Complete 2026 NFL Draft LB Rankings:
You are currently viewing our linebacker rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft. The 2026 LB looks significantly better than the past two years, but just how good will it be?
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 2026 NFL draft linebacker prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.
(Last Updated: March 5, 2026)
1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State
LB/EDGE | 6’4″ | 241 lbs | 3rd Year
Arvell Reese Scouting Report
Arvell Reese has emerged as the premier defensive prospect in the 2026 class and a tone-setting playmaker for Ohio State. After rotating early in his career, he took a significant leap last season and became the centerpiece of the Buckeyes front seven.
Reese’s biggest strength is his versatility. He can rush off the edge, stack and shed inside, or drop into coverage without looking out of place. His first-step explosiveness and closing speed routinely stress tackles and create disruption even when he does not finish with a sack.
He plays with outstanding effort and physicality, showing the ability to chase plays sideline to sideline. Reese has also proven reliable in high-leverage moments against top competition. The main knock is that his pass rush plan can be inconsistent, relying on athleticism over counters at times. That refinement should come quickly.
Arvell Reese 2025 Stats
14 games: 69 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 passes defended
2. Sonny Styles, Ohio State
LB | 6’5″ | 244 lbs | 4th Year
Sonny Styles Scouting Report
Sonny Styles is an elite all around athlete who started his career as a supersized Safety before transitioning to linebacker and becoming an All-American for Ohio State.
Styles brings a rare blend of size, range, and athleticism that fits exactly what the modern NFL is looking for on the second level. He is comfortable playing in space, carrying tight ends and backs in coverage, and shows the instincts to trigger downhill quickly against the run. His background in the secondary shows up in his awareness, ball skills, and ability to process route concepts. Styles can play with some physicality when he needs to, but his real value is in his versatility and chess piece usage.
If he had entered the 2025 draft, he would’ve been knocked for his tackling form. That was significantly better this past season, and showcases he is still trending quickly upwards in his skillset. He can still be a little overaggressive on play fakes and is only average at getting off blocks, but Styles has a ton to work with and limited downsides.
Sonny Styles 2025 Stats
14 games: 82 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 fumble forced
3. Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
LB | 6’3″ | 238 lbs | 3rd Year
Anthony Hill Jr. Scouting Report
Anthony Hill is one of the most dominant linebackers in the country, even if his production dipped after a massive 2024 season.
Hill is a rangy, explosive second level defender with excellent speed, closing ability, and natural instincts attacking downhill. At his best, he diagnoses quickly and arrives with real pop, making him a tone setter against the run and on blitzes. His 2024 tape showed a difference making presence all over the field, while 2025 was quieter and less consistent, both statistically and snap to snap.
Hill is still a very good athlete in space and has the tools to develop into a better coverage linebacker, though his angles and anticipation can be hit or miss. He can over pursue and take himself out of plays at times. Even with the uneven year, the upside, speed, and impact flashes still point to a high end modern linebacker with starter traits.
Anthony Hill Jr. 2025 Stats
10 games: 69 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 passes defended, 2 interceptions, 3 fumbles forced
4. CJ Allen, Georgia
LB | 6’1″ | 230 lbs | 3rd Year
CJ Allen Scouting Report
When a true freshman sees extensive playing time for Georgia’s defense, you need to take notice. CJ Allen saw playing time right away for the Bulldog’s star studded defense, and he’s since developed into an All-American.
Allen is a big time athlete with great straight line speed and quick change of direction, able to carry wide receivers or chase down running backs in the flat. He has the length and quick feet to develop into a solid cover linebacker, but at the moment his calling card is his run defense. Allen gets low into blocks and uses his length to shed blockers while taking effective angles and consistently filling his gaps. Allen has always been a very effective tackler who hits with good power and great technique.
If Allen is going to become the superstar linebacker some think he can be, he’ll need to be more instinctual. He’ll also need to dramatically improve his coverage technique and play more aware in zone.
CJ Allen 2025 Stats
13 games: 88 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 2 fumbles forced
5. Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
LB | 6’1″ | 231 lbs | 5th Year
Jacob Rodriguez Scouting Report
Stats definitely aren’t the most important part of an NFL draft evaluation, but at some point they have to matter, especially for an instinctual position like linebacker. And Jacob Rodriguez put up absolutely ridiculous numbers, including 11 forced turnovers.
