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• Harold Perkins leads the way: Ascending LSU If he were eligible for a draft, junior would have been the best linebacker by 2024.
• Anthony Hill Jr. is the 2026 prospect to know: Although he did not crack the top 10 the rising Texas The 2026 NFL Draft will feature a linebacker who is a sophomore.
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NFL players are not allowed to enter the NFL until three years after they have graduated from high school.
Would it be possible to change the rules so that players can enter after only one year in college? This is how top-10 prospects for linebackers would be ranked in the draft. NFL Draft 2024 If every college football player was eligible to play.
Note: The NFL Drafts of 2024, 2020 and 2026 were only considered. True freshmen entering the NFL Draft in 2024 were not considered. The 2024 rankings reflect my opinion of the prospect, and not necessarily the ranking that is reflected. PFF’s large board.)
You can also view all of our prospect rankings by clicking below.
QB | R | WR | T | It is a slang term for “OT” | IOL | The following is a list of the most recent and relevant articles. | EDGE
1. Harold Perkins, LSU, 2025
Perkins was a top-10 prospect when he arrived in Baton Rouge and reaffirmed that status during his first season. He was the top-rated Power Five pass rusher in 2022 (with a PFF score of 91.0) and second best among FBS Linebackers, with 18 knockdowns on quarterbacks.
As a sophomore, the Tigers wanted him to take on a more off-ball position. He responded by earning an 81.1 coverage PFF grade. This was amongst the top 15 marks for Power Five Linebackers. When LSU Perkins is versatile and can do anything asked at high levels. It would be smart to allow him to rush more the passer as a Junior.
LSU LB Harold Perkins w/ his best play of the half, sack & forced fumble to end the 2nd quarter.
-???? ESPN
-Xeet by https://t.co/mD5mygar9j pic.twitter.com/NEeCGDFXjy— Lonn Phillips Sullivan (@LonnPhillips) Sept. 24, 2023
2. Payton W., NC State, 2024
Wilson is a prospect linebacker who has everything that you want: intelligence, length, athleticism, and production. This past season, Wilson ranked third out of all the linebackers across the country with an 89.9 rating from PFF. He was also awarded the Bednarik Trophy for the best college football defender.
His injury record will probably prevent him from getting drafted in the first round. Wilson already has two torn anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) in his professional career. He also suffered a season ending shoulder injury in the year 2022. Wilson will likely become a good linebacker for the NFL if he is able to stay in the game.
Lol, Payton Wilson knocks him over because of course that’s what he would do pic.twitter.com/SKIzvm00ug
— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) The 9th of April, 2024
3. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M, 2024
Cooper, who was the highest-rated linebacker in PFF (90.8) for 2023 while Wilson won most individual awards that year. Cooper was the only linebacker in the country to earn 85 or higher PFF ratings as a pass rusher, run defender and coverage.
Cooper is an explosive athlete who performs best on the downhill.
Edgerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr cooper is what the Eagles should draft instead of Nolan pic.twitter.com/RVUQ0gNt11
— Dylan ????️ (blue check) (@dylxn5phillips) April 3, 2020
4. Barrett Carter, Clemson, 2025
Carter the – Top linebacker prospects in 2024 NFL Draft at the start of the season According to PFF’s Lead Draft Analyst Trevor Sikkema Carter surprised many when he returned for his senior year. Carter, despite his sophomore season not being as impressive (70.6 PFF in 2023 instead of 81.4 in 2022), has still earned one of the highest spots in this list.
Carter is the most valuable returning Power Five Linebacker according to PFF’s win above average metrics. Carter is especially strong on the passing downs. He has 80+ PFF grades in both pass-rusher as well as run-defender categories. Carter can return to the first round of drafts with a strong 2024 season.
Barrett Carter, Clemson’s Barrett Carter, shows off his amazing athleticism by batting this ball and intercepting it at the Gator bowl.
Carter announced he was returning to Clemson. He should be viewed by NFL scouts as a potential top LB for the draft of 2025. pic.twitter.com/whZzL7o2Uj
— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) November 29, 2023
5. Junior Colson, Michigan, 2024
The three-year starter MichiganColson is a linebacker who has improved in every season during his career. This past season, Colson was only one of seven linebackers across the country to receive 80-plus grade both in run defense as well as in coverage.
Colson has the intelligence and size to be a successful starter for a long time in the NFL.
