The 2025 linebacker frankly leaves a lot to be desired and lacks depth and top end talent. Programs like Alabama and Georgia once again headline the talent pool, with Jihaad Campbell and Jalon Walker headlining the class, with a few guys down the board that I still like in Smeal Mondon and Demetrius Knight.
LB1 – Jihaad Campbell, Alabama – 87.1 – Round 1
A fluid, twitchy linebacker with prototypical speed and and explosiveness to be a sideline-to-sideline difference-maker. He has the athletic profile and instincts to anchor a defense at the next level.
LB2 – Jalon Walker, Georgia – 86.7 – Round 1
Walker is a versatile chess piece who can rush the passer and cover in space who is wildly athletic. He played a bit of a tweener role at Georgia, but his elite traits will make him a first round pick as a pure athlete.
LB3 – Carson Schwesinger, UCLA – 85.5 – Round 2
Schwesinger is an intelligent linebacker with athleticism to be an impact player at the next level. He lacks strength, but could be a three-down weapon if he gets stronger.
LB4 – Demetrius Knight, South Carolina – 83.4 – Round 3
Knight is an older prospect that hasn’t played much linebacker at South Carolina. He flashed solid traits and ability, but he is an older developmental linebacker prospect that typically isn’t very desirable to the NFL
LB5 – Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss – 83.0 – Round 3
Chris Paul has a strong motor and toughness stand out consistently on tape. He is undersized, but is one of the few players in this class that I can say confidently that he is a good football player.
LB6 – Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia – 82.1 – Round 4
Mondon has athletic tools and SEC petigree as a converted safety, but needs to play with more consistency. He has coverage tools. but needs more experience in his development.
LB7 – Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota – 81.9 – Round 4
Lindenberg brings a tough, high-effort playing style as a read and react run defender. He lacks speed, but could contribute on early downs in the run game.
LB8 – Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon – 79.4 – Round 5
Bassa is a former safety with stiff hips and a thin frame, Bassa offers sub-package upsid, and will be a core special teamer while he develops.
LB9 – Teddyye Buchanan, California – 78.9 – Round 5
Buchanan is a traditional athletic developmental linebacker that is not ready to see the field in year 1. He has the traits to contribute on special teams while he develops.
LB10 – Kobe King, Penn State – 78.7 – Round 5
King is a thick-built, physical inside linebacker who excels against the run. His range and coverage skills are limited due to his lack of athleticism, but he’s useful depth and could contribute in a pinch in a two-down role.