Jacob Rodriguez is always around the football. He keeps his eyes in the backfield and on the quarterback exceptionally well, with the football IQ to anticipate plays before they happen and an ability to process information like a quarterback. He actually started his college career as a QB, which shows up in his coverage ability and understanding of QB tendencies. He’s a consistent tackler who shows get form, and triggers fast into the backfield to blow up run plays.
The physical traits are all average for Rodriguez, which will cause him to fall in the draft and be taken after players who are objectively worse than him. With average speed, minimal length, and most importantly not too much hitting power, it’ll be difficult to continue his same level of dominance at the next level. That being said, the best linebackers play with an instinct that you can’t really teach, and Rodriguez has it.
Jacob Rodriguez 2025 Stats
14 games: 128 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 10 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 7 fumbles forced
6. Josiah Trotter, Missouri
LB | 6’2″ | 237 lbs | 3rd Year
Josiah Trotter Scouting Report
Josiah Trotter exploded onto the scene as a redshirt sophomore this year, making him one of the less experienced players in the class. You would never guess it by looking at him.
Trotter has a grown man’s game with big time closing speed and hit power, offering elite ability shooting the gaps as a run blitzer. He’s a very nimble and fluid athlete who is difficult to square up as a blocker, but even if he does get squared up he has so much pop in his hands and shoulders that the blocker better have a good anchor. The instincts and reaction speed are obvious with how fast he diagnoses plays towards the line of scrimmage.
Trotter can be overaggressive and bite too often on play fakes, but this can improve with more snaps. The bigger issue is in coverage, where he doesn’t change direction very well and has very little awareness as a zone defender. Teams will take the upside as a run defender, and hope that with his young age he can still improve in pass coverage.
Josiah Trotter 2025 Stats
12 games: 84 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass defended
7. Jake Golday, Cincinnati
LB | 6’5″ | 239 lbs | 5th Year
Jake Golday Scouting Report
Jake Golday may have started his career at Central Arkansas, but his physical traits are better than most 5 star recruits. The 6’4″ 240 pound linebacker is extra big for today’s NFL, but has big time athletic ability including 22mph speed and a 39″ vertical.
Golday has a quick first step and smooth hips to turn and close fast on a ball carrier. He can cover a lot of ground and gives plenty of effort to get sideline-to-sideline. He has delivered some really big hits this past year, doing a good job with speed to power moves. Golday is a consistent tackler who doesn’t miss often, and has enough size to play on the edge if needed.
If he’s on a team that wants him to take a lot of edge snaps, he’ll want to add some strength to improve his anchor. As a pure linebacker he isn’t the best in coverage despite his athletic ability, and can be slow to diagnose plays.
Jake Golday 2025 Stats
12 games: 105 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 fumble forced
8. Deontae Lawson, Alabama
LB | 6’3″ | 226 lbs | 5th Year
Deontae Lawson Scouting Report
Deontae Lawson is one of the most consistent and experienced linebackers in the country. The former 5 star recruit has started over 40 games for the Crimson Tide, bringing high level football intelligence, leadership, and reliability to the middle of the defense.
He diagnoses plays quickly, takes clean angles, and is almost always where he’s supposed to be. Lawson plays with good size and strength, allowing him to stack and shed blockers and finish runs with authority. He is comfortable dropping into zone coverage and communicates well pre snap, which shows up in Alabama’s overall defensive organization.
His game is built more on instincts and discipline than raw athletic flash, and he does not have elite range or sudden burst. There are times when dynamic athletes can stress him in space. Still, his consistency, toughness, and understanding of the game make him a safe projection as a dependable NFL linebacker who can play early and wear the green dot.
Deontae Lawson 2025 Stats
15 games: 89 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sack, 4 passes defended, 2 fumble forced
9. Harold Perkins, LSU
LB/EDGE | 6’1″ | 223 lbs | 4th Year
Harold Perkins Scouting Report
Harold Perkins was one of the best players in the SEC to open his career in 2022-2023, playing predominantly as an undersized edge. In 2024 he started playing more inside linebacker, but a serious injury completely altered the course of his development.
