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: October 29, 2024)
1. Harold Perkins, LSU
LB | 6’1″ | 225 lbs | 3rd Year
Harold Perkins scouting report preview coming soon.
Harold Perkins 2023 Stats
13 games: 75 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 6 passes defended, 1 interception, 3 fumbles forced
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
LB | 6’3″ | 245 lbs | 3rd Year
Jihaad Campbell scouting report preview coming soon.
Jihaad Campbell 2023 Stats
13 games: 66 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 interception
3. Jalon Walker, Georgia
ILB/OLB | 6’2″ | 245 lbs | 3rd Year
Jalon Walker scouting report preview coming soon.
Jalon Walker 2023 Stats
14 games: 20 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 fumble forced
4. Jay Higgins, Iowa
LB | 6’2″ | 235 lbs | 5th Year
Jay Higgins scouting report preview coming soon.
Jay Higgins 2023 Stats
14 games: 171 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 5 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 fumble forced
5. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
LB | 6’4″ | 240 lbs | 4th Year
Danny Stutsman scouting report preview coming soon.
Danny Stutsman 2023 Stats
12 games: 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 4 passes defended, 1 interception, 2 fumbles forced
Complete 2025 LB Draft Rankings
| RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | AGE | HT | WT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harold Perkins | LSU | 3rd | 6'1" | 225 |
| 2 | Jihaad Campbell | Alabama | 3rd | 6'3" | 245 |
| 3 | Jalon Walker | Georgia | 3rd | 6'2" | 245 |
| 4 | Jay Higgins | Iowa | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 5 | Danny Stutsman | Oklahoma | 4th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 6 | Smael Mondon | Georgia | 4th | 6'3" | 220 |
| 7 | Barrett Carter | Clemson | 4th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 8 | Nick Martin | Oklahoma State | 4th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 9 | Deontae Lawson | Alabama | 4th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 10 | Francisco Mauigoa | Miami (FL) | 4th | 6'3" | 230 |
| 11 | Lander Barton | Utah | 3rd | 6'4" | 235 |
| 12 | Jamon Dumas-Johnson | Kentucky | 4th | 6'1" | 245 |
| 13 | Cody Lindenberg | Minnesota | 5th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 14 | Karene Reid | Utah | 4th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 15 | Jack Kelly | BYU | 4th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 16 | Keli Lawson | Virginia Tech | 4th | 6'4" | 225 |
| 17 | Cody Simon | Ohio State | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 18 | Nick Jackson | Iowa | 6th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 19 | Sonny Styles | Ohio State | 3rd | 6'4" | 235 |
| 20 | Devon Jackson | Oregon | 3rd | 6'2" | 230 |
| 21 | Jason Henderson | Old Dominion | 4th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 22 | Jack Kiser | Notre Dame | 6th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 23 | David Gbenda | Texas | 6th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 24 | D'Eryk Jackson | Kentucky | 5th | 6'1" | 245 |
| 25 | Teddye Buchanan | California | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 26 | Mohamed Toure | Rutgers | 6th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 27 | Shemar James | Florida | 3rd | 6'1" | 230 |
| 28 | Marlowe Wax | Syracuse | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 29 | Tyreem Powell | Rutgers | 5th | 6'5" | 240 |
| 30 | Debo Williams | South Carolina | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 31 | Oluwafemi Oladejo | UCLA | 4th | 6'3" | 250 |
| 32 | Xander Mueller | Northwestern | 5th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 33 | Jaheim Thomas | Wisconsin | 5th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 34 | Deshawn Pace | UCF | 5th | 6'2" | 215 |
| 35 | Jestin Jacobs | Oregon | 6th | 6'4" | 235 |
| 36 | Jaishawn Barham | Michigan | 3rd | 6'3" | 245 |
| 37 | Jacob Dobbs | James Madison | 6th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 38 | Matt Jones | Baylor | 6th | 6'3" | 250 |
| 39 | Keenan Pili | Tennessee | 7th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 40 | Jordan Turner | Michigan State | 5th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 41 | Johnny Hodges | TCU | 5th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 42 | Kain Medrano | UCLA | 6th | 6'3" | 230 |
| 43 | Cal Haladay | Michigan State | 5th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 44 | Mason Cobb | USC | 5th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 45 | Ruben Hyppolite II | Maryland | 5th | 6'0" | 230 |
| 46 | Demetrius Knight II | South Carolina | 6th | 6'2" | 245 |
| 47 | Jhalyn Shuler | South Florida | 5th | 6'3" | 225 |
| 48 | Khari Coleman | Ole Miss | 5th | 6'2" | 220 |
| 49 | Levani Damuni | Utah | 6th | 6'2" | 245 |
| 50 | Austin Moore | Kansas State | 6th | 6'1" | 220 |
| 51 | JT Killen | Eastern Michigan | 6th | 6'3" | 230 |
| 52 | Cam Riley | Florida State | 5th | 6'5" | 240 |
| 53 | Ethan Barr | UCF | 5th | 6'3" | 245 |
| 54 | Tyler Elsdon | Penn State | 5th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 55 | Tristan Sinclair | Stanford | 6th | 6'1" | 220 |
| 56 | Justin Flowe | Arizona | 5th | 6'3" | 220 |
| 57 | Tongiaki Mateialona | Nevada | 5th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 58 | Justin Wright | Oklahoma State | 7th | 6'2" | 245 |
| 59 | Jesiah Pierre | UCF | 6th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 60 | Noah Martin | Samford | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 61 | Corey Thomas Jr. | Virginia | 6th | 6'4" | 215 |
| 62 | Matt Hudson | Memphis | 5th | 6'3" | 230 |
| 63 | Keye Thompson | Pittsburgh | 7th | 6'0" | 230 |
| 64 | Ozzie Nicholas | Duke | 5th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 65 | Donyai Taylor | UTSA | 5th | 6'1" | 205 |
| 66 | Tyler Grubbs | Tulane | 5th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 67 | Brendan Bell | Villanova | 5th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 68 | Jamal Ligon | UTSA | 5th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 69 | Darius Snow | Michigan State | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 70 | Christian Sweeney | Colgate | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 71 | David Reese | California | 7th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 72 | William McRainey | ETSU | 5th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 73 | John Gioia | Towson | 6th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 74 | Joseph Vaughn | UCLA | 6th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 75 | Taurus Jones | James Madison | 6th | 6'1" | 215 |
| 76 | Macklin Ayers | Massachusetts | 5th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 77 | Garrett Cox | Indiana (PA) | 5th | 5'11" | 230 |
| 78 | Brendan Gant | Colorado | 6th | 6'2" | 205 |
| 79 | Marcel Brooks | TCU | 6th | 6'2" | 215 |
| 80 | Juan De La Cruz | Western Illinois | 5th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 81 | Liam Johnson | California | 5th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 82 | Evan Eller | Wyoming | 5th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 83 | Anthony Roussos | Columbia | 5th | 5'11" | 230 |
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, the bigger issue tends to be if there’s adequate talent in the top 100. It’s a little too early to tell just yet.
