The 2025 linebacker class contains multiple archetypes but lacks many do-it-all talents. While Jihaad Campbell is the headliner of a group with more question marks than answers, the rest of our 2025 NFL Draft LB Rankings are filled out with exciting role players at the professional level.
10) Smael Mondon, Georgia
Smael Mondon is an intelligent and experienced linebacker with 212 total tackles over four seasons as a starter for the Bulldogs. Standing at 6’3” and 235 pounds, he combines stellar athleticism with reliable coverage skills, making him a versatile asset for NFL teams.
Although he missed time in 2024 due to a foot injury, which may impact his draft stock, Mondon’s ability to stay tight in coverage and disrupt routes will intrigue NFL teams.
Demonstrating that he is a strong tackler with the speed and range to pursue rushers, the Georgia linebacker has the skill set that makes him adaptable to a variety of defensive schemes at the next level.
9) Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Danny Stutsman has the physical profile, flashy movement skills, and size to be an every-down linebacker. However, he does need some development. At 6’3” and 233 pounds, the Oklahoma Sooners’ defender has a snappy change of direction and driving straight speed while also having the size to be proficient against the run and in coverage.
However, Stutsman needs to develop his intelligence moving to the next level. He often gets found wanting in the run game, where he doesn’t correctly anticipate risers, while his eyes can also get bought in coverage.
8) Cody Simon, Ohio State
Cody Simon had a productive final season with 112 tackles and seven sacks. He is a player who can read and react quickly to plays around the line of scrimmage, as well as showing the ability to get downhill and get stops in the run game.
Simon is not a violent downhill defender but is savvy and can maneuver his way through traffic to make plays while being a consistent tackler who plays under control and finishes opportunities.
He is also an elite blitzer who has shown the ability to impact the pocket consistently. Simon also changes direction well in space and has above-average straight-line speed. He can be effective when dropping back into coverage but could be better in man-to-man coverage.
7) Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Jack Kiser is an outstanding coverage linebacker with rare instincts when dropping into coverage. Consistently shows the ability to take away open angles. Zone drops are elite. Has a strong feel for spacing and route development while in zone. Has the ability to cover running backs at a high level in 1-on-1 situations.
Kiser possesses excellent closing speed and great on-ball skills to prevent passes from being completed. A savvy downhill LB who doesn’t get downhill with much force but is still able to shed blocks and make plays. Is a good on-field athlete but hasn’t shown the ability to cover sideline to sideline. An effective blitzer who finds creative ways to get pressure on the quarterback.
Elite open-field tackler who takes great angles to the ball and knows how to finish plays. Kiser has an outstanding 4.6% career missed tackle rate.
6) Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Jeffrey Bassa is a strong coverage linebacker who proactively uses his athleticism to make plays on the ball. The Oregon Ducks’ defender can match up in man or zone, where his ball skills as a former defensive back shine through.
MORE: Which Teams Have the Most Draft Picks in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Measuring in at 6’1” and 232 pounds, Bassa offers strong developmental traits in the NFL. His explosive movement allows him to avoid blocks and provide sideline-to-sideline range. Against the run, the Ducks linebacker can read and react, although he needs to rein in his enthusiasm to get to the ball by remaining patient, which would allow him to pursue rushers more consistently.
5) Barrett Carter, Clemson
Barrett Carter has been in the NFL Draft scope for a long time — ever since he amassed 73 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, and 8 pass breakups as a true sophomore in 2022. A former five-star recruit, Carter never quite took the leap toward becoming a first-round prospect, but he remains a compelling player with an exciting pro projection in the right role.
At 6’0″, 230 pounds, with average length, size could be an issue for Carter, both with engaging blocks and reading past linemen to ID gaps in run defense. That said, Carter is an explosive, dynamic athlete with great downhill speed, and his bend lends well both as a blitzer and a coverage chess piece. Ideally a WILL linebacker at the NFL level, Carter could grow to become a solid starter.
4) Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
Chris Paul is a versatile linebacker with the speed and instincts to impact all phases of the game. At 6’1”, 235 pounds, he combines sideline-to-sideline range with exceptional tackling and strong hand usage. His natural feel for spacing helps him disrupt passing lanes, while his precise angles and sure tackling make him a reliable defender in pursuit.
The biggest hang-up with Paul is his arm length. With sub-30″ arms, he’s an outlier at the LB position, and there’s reason to project difficulty deconstructing blocks with his length deficiency. That said, Paul makes up for it on tape with his outstanding range, instincts, and finishing ability at contact. He could ultimately be the outlier who beats the odds and becomes a solid starter at MIKE or WILL.
3) Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
Demetrius Knight Jr. is a seasoned linebacker with a robust frame and notable arm length, bringing extensive experience from tenures at Georgia Tech, Charlotte, and South Carolina. His adeptness in reading plays allows him to position himself effectively, while his strength and hand technique enable him to shed blockers and disrupt offensive schemes.
Knight’s versatility is evident in his ability to contribute both in coverage and as a blitzer, showcasing a well-rounded skill set. However, concerns regarding his age and agility may impact his draft stock.
Overall, Knight’s maturity, football intelligence, and physicality make him a compelling prospect for teams seeking a dependable linebacker, and his explosiveness testing showcases the dynamic downhill flair he provides on top of everything else.
2) Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Carson Schwesinger is a do-it-all linebacker. The natural athlete competes with high-end speed, twitchy movement, and instinctual awareness that has the potential to impact every down. The UCLA Bruins’ prospect closes windows in coverage with this sticky route mirroring while also having the active foot speed and anticipation to close in on the ball in zone.
Furthermore, Schewesinger is developing as a blitzer where he has showcased the ability to create dominant pressure. The 6’2”, 242-pound linebacker plays in a hurry, which also allows him to quickly chase down runners.
1) Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
- Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles
- 31st overall selection (via trade)
- First linebacker selected
Jihaad Campbell was made in a lab. At 6’3” and 244 pounds, the Alabama Crimson Tide’s defender has the size, athleticism, and physicality to play different roles on defense. His instincts in zone coverage anticipate a quarterback’s movement, and he can jump routes to stem receivers’ route progress.
Furthermore, Campbell is an excellent pass rusher. In Tuscaloosa, he had 12 TFLs and 5.5 sacks in 2024 and displayed a deep bag of pass-rushing tricks.
KEEP READING: Most NFL Draft Picks by School
This means that he will be a three-down linebacker in the NFL, which will allow defensive coordinators to be creative. He can align all over the field and will need to be accounted for on every play.
Campbell’s overall skill set makes him one of the top overall players in the 2025 NFL Draft, with the Alabama linebacker expected to come off the board in the first 20 selections.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