Perkins had a bit of a bounce back after the injury-plagued 2024 season, and was able to show occasional flashes of how he played early in his career. He’s a big time athlete with a lot of bend, a fast first step, and big time aggression. He also seems to be getting his hand on the ball, whether it’s breaking up a pass or forcing a fumble, and he’s still a slippery pass rusher when he’s given chances.
Perkins has all the traits of an NFL starter, but there’s plenty to clean up. He misses too many tackles due to not wrapping up, and he tends to guess when he’s in coverage which hasn’t worked out too well for him.
Harold Perkins 2025 Stats
12 games: 56 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 6 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble forced
10. Red Murdock, Buffalo
LB | 6’2″ | 232 lbs | 4th Year
Red Murdock Scouting Report
Red Murdock is an underappreciated linebacker with a nose for the football. All the All-American does is produce, and he has the size, power, and instincts to continue producing at the next level.
Murdock has forced an NCAA record 17 fumbles in his college career, and that doesn’t happen by luck. He squares up his tackles and puts his shoulder or fist directly on the football. He rarely misses tackles, and he has heavy hands that knock offensive lineman off course. He has a good first step when working down hill and is very fast to diagnose run plays, helping him accumulate a ridiculous 30 tackles for loss across the past two seasons.
Despite improving in coverage this past season, he isn’t very quick laterally and doesn’t have the length to compensate. He isn’t exceptionally fast, and is tight in the hips if he has to turn and run upfield. The athletic limitations will limit his upside and versatility, leaving him primarily as a two-down backer.
Red Murdock 2025 Stats
12 games: 142 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 pass defended, 6 fumbles forced
Complete 2026 NFL Draft Linebacker Rankings
| RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | AGE | HT | WT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arvell Reese | Ohio State | 3rd | 6'4" | 241 |
| 2 | Sonny Styles | Ohio State | 4th | 6'5" | 244 |
| 3 | Anthony Hill Jr. | Texas | 3rd | 6'2" | 238 |
| 4 | CJ Allen | Georgia | 3rd | 6'1" | 230 |
| 5 | Jacob Rodriguez | Texas Tech | 5th | 6'1" | 231 |
| 6 | Josiah Trotter | Missouri | 3rd | 6'2" | 237 |
| 7 | Jake Golday | Cincinnati | 5th | 6'5" | 239 |
| 8 | Deontae Lawson | Alabama | 5th | 6'3" | 226 |
| 9 | Harold Perkins | LSU | 4th | 6'1" | 223 |
| 10 | Red Murdock | Buffalo | 4th | 6'2" | 232 |
| 11 | Kaleb Elarms-Orr | TCU | 5th | 6'2" | 234 |
| 12 | Aiden Fisher | Indiana | 4th | 6'1" | 232 |
| 13 | Keyshaun Elliott | Arizona State | 4th | 6'2" | 231 |
| 14 | Kyle Louis | Pittsburgh | 4th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 15 | Justin Jefferson | Alabama | 5th | 6'0" | 223 |
| 16 | Jaden Dugger | Louisiana | 4th | 6'5" | 240 |
| 17 | Kendal Daniels | Oklahoma | 5th | 6'5" | 242 |
| 18 | Jack Kelly | BYU | 5th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 19 | Owen Heinecke | Oklahoma | 5th | 6'2" | 228 |
| 20 | Shad Banks Jr. | UTSA | 5th | 5'11" | 233 |
| 21 | Lander Barton | Utah | 4th | 6'5" | 233 |
| 22 | Karson Sharar | Iowa | 5th | 6'2" | 231 |
| 23 | Bryce Boettcher | Oregon | 5th | 6'1" | 233 |
| 24 | Namdi Obiazor | TCU | 6th | 6'3" | 229 |
| 25 | Xavian Sorey Jr. | Arkansas | 5th | 6'2" | 228 |
| 26 | Taurean York | Texas A&M | 3rd | 5'11" | 226 |
| 27 | Jimmy Rolder | Michigan | 4th | 6'3" | 238 |
| 28 | Jackson Kuwatch | Miami (OH) | 5th | 6'4" | 230 |
| 29 | Wade Woodaz | Clemson | 4th | 6'3" | 236 |
| 30 | Caden Fordham | NC State | 5th | 6'1" | 232 |
| 31 | Scooby Williams | Texas A&M | 5th | 6'2" | 231 |
| 32 | Wesley Bissainthe | Miami (FL) | 4th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 33 | Nikhai Hill-Green | Alabama | 6th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 34 | Jordan Kwiatkowski | Central Michigan | 4th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 35 | Eric Gentry | USC | 5th | 6'7" | 221 |
