INSIDE LINEBACKERS
With Clemson standout Barrett Carter opting to go back to school for 2024, NC State’s Payton Wilson earns the top overall grade in this year’s ILB class… and he is the only first round talent in our eyes… not the best year for off-ball linebackers.
1. Payton Wilson, NC State University
David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
+ Incredible mover with ability to easily run sideline-to-sideline in the NFL.
+ Explosive pop in the phone booth and ability to jolt away from blockers in space.
+ Has efficient combination of lateral quickness and eye discipline.
+ Size and length in arms, strength in legs, drive and grit in play style.
+ Rarely ever misses in space.
- Injury history of multiple leg/shoulder surgeries raises concern about durability.
- Could improve as an overall coverage linebacker, especially when dealing with mesh combinations.
2. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson University
+ Quick reader who is a downhill player and instinctive hitter.
+ Nice flow to the ball allows Trotter to always find himself near the play.
+ Leverage player who understands angles.
+ Gritty player who has proven toughness and leader attitude.
- Lack of overall height (6-0) may make him a susceptible target for pulling guards.
- Needs a long runway to build speed.
- Not elite in pass coverage by any means.
3. Cedric Gray, University of North Carolina
Ainsley Fauth, UNC Athletics
+ Good feel in pass coverage, turns hips frequently.
+ Has rabid instincts when approaching the ball carrier; takes no prisoners.
+ Hard to peel off from, acting as an anchor on ball carriers.
+ Is shaky enough to avoid second-level efforts from offensive linemen.
+ Good effort player.
- Probably the worst man coverage defender on this list.
- Can, at times, rely too heavily on athleticism.
4. Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M University
Sherry Milliken Photo
+ Necessary height, length, and speed to convert into an elite linebacker in the NFL.
+ Great in coverage and has feel for routes.
+ Has good leg drive despite size (230lbs).
+ Not an arm tackler.
+ Consistent play style (why is that so rare for linebackers?).
- Frame of 6-3, 230 is workable, but nonetheless concerning.
- Not an arm tackler, but a shoulder tackler, sometimes enabling him to go for the big hit rather than the safe one.
- Finds it hard to play with leverage given frame.
5. Trevin Wallace, University of Kentucky
247Sports
+ Upper-echelon athlete with inordinate movement ability.
+ Best pass-covering linebacker in this class, can easily hang with slot receivers.
+ Raw strength and pop provide potential as a blitzer.
+ Good with angles and in space, never over running the play.
+ Plays well in big games.
- A bit too hesitant when presented with obvious run reads.
- Needs work with block shedding.
6. JD Bertrand, Notre Dame University
+ Good pursuit linebacker.
+ Elite agility and movement skills allow him to slip by offensive linemen.
+ Fastest linebacker in this class. Can and will hang with any tight-end.
+ Sideline-to-sideline ability.
- Sometimes so quick that he overruns the play and takes himself out of it.
- Not the best instinctual linebacker.
- Perhaps a bit too small at 6-1, 230.
7. Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State University
Buckeye Huddle
+ Has good feel for his zone despite not being the best overall pass-defender — presents potential.
+ A downhill presence that can thump ball carriers in the flat.
+ Is never completely out of the play.
+ Can shrink his frame.
- An overall slow player who is not fast straight or lateral.
- May be regulated to short down and distance only because of speed, yet short arms raise concerns about block shedding.
8. Trezmen Marshall, University of Alabama
247Sports
+ Good strider in open field, compensates for lack of overall top speed.
+ Is football fast and plays with intelligence.
+ Good at taking on blocks in the open fields.
- Can get tangled up and out of control when out of his lane.
- Lack of overall playing time.
9. Jaylan Ford, University of Texas
Texas Athletics
+ Good, firm tackler who can finish in space. A true and blue run defender.
+ Has good blitz ability and bend when rushing from C-gap.
+ High energy player and overall leader.
- Not an effective coverage defender, limiting him to only run-down situations.
- Speed may be a concern.
10. Nate Watson, Mississippi State University
Mississippi State Athletics
+ Elite blitzer who may profile better as a 4-3 OLB.
+ Very experienced player with intelligence to prove it.
+ Good with sticking and shedding blocks.
- As sharp as a bowling ball in coverage.
- Lack of overall speed hurts potential.