???NFL Draft Gems???-#31 Junior Colson, LB (Michigan). #nfldraft2024 #michigan #michiganfootball
LINK???????? https://t.co/8H68wRHqEM
Junior Colson plays football with precision, avoiding unnecessary movement and pursuing angles. Colson is one… pic.twitter.com/GvT9l44Rtw
— The Mock Draft Guy ™️ (@MockDraftGuyYT) April 2, 2020
6. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson, 2024
Trotter, a prospect in this year’s draft, has NFL bloodlines. His father Jeremiah Sr. was an All-Pro Linebacker in the NFL who played for 12 years. It’s obvious that Trotter has grown up with football because of his intelligence. It’s only one Power Five Linebacker who has received 80+ PFF ratings as a pass-rusher, run-defender and coverage in the last two seasons.
Trotter has less-than-ideal measurables at 6 feet, 228 lbs with a below average speed and explosiveness. Trotter’s IQ is likely to allow him a role of significance in an NFL defense.
7. Jaishawn Barham, Michigan, 2025
Barham made his debut in 2022 as a freshman, ranking fifth among Power Five Linebackers. He received an 83.1 coverage PFF grade. According to PFF’s win-above-average metrics, he finished his season as the 7th-most-valuable linebacker across the nation.
Barham had to deal with injuries during his sophomore year and only received a grade of 44.7% in PFF’s coverage this season. In 2024, he will try to bounce back at his new school as he has transferred from Maryland The following are some of the ways to get in touch with us: Michigan In December,
After the outcome of this play and considering the end to the regular season, Jaishawn Barham’s status as a Wolverine now, I do not think Michigan fans were all that upset by the performance. pic.twitter.com/qFgZwGMxWc
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) The date of December 21st, 2023
8. Jay Higgins, Iowa, 2025
Higgins, a real ironman. IowaIn 2023, he will be the top FBS defensive player in terms of snaps with 985. He was able to play at a high level, despite rarely leaving the field. His PFF score of 89.6 placed him fifth out all the linebackers across the country. Higgins finished the year as PFF’s most valuable linebacker according to the wins-above average metric.
In the last year he seemed to always be near the ball, as he led the nation in the number of plays where a first-contact was made with the ball carrier. Higgins is one of six Power Five Linebackers to earn 80+ grades as both a cover and run defense. The other is at the bottom of this list, while the four others are among the best linebackers in the world. PFF’s big 2024 NFL Draft board: Payton W., Edgerrin Cooper, Junior Colson The following are some examples of how to get started: Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Higgins, with a 90.8 PFF grade at his position, was the highest-rated player among all Power Five.
JAY HIGGINS TAKS ‘PICK-A CARD’ LEGALLY pic.twitter.com/VQMIiGyVS0
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) The date of October 7, 2023
9. Cedric Gray, North Carolina, 2024
Gray is able to be in constant contact with the ball because of his sideline-tosideline speed. Over the last two years, he has made contact with a ball-carrier 223 times. This is 19 times more than any other FBS or Power Five linebacker.
Gray’s play recognition needs to improve to make him a regular starter, but he has the potential to be an excellent run-stuffer.
If you like long LBs that can cover ground in a hurry… Cedric Gray might be for you! pic.twitter.com/nAAJSVjvMM
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 20, 2030
10. Danny Stutsman Oklahoma Sooners, 2025
Stutsman, who spent his entire career in the opposing defensive backfields, was named a member of AP’s third-team All-American team this season. In his junior year, Stutsman tied with Power Five linebackers for the most tackles made for no gain. In addition, his 37 runs defense stops tied him for eighth place in the Power Five.
Last season, he earned a PFF score of 64.2 in this area. Stutsman will be once again the top player in downhill. OklahomaThe defense of the next season.
Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman’s season is eerily similar to the Butkus Award.
—43 tackles
—Eight tackles for loss
—leads a defense giving up 8.5 points per game
—OU is 4-0
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) The date is September 26, 2023
Anthony Hill Jr. Texas
Hill was a big deal when he graduated high school. He had been rated as one of the top 20 recruits in class of 2023. Hill has a lot of work ahead (60.1 PFF in 2023) but his ceiling is high.
Hill tied with 21 other Power Five linebackers in the past season for 15 stops on coverage and 18 pressures. At 6 feet 3 inches tall and 234 lbs, he has an incredible closing pace.
Are we going to talk about Anthony Hill Jr. forcing the fumble, and then throw this guy around like he’s not a fully grown man? ???????? pic.twitter.com/fqpXgk0V65
— Longhorn Lads (@LonghornLads) November 4, 2023
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