| 36 | Mac Harris | South Florida | 6th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 37 | Mani Powell | Purdue | 4th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 38 | Antonio Watts | Louisville | 4th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 39 | Elijah Herring | Florida State | 4th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 40 | Desmond Purnell | Kansas State | 5th | 5'11" | 228 |
| 41 | Jhalyn Shuler | South Florida | 6th | 6'3" | 225 |
| 42 | JonJon Vaughns | UCLA | 6th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 43 | Triston Newson | Missouri | 5th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 44 | Dariel Djabome | Rutgers | 4th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 45 | Dylan Rosiek | Illinois | 5th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 46 | Chase Wilson | West Virginia | 6th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 47 | TJ Quinn | Louisville | 5th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 48 | Travion Barnes | Baylor | 4th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 49 | Stephen Dix | Arkansas | 6th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 50 | James Conway | Fordham | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 51 | Keli Lawson | UCF | 5th | 6'4" | 225 |
| 52 | Devon Jackson | Oregon | 4th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 53 | Caleb Bacon | Iowa State | 5th | 6'4" | 245 |
| 54 | Micah Davey | UTEP | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 55 | Yanni Karlaftis | Northwestern | 5th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 56 | Martavius French | Colorado | 5th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 57 | Jordan Crook | Arizona State | 4th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 58 | Marco Notarainni | Boise State | 5th | 6'3" | 240 |
| 59 | Cole Kozlowski | UCF | 4th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 60 | Sean Brown | NC State | 5th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 61 | Trent Hendrick | James Madison | 4th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 62 | Luke Banbury | William & Mary | 5th | 6'1" | 222 |
| 63 | Sam Brumfield | Memphis | 6th | 5'11" | 225 |
| 64 | Darryl Peterson | Wisconsin | 5th | 6'1" | 245 |
| 65 | Shane Hartzell | Villanova | 5th | 6'0" | 230 |
| 66 | Alex Afari Jr. | Kentucky | 4th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 67 | Mac Uihlein | Northwestern | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 68 | Dylan Hazen | Wake Forest | 5th | 6'1" | 240 |
| 69 | John Miller | Utah State | 6th | 6'1" | 234 |
| 70 | Will Shaffer | Abilene Christian | 6th | 6'0" | 240 |
| 71 | Levani Damuni | Utah | 7th | 6'2" | 245 |
| 72 | Brendan Harrington | Georgia Southern | 7th | 6'0" | 218 |
| 73 | Johnny Chaney Jr. | Florida International | 5th | 6'3" | 230 |
| 74 | Javin Wright | Nebraska | 7th | 6'5" | 230 |
| 75 | Erick Hunter | Morgan State | 5th | 6'4" | 220 |
| 76 | Tyler Ochojski | Lehigh | 4th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 77 | James Jackson | Virginia | 5th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 78 | Christian Thomas | Maine | 6th | 6'3" | 230 |
| 79 | Rodney Dansby | Houston Christian | 5th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 80 | Marques Watson-Trent | Nebraska | 6th | 5'11" | 225 |
| 81 | Corban Hondru | Miami (OH) | 5th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 82 | West Weeks | LSU | 5th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 83 | Jordan Pollard | San Jose State | 4th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 84 | Declan Williams | Incarnate Word | 4th | 6'0" | 242 |
| 85 | Bryan McCoy | Oklahoma State | 4th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 86 | Marsel McDuffie | UNLV | 5th | 6'1" | 245 |
| 87 | Kendrick Blackshire | UTSA | 5th | 6'1" | 245 |
| 88 | Devon Williams | Minnesota | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 89 | Malachi McNeal | North Dakota | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 90 | Jack Dingle | Cincinnati | 5th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 91 | Taniela Latu | San Jose State | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 92 | Baron Hopson | Kennesaw State | 5th | 6'1" | 215 |
| 93 | Shane Bruce | Coastal Carolina | 6th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 94 | Bangally Kamara | Kansas | 6th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 95 | Langston Patterson | Vanderbilt | 4th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 96 | Joseph Sipp Jr. | Kansas | 4th | 6'0" | 230 |
