The 2025 linebacker class lacks depth but offers intriguing versatility at the top, headlined by Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell and Georgia’s Jalon Walker—two prospects capable of reshaping modern NFL defenses. From sideline-to-sideline thumpers to edge hybrids, here’s how the top 10 stack up based on film, stats, and scouting insights.
1. Jihaad Campbell (Alabama)
Campbell’s 6’3”, 244-pound frame and 4.55 speed make him the draft’s most complete linebacker. His 108 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2024 showcased three-down potential, while his combine performance (top-tier agility drills) silenced doubts about lateral quickness. “He’s a bigger, faster version of Roquan Smith,” an NFC scout told The Athletic. Alabama’s creative use of him as a blitzer and coverage piece against tight ends (allowed 6.2 yards per target) cements his top-20 status.
2. Jalon Walker (Georgia)
Walker’s self-proclaimed “HLB” (hybrid linebacker) role at Georgia saw him log 300+ snaps as both an edge rusher and off-ball defender. His 4.50 speed and violent hands (12 QB pressures in 2024) project him as a sub-package weapon. “He’s Micah Parsons Lite—just needs better play recognition,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid noted. Concerns about his hesitation in zone coverage could push him to the late first round.
3. Carson Schwesinger (UCLA)
Schwesinger’s 90 solo tackles (first-team All-American) highlighted elite instincts and underrated athleticism. The former walk-on’s 6’2”, 235-pound build and 4.58 speed make him a prototype Mike linebacker. “He’s the best processor in this class—always two steps ahead,” Yahoo’s Nate Tice said. UCLA’s reliance on his communication in Cover 3 schemes (zero blown assignments in 2024) boosts his Day 2 stock.
4. Danny Stutsman (Oklahoma)
Stutsman’s 6’3”, 233-pound frame and 4.52 speed defied pre-combine skepticism. His 125 tackles and nine pass breakups in 2024 reflect rare coverage awareness for a traditional thumper. “He’s a poor man’s Luke Kuechly,” a Big 12 coach told NFL.com. Overaggressive angles (11 missed tackles) could limit him to early Day 3, but his leadership makes him a locker-room favorite.
5. Demetrius Knight Jr. (South Carolina)
Knight’s maturity (24 years old) and sound tackling (6.3% missed rate) offset concerns about his age. The 6’1”, 238-pound linebacker thrives in zone coverage, allowing a 78.3 passer rating on throws into his area. “He’s the most pro-ready guy outside the top three,” CBS’s Chris Trapasso said. Limited pass-rush upside could cap his draft slot at Round 3.
6. Chris Paul Jr. (Mississippi)
Paul’s 6’0”, 230-pound build and 4.49 speed make him a Will linebacker candidate. His 15 tackles for loss in 2024 showcased burst, though inconsistent hand usage (two sacks) hints at development needs. “He’s a special teams ace who could grow into a starter,” a Saints scout told The Athletic.
7. Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon)
Bassa’s 6’2”, 225-pound frame and 4.53 speed cater to Cover 2 schemes. His five interceptions since 2023 highlight ball-hawking instincts rare for the position. “He’s Kam Chancellor in a linebacker’s body,” a Pac-12 coordinator told Yahoo Sports. A lack of thump against power runs (3.8 yards after contact allowed) might relegate him to nickel packages.
8. Smael Mondon Jr. (Georgia)
Mondon’s 6’2”, 224-pound frame and 4.58 speed scream developmental upside. His 57 tackles and three sacks in 2024 came despite sharing snaps in Georgia’s deep rotation. “He’s a better version of Channing Tindall,” an SEC East scout said. A limited pass-rush repertoire (two career sacks) makes him a Day 3 project.
9. Cody Lindenberg (Minnesota)
Lindenberg’s 6’3”, 236-pound build and 94 tackles in 2024 earned him a Senior Bowl invite. His 4.72 speed and stiff hips limit coverage range, but his downhill physicality (3.1 yards after contact allowed) suits gap-control schemes. “He’s a two-down thumper with special teams value,” a Vikings staffer noted.
10. Barrett Carter (Clemson)
Carter’s transition from linebacker to edge (five sacks in 2024) muddies his evaluation. At 6’1” and 235 pounds, his 4.62 speed and bend around tackles intrigue 3-4 teams. “He’s a ‘tweener without a true position,” an AFC executive said. A lack of pass-rush polish (12.3% win rate) could push him to Round 5.
The Wildcards
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Trevin Wallace (Kentucky): Freak athlete (4.48 speed) with raw instincts (14 missed tackles in 2024).
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Tyrice Knight (UTEP): Small-school sleeper (135 tackles) with sideline-to-sideline range.
The Verdict
This class lives on upside, with Campbell and Walker offering Pro Bowl potential if developed correctly. As one NFC general manager summarized: “You’re either drafting a chess piece or a placeholder—there’s no middle ground.”
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