural instincts in coverage
Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
PROFILE
College: Mississippi State University
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 233 lbs
Hand: 9 7/8”
Arm: 32 7/8”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: MIKE Linebacker/Special Teams
Age: 23 (9/1/00)
Year: Redshirt Senior
Grade: Late 5th Round (LB13)
Shades Of: KJ Britt
Games I Watched: vs LSU (2023), vs Arizona (2023)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: 4.63 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.59 Seconds
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 31”
Broad: 9’3”
STRENGTHS
NFL bloodlines: Uncle Harold Morrow spent nine years as a fullback in the NFL for the Vikings, Ravens, and Cardinals
Good size and length for the position
Consistent tackler who hits hard with an old-school demeanor
Very instinctive run defender with great eye discipline
Quick to engage with blockers off the snap
WEAKNESSES
Limited range due to below-average athletic ability
Plays with stiff hips and a high pad level
Despite being quick to engage with blocks, he’s slow to disengage
Very limited coverage player due to his athletic profile and lack of instincts
Arrested for DUI in 2023
Tyrice Knight, UTEP
PROFILE
College: University of Texas at El Paso
Height: 6’0.5”
Weight: 233 lbs
Hand: 9 1/4”
Arm: 32 1/2”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: SAM Linebacker
Age: N/A
Year: Redshirt Senior
Grade: Late 6th-Early 7th Round (LB14)
Shades Of: Elandon Roberts
Games I Watched: vs Liberty (2023), vs FIU (2023)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: 4.63 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.54 Seconds
3-Cone: 7.25 Seconds
Shuttle: 4.4 Seconds
Vertical: 43.5”
Broad: 9’11”
STRENGTHS
Adequate open-field athlete
Explosive short-area athlete
Solid tackler with good technique
Instinctive against the run with great eye discipline
Quickly processes and slashes into gaps
Takes good angles to the ball
Instinctive coverage playmaker
WEAKNESSES
Subpar lateral mover
Lacks motor and drive on the field
Lean frame
Plays hesitant and lacks physicality
Will wrap ball carriers too low
Has to see the play develop before attacking
Curtis Jacobs, Penn State
PROFILE
College: Penn State University
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 241 lbs
Hand: 10 1/4”
Arm: 31 1/2”
Position: Linebacker
Ideal NFL Position: WILL Linebacker/Special Teams
Age: 22 (2/18/02)
Year: Senior
Grade: Mid 7th Round (LB15)
Shades Of: College Brian Asamoah
Games I Watched: vs Ohio State (2023), vs Maryland (2023), vs Iowa (2023)
COMBINE/PRO DAY TESTING
40-Yard Dash: 4.58 Seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.59 Seconds
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vertical: 35”
Broad: 10’4”
STRENGTHS
Explosive mover
Above-average play strength
Motor always running hot
Navigates traffic quickly and efficiently against the run
Possesses great eye discipline
Active hands both as a run defender and in man coverage
Smooth backpedal
WEAKNESSES
Below-average athlete with limited length
Doesn’t play to listed size
Lacks aggression and instincts
Struggles to stack and shed against the run
Tends to over pursue ball carriers
Lacks any pass rush ability
Slow processor in run defense and in coverage
Tends to get lost in coverage