NFL Draft Preview 2025: Linebackers
April 16, 2025
by Steve Thomas
We’re finally reaching the end of The Hog Sty’s annual slog through our draft preview series. You can find the rest of the position groups on the site, but today, I’m here to talk linebackers. Let’s dive right in.
Jalon Walker, 6’1” / 243, Georgia: Walker played 43 games three seasons at Georgia from 2022 – 2024, and made a total of 89 tackles, including 56 solo and 19 for loss, and 12.5 sacks. In 2024, he played 14 games, and made 60 total tackles, including 37 solo and 11 for loss, and had 6.5 sacks. He won the 2024 Butkus Award for the top linebacker in the country and was named as a All-American and a Second-Team All-SEC selectee. Walker is known as a bit of a hybrid who split time between edge rusher and linebacker. He’s also known as a quality run defender. On the negative side, some view him as undersized for his role as a part-time edge rusher, and can get overpowered by larger linemen. In addition, he only had 11 starts in college and came on as a major national-level talent just this past year. Georgia is known as a school that produces quality linebackers, so he has that going for him, but he may require time to make the adjustment to the NFL.
Draft projection: Round 1
Jihaad Campbell, 6’3” / 235, Alabama: Jihaad played 35 games in three seasons as Alabama, and made 184 tackles, including 88 solo and 16 for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. In 2024, Campbell played 13 games, and made 117 tackles, including 54 solo and 12 for loss, 5 sacks, and 1 interception, and was a First-team All-SEC selection. At the NFL Combine, Campbell ran the 40 yard dash in 4.52 seconds and jumped 10’7” in the standing broad jump. He has prototypical size for an NFL linebacker. Some scouts view him as a 3 – 4 rushing outside linebacker. Like Walker, Campbell didn’t emerge as a national talent until 2024. He’s viewed as athletic and versatile, with an explosive first step, and someone who might be better as a 3 – 4 rush linebacker in the NFL.
Draft projection: Round 1
Carson Schwesinger, 6’2” ½ / 242, UCLA: Schwesinger spent three years at UCLA, and played in 38 games. In that time, he had 163 total tackles, including 109 solo and 12 for loss, 5 sacks, and 2 interceptions. In 2024, he played in 12 games, and had 136 total tackles, including 90 solo and 9 for loss, 4 sacks, and 1 interception, and earned First-Team All-American and First-Team All Big Ten honors. He jump 39.5” in the vertical leap. Schwesinger was originally a walk-on as a freshman at UCLA and was only a starter in 2024. Scouts view him as having fairly average speed, but with good play recognition. He’s viewed either a starter in a 4 – 3 system or as a “Will” linebacker.
Draft projection: Round 2
Demetrius Knight, 6’2” / 235, South Carolina: Knight attended three different schools in his six year collegiate career, including Georgia Tech from 2019 through 2022 and Charlotte in 2023 before transferring to South Carolina for the 2024 season. In total, he played in 61 games, and had 229 total tackles, including 131 solo and 17 for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions. At the NFL Combine, he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.58 seconds and the 20 yard shuttle in 4.22 seconds, jumped 31.5” in the vertical leap and 9’10” in the standing broad jump, and did 22 reps in the bench press. Scouts view Knight as a player who has outstanding football instincts and good straight-line speed for his size. On the negative side, scouts believe that he has fairly limited lateral agility and man coverage ability. He’s viewed as a classic downhill “Mike” linebacker.
Draft projection: Rounds 2 – 3
Smael Mondon Jr., 6’2” / 224, Georgia: Mondon spent four seasons at Georgia, playing in 51 games, with a total of 212 tackles, including 125 solo and 18 for loss, 8 sacks, and 1 interception. In 2024, he played in 10 games, and made 57 total tackles, including 29 solo and 4 for loss, and 3 sacks. He was a starter for three seasons, which makes his experience a plus in the NFL. At the NFL Combine, he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.58 seconds and jumped 10’10” in the standing broad jump. Other than his experience, scouts view him as a plus-level athlete who is good in man coverage and is able to pursue on outside runs. He is slightly undersized for an NFL linebacker, even on the outside. He was hurt by a foot injury in both 2023 and 2024.
Draft projection: Round 3
Barrett Carter, 6’0” / 231, Clemson: Carter played 52 games in four seasons for the University of Georgia, and made a total of 233 tackles, including 126 solo and 33 for loss, 12.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. He was a 3-year starter. In 2024, he played in 14 games, with 82 total tackles, including 42 solo and 11 for loss, and 3.5 sacks, and earned First-Team All-SEC honors. At the NFL Combine, he jumped 34.5” in the vertical leap and 9’8” in the standing broad jump. Some scouts view him as more of an early-down linebacker to start his NFL career; however, others believe he can be a three-down linebacker as a rookie. He is viewed as someone who has good blitzing skills and can be decent in coverage.
