2025 NFL Draft: Top 50 Linebackers
A look at the updated NFL Draft LB Big Board courtesy of NFL Draft Bible.
Welcome to the February 21, 2025 edition of the All Access Football Newsletter, Presented By Sports Management Worldwide Football Career Conference.
One Week From Today! The SMWW Football Career Conference, featuring NFL personnel, executives, scouts, coaches, agents, media and more … A few spots remain, save $150 with our friends and family discount code: BALDY150
2025 NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD: LINEBACKERS
There are a few potential first round players amongst this year’s linebacker class capable of stepping in and providing an immediate impact. Beyond that, much of how the linebacker board plays out will be predicated around team needs and desires.
We have big, tall, lean, undersized, situational pass-rushers, others who excel in pass coverage, there’s an assortment to choose from, including classic, old-school thumpers as well.
Our top off-ball linebacker prospect would be Jalon Walker of Georgia. Some view Walker as a pass-rusher at the next level and understandably so. It’s a role he has previously played for the Bulldogs and he would seem to demonstrate adequate enough athleticism to play the position. However, there will be many teams who prefer him at the off-ball linebacker spot due to his instincts and ability to cover a ton of ground.
Few players were able to elevate their draft profile the way Jihaad Campbell of Alabama did this past season. He exploded with 112 tackles this, nearly doubling his career total entering the year, while adding 12 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception. He was everywhere for the Crimson Tide defense, which is why he has now entered into the Day 1 equation.
A few players who caught our eye along the scouting trails that are sure to bring vast value on Day 3 include Nebraska linebacker MJ Sherman who began at Georgia and flashed superb athleticism at the Tropical Bowl. In addition, Power Echols of North Carolina who appeared to be the best of the bunch at the Hula Bowl, as he always shows up to the ball, along with Chandler Martin of Memphis who was a top performer at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
BALDY’S BREAKDOWN SCOUTING SEMINAR #1 — SCOUTING THE CFB PLAYOFF
KEY: HPFA = High Priority Free Agent || PFA = Priority Free Agent || FA = Free Agent
RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | HAND | ARM | WING | PROJ
Jalon Walker, Georgia, Jr, 6022, 245, 4.56e, Rd1*
Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, Jr, 6032, 244, 4.52, Rd1*
Cody Simon, Ohio State, rSr, 6020, 238, 4.52, Rd2
Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi, Jr, 6007, 224, 4.75e, 0928, 3018, 7538, Rd2*
Jack Kiser, Notre Dame, rSr, 6013, 227, 4.60e, 0918, 3048, 7538, Rd2
Teddye Buchanan, California, Sr, 6017, 236, 4.66e, 0948, 3138, 7438, Rd2
Eugene Asante, Auburn, rSr, 6002, 222, 4.55e, 0848, 3000, 7248, Rd2
Kobe King, Penn State, rJr, 6006, 240, 4.69, Rd3*
Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, rJr, 6016, 225, 4.71, Rd3*
Shemar James, Florida, Jr, 6013, 226, 4.62e, 0868, 3218, 7600, Rd3
Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State, Sr, 6017, 242, 4.64e, 0968, 3118, 7568, Rd4
Barrett Carter, Clemson, Sr, 5117, 233, 4.45, Rd4
Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia, Sr, 6023, 229, 4.55e, 0958, 3258, 7928, Rd4
Jalen McLeod, Auburn, Sr, 6014, 247, 4.70e, 0948, 3268, 7900, Rd4
Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina, rSr, 6012, 246, 4.62e, 0958, 3328, 8038, Rd5
Francisco Mauigoa, Miami, Sr, 6014, 231, 4.72e, 1000, 3238, 7658, Rd5
Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kentucky, Sr, 6002, 246, 4.70e, 0928, 3200, 7818, Rd5
Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota, rSr, 6021, 239, 4.55e, 0938, 3300, 7748, Rd5
MJ Sherman, Nebraska, rSr, 6015, 247, 4.80e, 0848, 3168, 7648, Rd6
Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon, Sr, 6010, 226, 4.57e, 0958, 3158, 7818, Rd6
Chandler Martin, Memphis, rJr, 5114, 233, 4.71e, 0958, 3158, 7648, Rd6
Power Echols, North Carolina, Sr, 5111, 233, 4.50e, 0938, 3118, 7428, Rd6
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, Sr, 6040, 240, 4.62, Rd6
Nick Martin, Oklahoma State, rJr, 6001, 222, 4.58e, 0958, 3058, 7400, Rd7*
Tyreem Powell, Rutgers, Sr, 6050, 240, 4.62, Rd7
Jacob Dobbs, James Madison, rSr, 5112, 237, 4.65, Rd7
Greg Penn III, LSU, Sr, 6005, 235, 4.58e, 0900, 3118, 7458, Rd7
Karene Reid, Utah, Sr, 6001, 231, 6000, 231, 4.65e, 0918, 3168, 7528, Rd7
Carson Bruener, Washington, rSr, 6007, 223, 4.74e, 0948, 3200, 7700, Rd7
Kain Medrano, UCLA, rSr, 6024, 219, 4.50e, 0878, 3258, 7668, HPFA
Jay Higgins, Iowa, rSr, 5116, 226, 4.80e, 0948, 3100, 7378, HPFA
Jackson Woodard, UNLV, rSr, 6017, 232, 4.70e, 0878, 3100, 7748, HPFA
John Pius, Wisconsin, Sr, 6022, 235, 4.70e, 0878, 3318, 8068, HPFA
Mohamed Toure, Rutgers, rSr, 6010, 233, 4.65, HPFA
Bam Martin Scott, South Carolina, Sr, 6016, 241, 4.74, HPFA
Stone Blanton, Mississippi State, Jr, 6016, 230, 4.75, PFA
Ruben Hyppolite, Maryland, rSr, 5112, 240, 4.72e, 0928, 3178, 7618, PFA
Seth Coleman, Illinois , rSr, 6032, 242, 4.72e, 1000, 3378, 8118, PFA
Chaz Chambliss, Georgia, Sr, 6016, 242, 4.74e, 0948, 3138, 7700, PFA
Marlowe Wax, Syracuse, rSr, 5100, 231, 4.72e, PFA
DeShawn Pace, UCF, rSr, 6010, 208, 4.50e, 0948, 3048, 7348, PFA
Nick Jackson, Iowa, rSr, 6005, 233, 4.78e, 0948, 3138, 7528, PFA
Shaun Dolac, Buffalo, rSr, 6002, 225, 4.73, PFA
Chuck Smith IV, Villanova, rSr, 6012, 261, 4.76e, 0978, 3118, 7600, PFA
Jesiah Pierre, UCF, rSr, 6014, 245, 4.76e, 0938, 3278, 7858, PFA
Branson Combs, Wake Forest, rSr, 6026, 228, 4.73e, 0900, 3118, 7538, FA
Jaheim Thomas, Wisconsin, rSr, 6020, 224, 4.66e, 0928, 3328, 7938, FA
Xander Mueller, Northwestern, rSr, 6021, 233, 4.78e, 0928, 3118, 7418, FA
Dorian Mausi, Auburn, rSr, 6010, 236, 4.75e, 0968, 3268, 8000, FA
Austin Keys, Auburn, rSr, 6016, 234, 4.72e, 0900, 3200, 7668, FA
*AAF Consulting — Combine Meetup: Want to learn more about how AAF Consulting can help? Contact us today to set up a meeting next week: ric@allaccessfootball.com