Complete 2025 NFL Draft LB Rankings:
You are currently viewing our linebacker rankings for the 2024 NFL Draft. The 2025 LB looks strong than last year’s class, but just how good is it?
Our top linebacker prospects are selected after thousands of hours carefully scouting the most talented inside linebackers in college football. Even though only about 25 will get selected in the draft, dozens more are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite.
We’ll provide you with inside information to help you know who will be a star, who will be a bust, and which sleepers will shock the world.
BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2025 NFL draft linebacker prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.
(Last Updated: March 9, 2025)
1. Jalon Walker, Georgia
ILB/OLB | 6’2″ | 245 lbs | 3rd Year
Jalon Walker is a powerful linebacker with a ton of potential and versatility. After playing sparingly his first two seasons, Walker shot up draft boards this year thanks to elite performances in the games that mattered most. His 6.5 sacks game in games against Clemson, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, and the second Texas game.
Walker shows flashes of college Micah Parsons, a powerful inside linebacker with a rapid trigger who will eventually be moved to a full time edge rusher. He has elite bend and a combination of speed and power that’s hard to come by, all packed into a bowling ball frame.
As an inside linebacker, Walker needs to identify plays faster and take big strides as a cover guy. The potential is certainly there, but how he ends up getting used and how well he fills in the gaps in his game will decide which direction his career goes.
Jalon Walker 2024 Stats
14 games: 60 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 passes defended
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
LB | 6’3″ | 245 lbs | 3rd Year
Jihaad Campbell has everything you’re looking for in an NFL linebacker. He was all over the place for the Crimson Tide, wracking up tackles and easily getting sideline to sideline.
Campbell has the size of an old school NFL linebacker at 6’3″ 245 pounds, has length to play bigger than that, and is exceptionally fast when he triggers towards the football.
Campbell can be a big slow moving laterally in coverage, but shows great instincts and has the physical traits to match up well with tight ends in the NFL. Teams will also love his ability to rush the passer in a pinch, providing excellent scheme versatility.
Jihaad Campbell 2024 Stats
13 games: 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 interception, 2 fumbles forced
3. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
LB | 6’2″ | 225 lbs | 4th Year
Carson Schwesinger is an incredibly smooth linebacker with an impressive first step and solid coverage potential.
Schwesinger looks like a safety when he drops back in coverage, showing fluid hips and quick feet, along with great change of direction ability. He finished first among power conference defenders in total tackles as well as solo tackles, with consistent form and hit power.
The concern for Carson Schwesinger will be strength. He has a bit of a lean build which could hurt him finishing plays against bigger ball carriers and make it harder to contain the edge in the run game.
Carson Schwesinger 2024 Stats
12 games: 136 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4 sack, 5 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble forced
4. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
LB | 6’4″ | 240 lbs | 4th Year
Danny Stutsman has prototypical traits for a modern NFL do-it-all linebacker. With great size at 6’4″ 235+ pounds, Stutsman has the power and technique to fight through blocks while keeping his eyes in the backfield. He rarely misses tackles, and constantly plays with a chip on his shoulder.
While the stats took a step back from 2023, the tape was better in a lot of ways. Stutsman has struggled in the past with filling the wrong lane in run protection, allowing for big plays. He cleaned that up this season and was highly effective triggering into the backfield to blow up plays before they really get started.
His coverage ability is decent, but needs to improve his discipline with his eyes. He’s relying too much on athletic ability and tends to be just a step behind. If the instincts improve just slightly, he has the traits to turn into a solid cover guy.
Danny Stutsman 2024 Stats
12 games: 109 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 1 sack
5. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
LB | 6’2″ | 235 lbs | 6th Year
Demetrius Knight Jr. has been one of the biggest risers in my rankings since the end of the regular season. After 4 lackluster seasons at Georgia Tech, Knight transferred to Charlotte where he instantly became an All-Conference player. After just one season, he transferred to South Carolina where he became a leader for one of the best defenses in the country.
Knight has prototypical size for an NFL linebacker, with a strong long-armed frame that allows him to excel in the box against the run or dropping back in coverage.
Knight has above average athletic ability and moves well laterally, and does an excellent job shedding blocks while rarely missing tackles. He’s an older prospect and doesn’t have any one trait that jumps off the page, but he’s a solid all-around prospect with minimal weaknesses.
Demetrius Knight Jr. 2024 Stats
13 games: 82 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 interception, 3 fumbles forced
Complete 2025 LB Draft Rankings
MORE 2025 NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
Traits That Make a LB Prospect Great
Inside linebackers are often called the quarterback of the defense, and need to make a ton of lightning quick reactions to play effectively. Closing speed, tackling, play recognition, and lateral quickness are among some of the most important factors of scouting the top linebacker prospects.
Some of the factors we consider when scouting are included below.
Closing Speed
When the play presents itself, the best linebackers will have the closing speed to get there in a flash. This speed doesn’t always translate to a great 40 time as it happens in slightly shorter bursts, but this burst is a must-have to get sideline to sideline.
Play Recognition
Even if you have great speed, if you don’t have the football IQ to recognize plays, you’re likely going to be late to your spots. Determining run versus pass, understanding route combinations, and identifying blocking concepts all fall into this category.
Lateral Quickness
Linebacker prospects need to be able to keep their eyes in the backfield while moving side to side and occupying the proper gaps. Having good lateral quickness and smooth feet will help them stay in good position and continually find themselves near the play.
Tackling
Hit power and tackling form are absolute necessities for linebackers. While tackling form can definitely be improved with coaching, most of the elite linebackers in college football are already advanced with their tackling form and have it come naturally to them.
Overall Opinion of the 2025 Linebacker Draft Class
The linebacker group wasn’t looking too strong to open the season, but a few young talents have taken a big step forward to really solidify the class. Depth is rarely a concern for linebacker, and that’s the case once again this year.
This class might end up with more draftable prospects than we’ve ever seen before. The only weak spot is likely in the middle of the draft, around the start of day 3. Other than that it’s a good year to get a starter or depth.