Draft projection: Round 4
Danny Stutsman, 6’3” / 233, Oklahoma: Stutsman played in 47 games in four seasons at Oklahoma, and had 376 total tackles, including 184 solo and 37 for loss, 8 sacks, and 3 interceptions. In 2024, he played in 12 games, with 109 total tackles, including 44 solo and 8 for loss, and 1 sack, and earned Consensus All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors. At the NFL Combine, he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.52 seconds and jumped 34” in the vertical leap. Stutsman is viewed as an inside, in-the-box linebacker in the NFL, with good instincts and play recognition but average athleticism. Some scouts believe that he can be over-aggressive at times.
Draft projection: Round 3
Cody Simon, 6’2” / 229, Ohio St.: Simon spent five seasons at Ohio St., playing in 57 games, with 259 total tackles, including 115 solo and 25 for loss, 10 sacks, and 1 interception. In 2024, he played in 15 games, and made 112 total tackles, including 51 solo and 13 for loss, and 7 sacks, and earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors. He is projected to be an inside linebacker in the NFL. Scouts view him as a good tackler and as a player who has three-down potential, but also believe that his short arms could be an issue in the NFL.
Draft projection: Round 5
Chris Paul Jr., 6’1” / 222, Mississippi: Paul played a total of 40 games in four seasons of college football, including three at Arkansas and one at Mississippi, and had 225 total tackles, including 118 solo and 27 for loss, 9.5 sacks, and 1 interception. In 2024 at Mississippi, he played in 12 games and made 88 total tackles, including 50 solo and 11 for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 1 interception, and earned Second-Team All-SEC honors. At the NFL Combine, he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.63 seconds, and jumped 36” in the vertical leap and 9’9” in the standing broad jump. He’s viewed as a weakside linebacker in a 4 – 3 defense in the NFL. He’s a bit smaller than a traditional NFL linebacker and has short arms. Scouts believe he has a good football IQ.
Draft projection: Rounds 4 – 5
Kobe King, 6’1” / 236, Penn St.: King played in 46 games in four seasons for Penn St., with 200 total tackles, including 113 solo and 19 for loss, and 4.5 sacks. In 2024, he played in 16 games, and had 97 total tackles, including 53 solo and 9 for loss, and 3 sacks, and earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. He has good size and is viewed as an in-the-box linebacker with a high football IQ. Scouts view him as a physical player. His ability to pursue outside of the box is a weakness.
Draft projection: Rounds 4 – 5
Jeffrey Bassa, 6’1” / 232, Oregon: Bassa played 55 games in four seasons at Oregon, and made 236 total tackles, including 125 solo and 14 for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. In 2024, he played 14 games, and made 54 total tackles, including 23 solo and 3 for loss, and 1.5 sacks. At the NFL Combine, he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.63 seconds, jumped 38.5” in the vertical leap and 9’10” in the standing broad jump, and did 21 bench press reps. Most see Bassa as a weakside linebacker in the NFL. Scouts think he has some talent in man coverage.
Draft projection: Rounds 4 – 5
Collin Oliver, 6’2” / 240, Oklahoma St.: Oliver played 43 games in four seasons at Oklahoma St., and had 134 total tackles, including 86 solo and 42 for loss, and 23.5 sacks. He missed most of the 2024 season with a foot injury, playing in just 2 games. It is noteworthy that 11.5 of his sacks came in in 2021 freshman year, a feat which he never came close to duplicating again. Scouts view him as a natural edge rusher despite his dropoff in sack totals after 2021. Some believe that his tackling ability is subpar. He has talent, but the fact that he missed most of 2024 will bring questions during the draft.
Draft projection: Round 6
Others:
Eugene Asante, 6’0” ½ / 223, Auburn: Six collegiate seasons, including North Carolina from 2019 to 2021 before transferring to Auburn. Projected in day 3.
Jack Kiser, 6’2” / 231, Notre Dame: Redshirted as a freshman in 2019, but played in five seasons between 2020 and 2024. Projected to go in Rounds 5 – 6.
Nick Martin, 5’11” ½ / 221, Oklahoma St.: Two year starter but missed all but five games of the 2024 season due to injury. Had huge production in 2023, including 140 tackles, with 83 solo. Projected by most as a day 3 draft selection, but some have him as high as round 4.
Jalen McLeod, 6’2” / 241, Auburn: Played three seasons at Appalachian St. from 2020 to 2022 before transferring to Auburn. Seen as a 3 – 4 linebacker. Projected for Rounds 6 – 7.
Kain Medrano, 6’3” / 222, UCLA: Ran a 4.46 40 yard dash at the Combine. Played 6 years at UCLA. Projected for day 3.
Shemar James, 6’1” / 222, Florida: Believed to be a decent athlete. Three seasons at Florida. Projected to be drafted on day 3.
Teddye Buchanan, 6’2” / 233, California: Played four years at the University of California – Davis before transferring to Cal for the 2024 season. Earned First-Team All-ACC honors in 2024. Projected as a day 3 selection.
Jackson Woodard, 6’2” / 234, UNLV: Played for the University of Arkansas from 2020 to 2022 before transferring to UNLV in 2023. Possible nickel linebacker. Projected for Round 7.
Carson Bruener, 6’1” / 227, Washington: His father played in the NFL for 14 seasons with the Steelers and the Texans. Had very good production in college. Projected for Rounds 6 – 7.