1. Trotter Jr, Jeremiah*
Clemson 6000, 230
Two year starter, Hainesport, NJ. Second team All-ACC and second team All-America in 2022. Trotter is an instinctive and versatile inside linebacker prospect who fits what NFL teams look for in an off-the-ball linebacker. Outstanding agility his strengths are playing in space and coverage. He shows extreme quickness getting to the perimeter on outside runs and has outstanding range in pursuit. Gets to tackles across the field that most can’t get to. Has excellent change of direction and stop-start quickness. He avoids blocks in pursuit and flashes hand usage on the move. In coverage he gets solid depth in zone drops, balances multiple receivers on high/low routes. Quick to plant and drive with the ball in the air and creates problems for quarterbacks with his ability to close off throwing lanes. He can match most backs out of the backfield and take a tight end up the field. Mirror ability in man coverage is very good. Not the most physical take on guy and hand usage is suspect. He can give ground on plays at him. Will need to develop better stack and shed ability. May need the right scheme but skill set will fit.
2. Carter, Barrett*
Clemson 6010 225
Two year starter, Suwanee, GA. Consensus first team All-ACC in 2022. Instinctive linebacker with extreme quickness in read and react. Plays with high energy and a non-stop motor. He’s sudden to change directions and shows sideline to sideline range in pursuit. Consistently out runs or rips through block attempts chasing to the perimeter. On inside reads is disciplined to fit inside gaps and is quick getting downhill. He can explode through an open window to make plays in the backfield. Quick at the snap as a blitzer, he’s adept at avoiding blocks and chasing in the backfield. Consistently adjusts path to quarterback’s movement. Normally gathers and squares up tackles with an explosive strike, wrap and drive. Outstanding in coverage with vision to see and balance multiple threats. Sudden to break with the ball in the air he closes throwing lanes creating issues for quarterback reads. Has the ability to mirror a shifty back and the speed to take an inside receiver up the field. Has some trouble with straight up blocks inline. He will take a bad angle at times and miss a tackle by leaving his feet and going too low. Elite prospect.
3. Gray, Cedric
North Carolina 6017 230
Three year starter, Charlotte, NC. Solid length and size for a linebacker. Has played Mike at North Carolina but listed as a Will this season. He’s been the leader of the defense. An aggressive, instinctive player working in-line with excellent inside run fits. Quick with read and react there is no wasted movement when he sees it. He plays downhill and is adept at taking open windows in blocking schemes. Strong at the point of attack he has the ability to separate from and shed straight up or angle blocks. Plays with outstanding leverage and knee bend and can square up in the hole using quick hands to come off a block and make a play. He also slips blocks in pursuit without losing angle to the ball. Squares up, wraps and drives through tackles both in-line and in the alley. Shows blitz skill anticipating snap and getting through an inside gap. Solid zone defender with depth in his drop and vision to see multiple threats. Finds the throwing lane consistently. Has ability to match backs on flat and wheel routes in man cover. Shows occasional hesitation in coverage at times and depth of drop suffers.
4. Eichenberg, Tommy
Ohio State 6022 236
Two year starter, Cleveland, OH. First team All-Big 10 and consensus second team All-America in 2022. Ideal size for the position he displays athleticism, a high motor and a physical presence. He’s instinctive and quick with read and react. Consistently locates the ball and gets downhill in a hurry. He can beat a block to the point of attack. Has sideline to sideline range with consistent angles to the ball. Adept at working laterally and squaring up ball carriers in the alley. Strong hands he takes on blocks aggressively with powerful knee bend. Quick to separate and shed on the move he shows a sense of urgency to get to the ball. Powerful tackler he gathers to balance quickly and drives through tackles. Used more often to blitz than cover he’s quick anticipating an inside gap and is aggressive getting up field. Solid to chase scrambling quarterbacks. Flashes cover skill in zone schemes. Shows a burst breaking with the ball in the air and receivers need to be aware of his presence. He normally makes the right reads but occasionally gets on the wrong side of a block. Has three down potential.
5. Jacobs, Curtis
Penn State 6017 235
Three year starter, Glen Burnie, MD. Honorable mention All-Big 10 in 2021 and 2023. Listed as a Sam in the Penn State defense Jacobs aligns in multiple spots based on formation. He is used as an overhang player, on the ball and stack linebacker. He has improved greatly in his three seasons and shows flashes of being an every down NFL Will linebacker. Shows short area agility and has the speed to chase across the field in pursuit. Plays with leverage and knee bend and shows improving inside run fits. Flashes hand usage to separate from blocks. Shows suddenness taking an open window and can make plays in the backfield. Solid blitz skill both inside and off the edge with snap quickness to get in the backfield and chase down a quarterback. He’s a secure tackler and is consistent in space. In coverage he shows awareness to balance multiple threats and range to close throwing lanes. Solid to match backs out of the backfield and can take an inside receiver up the seam. Needs consistency in hand usage as he can be slow to shoot hands. Can easily be washed out by a powerful blocker.
6. Hopper, Ty’Ron
Missouri 6020 221
7. Colson, Junior*
Michigan 6030 237
8. Ford, Jaylan
Texas 6023 232
9. Cooper, Edgerrin*
Texas A&M 6030 230
10. Njongmeta, Maema
Wisconsin 5117 238
11. Mondon Jr, Smael
Georgia 6030 225
12. Muasau, Darius
UCLA 6010 230
13. Dumas-Johnson, Jamon
Georgia 6010 245
14. Stutsman, Danny*
Oklahoma 6040 241
15. Bywater, Ben
BYU 6024 232
16. Coleman, Khari
Mississippi 6012 213
17. Liufau, Marist
Notre Dame 6020 226
18. Higgins, Jay
Iowa 6020 233
19. Gibbs, Easton
Wyoming 6003 232
20. Wilson, Payton
North Carolina State 6041 238
21. Bertrand, JD
Notre Dame 6010 230
22. Ulofoshio, Edefuan
Washington 6003 238
23. Speights, Omar
LSU 6001 239
24. Mauigoa, Francisco*
Miami 6030 230
25. Magee, Jordan
Temple 6030 220
26. Casey, Aaron
Indiana 6006 231
27. Marshall, Trezmen
Alabama, 6000 232
28. Mitchell, Jackson
Connecticut, 6016
29. Gant, Dallas
Toledo 6036 230
30. Cobb, Mason
USC 6000 230 231
31. Chambers, Steele
Ohio State, 6007 222
32. Barrett, Michael
Michigan, 5112, 238
*Denotes underclassmen