| 97 | Logan Kopp | North Dakota State | 5th | 6'1" | 220 |
| 98 | Evan Eller | Wyoming | 6th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 99 | Jordan Stringer | Troy | 5th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 100 | Andrew Awe | Rice | 5th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 101 | Andrew Simpson | North Carolina | 5th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 102 | Jadon Pearson | Fresno State | 6th | 6'1" | 220 |
| 103 | Brayden Johnson | Wyoming | 4th | 6'4" | 245 |
| 104 | Ryan Sever | St. Thomas | 4th | 6'0" | 227 |
| 105 | Tucker Langenberg | Northern Iowa | 5th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 106 | Andon Thomas | Army | 4th | 6'0" | 214 |
| 107 | Dameon Wilson | East Carolina | 5th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 108 | Jaylin Alderman | Miami (FL) | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 109 | Justin Flowe | UNLV | 6th | 6'3" | 220 |
| 110 | Jalen Garner | Houston | 5th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 111 | Kalib Fortner | Army | 4th | 6'1" | 220 |
| 112 | Tahj Chambers | Ole Miss | 6th | 6'2" | 215 |
| 113 | KK Reno | SE Louisiana | 4th | 5'11" | 210 |
| 114 | Reginald Hughes | Colorado | 6th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 115 | Quinn Urwiler | Northern Illinois | 6th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 116 | Dakota Cochran | Central Michigan | 5th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 117 | Trey Fields | North Texas | 6th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 118 | Jalen Marshall | Marshall | 5th | 6'2" | 220 |
| 119 | Jalen Brooks | Missouri State | 6th | 5'11" | 230 |
| 120 | Sam Howard | Tulane | 6th | 6'2" | 220 |
| 121 | Sebastian Adamski | Southern Utah | 5th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 122 | AJ Roberts | Stony Brook | 6th | 6'0" | 230 |
| 123 | Stemarion Edwards | Alcorn State | 5th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 124 | Ryan Crandall | Northern Iowa | 4th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 125 | Jeff Roberson | Minnesota | 6th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 126 | Giovanni Iovino | Hawaii | 5th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 127 | Nate Ewell | South Dakota | 5th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 128 | Darius McKenzie | South Alabama | 6th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 129 | Justin Waters | Charleston Southern | 6th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 130 | Mason Woods | Kent State | 5th | 5'11" | 215 |
| 131 | Sean Allison | Drake | 4th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 132 | Parker Hughes | Mid Tenn State | 5th | 6'1" | 226 |
| 133 | Mitchell Gonser | Buffalo | 6th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 134 | Reid Pulliam | Jackson State | 4th | 6'3" | 230 |
| 135 | Isiah King | Idaho | 5th | 6'3" | 215 |
| 136 | Jack Stoll | Central Connecticut | 4th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 137 | Treylin Payne | Texas State | 4th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 138 | Theron Gaines | Tennessee Tech | 4th | 5'11" | 242 |
| 139 | Kyle Taylor | Arkansas State | 5th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 140 | Christian Pierce | Western Illinois | 4th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 141 | Travis Arena | Northern Arizona | 5th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 142 | Nate Rutchena | UC-Davis | 6th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 143 | Malachi Wright | Central Connecticut | 4th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 144 | Aaron Swafford | Tennessee Tech | 6th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 145 | Ty Anderson | ETSU | 4th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 146 | Dontae Lunan | Coastal Carolina | 6th | 5'10" | 215 |
| 147 | Colin Bohanek | Southern Illinois | 6th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 148 | Jayland Parker | Marshall | 5th | 6'1" | 215 |
