2025: Linebackers

Jihaad Campbell – LB – Alabama – 86

He might have the prototypical build for a modern off ball linebacker. At 6’3” and 235 pounds he maintains long arms and big hands and runs a staggering 4.52 in the 40. Campbell was a 5 star Nick Saban recruit playing 35 games over his 3 years in Tuscaloosa. I like all his physical traits, but his read and react instincts are seriously lacking. Lots of feet shuffling and trying to decipher the offense. I’d love for him to develop into a Will backer, but that’s going to require great coaching. At least Campbell’s length and aggressiveness will allow him to play on the edge, although his weight will keep him from being a 3 down edge setter.

Carson Schwesinger – LB – UCLA – 85

Here’s a true off-ball linebacker. The former walk-on excelled on special teams for two years before getting his chance to start in 2024, which he took full advantage of by becoming a 1st team All-American. Clear read and react skills which are impressive given his lack of defensive playing time. Carson scrapes and moves well laterally able to stonewall rushers in the hole before they get downhill. As a classic Mike, he’s undersized and will struggle against guards getting to the second level. As a Will he should succeed with explosive quickness.

Jalon Walker – LB – Georgia – 83

Has a better body type fit for off ball linebacker but looks more comfortable playing from the edge. If SAM linebackers were still a thing, he’d be a top 15 pick with his explosiveness. Unfortunately, he’s not long enough to set the edge and not lateral enough for off ball linebacker. Walker is a great athlete and he will play at the next level, but I don’t see a role where he can excel outside of gap blitzes. He can pursue the ball, but his tight hips impede his pursuit angles. Tough break for the kid, great talent, wrong era. They say he has off the charts leadership traits which bumps him from round 3 to 2 for me.