| 149 | Read Sunn | Eastern Washington | 6th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 150 | Jaydon Southard | Stephen F. Austin | 4th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 151 | Frank Lee IV | Eastern Kentucky | 6th | 6'0" | 234 |
| 152 | Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye | Yale | 5th | 6'1" | 215 |
| 153 | Koby-Sebasyen King | East Texas A&M | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 154 | Terique Miles | Norfolk State | 5th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 155 | Alec Marenco | Wake Forest | 5th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 156 | Tylan Foster | Eastern Illinois | 5th | 5'11" | 225 |
| 157 | Jalil Lenore | Alabama State | 6th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 158 | Mikey Blandin | Newberry | 5th | 6'2" | 220 |
| 159 | Kyree Anderson | East Texas A&M | 5th | 5'11" | 230 |
| 160 | Jamieson Alston | Winston-Salem State | 4th | 5'10" | 225 |
| 161 | Brandon Wong | Northern Arizona | 4th | 6'1" | 210 |
| 162 | Patrick McDonnell | Robert Morris | 4th | 6'0" | 222 |
| 163 | Harold O'Neal III | Hampton | 5th | 6'1" | 215 |
| 164 | Tah Banda | UT-Martin | 6th | 6'1" | 235 |
| 165 | Bryce Ramirez | Texas Tech | 7th | 6'2" | 235 |
| 166 | Boyce Bankhead | Presbyterian | 4th | 6'2" | 220 |
| 167 | Darrian Bell | Savannah State | 6th | 6'0" | 235 |
| 168 | Max U'Ren | NC Central | 5th | 6'2" | 240 |
| 169 | Brandon Perkins | Bryant | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 170 | Gage Timm | UW-River Falls | 4th | 6'1" | 220 |
| 171 | Avery Morris | Duquesne | 6th | 6'2" | 230 |
| 172 | Jaxxon Brashear | Ottawa | 4th | 6'1" | 226 |
| 173 | Khatavian Franks | Eastern Kentucky | 6th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 174 | Geno Facchetti | Franklin Pierce | 4th | 6'1" | 227 |
| 175 | Caleb Brubaker | Grove City | 4th | 6'0" | 210 |
| 176 | William Carter | Delta State | 5th | 6'1" | 230 |
| 177 | Matt Conroy | Shenandoah | 4th | 6'0" | 215 |
| 178 | Kadari Machen | Pennsylvania | 4th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 179 | Matthew Leach | Fayetteville State | 4th | 6'3" | 220 |
| 180 | Carter Glassmyer | Richmond | 4th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 181 | Brandon Hile | Kutztown | 4th | 6'2" | 225 |
| 182 | Chris Calhoun | Elizabeth City State | 8th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 183 | Domonique Davis II | Central State | 5th | 5'11" | 205 |
| 184 | Chris Gales | Albany | 5th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 185 | Tyson Meiguez | Duquesne | 6th | 6'2" | 220 |
| 186 | Marco Scarano | Princeton | 4th | 6'0" | 205 |
| 187 | Keenan Tyler | Wartburg | 4th | 6'1" | 220 |
| 188 | Tel Arthur | Montana Tech | 4th | 6'1" | 225 |
| 189 | Demarcious Robinson | North Alabama | 4th | 5'10" | 210 |
| 190 | Jonathon Brown | MidAmerica Nazarene | 4th | 5'11" | 220 |
| 191 | John Argo | Grand View | 4th | 6'0" | 220 |
| 192 | Clarke Hamilton | Siena Heights | 5th | 5'11" | 200 |
| 193 | JR Flood | Drake | 4th | 6'1" | 220 |
| 194 | Clark Griffin | Harding | 4th | 5'9" | 195 |
| 195 | Jesse Ruisch | Susquehanna | 4th | 6'2" | 210 |
| 196 | Daniel Eliasek | Randolph-Macon | 5th | 5'11" | 215 |
| 197 | TJ Scannell | Trinity (TX) | 4th | 5'11" | 210 |
| 198 | Tighe Cummiskey | Lafayette | 4th | 6'0" | 225 |
| 199 | Kosuke Hara | Waseda (JP) | - | - | - |
| X | Ernest Hausmann | Michigan | 4th | 6'2" | 235 |
| X | Jason Henderson | Old Dominion | 5th | 6'1" | 235 |
MORE NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
Traits That Make a Linebacker 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.
2026 LB Draft Prospects FAQs
Who is the best LB in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Sonny Styles of Ohio State is the heavy favorite to be the first true linebacker selected in the 2026 NFL Draft due to his elite combination of size, speed, production, and pedigree.
Arvell Reese would be the top linebacker for most people, although many consider him an edge rusher instead.
How good is the linebacker draft class in 2026?
The 2026 linebacker class looks significantly stronger than the past two seasons. Led by a talented group of versatile defenders who can play multiple positions, this is the first linebacker class in several years where there are several players in play in the top 50 picks.
