Devy 100: Linebacker Prospects

Rob Willette Posted On August 25, 2017

Like many other positions, the definition of linebacker has evolved over the years in the NFL. The two-down, run-stuffing pluggers lack appeal as versatile, space linebackers become highly coveted. The main theme of this list is athleticism, though there is still room for sound and intelligent players who are not premier athletes. We look at a quality crop of young linebackers below.

Troy Dye, Oregon Ducks

A bright spot amidst a bleak season for the Ducks, Troy Dye looked like a star in the making during his true freshman campaign. The California native paced Oregon in tackles with 91 and added six and a half sacks for a defense which was a bit below par, to be kind. Thought by some to be more of a safety at the college level, Dye grew into his linebacker role, yet still possesses the range you’d expect from somebody with the skills to play on the back end. Another year of physical maturation should make Dye one of the Pac 12’s elite defenders.

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Rashaan Evans, Alabama Crimson Tide

Much like many Tide players before him, Rashaan Evans has had to bide his time before he can play heavy snaps. Much like many Tide players before him, Evans should explode with expanded opportunity following another exodus of players to the NFL. A sideline-to-sideline player, Evans is a bit raw yet is incredibly toolsy, and his experience as an edge rusher gives him plus pass rushing skills. He figures to emerge as a star of the Tide defense as they look for replace their departed stalwarts.

Nick DeLuca, North Dakota State Bison

North Dakota State’s status as the alpha dog of FCS football has raised their profile and alerted people to the fact they have a lot of quality NFL prospects. Nick DeLuca is back after suffering a shoulder injury in 2016, though his start to last season was en fuego following a massive 2015 campaign. A talent who does all of the little things right, DeLuca is a legitimate NFL prospect whose name should grow in notoriety leading up to the 2018 draft.

Azeem Victor, Washington Huskies

Another swift and smooth athlete, Washington’s Azeem Victor returns to lead a defense which lost several key contributors yet is still loaded with talent. Versatile enough to play inside or outside, Victor is not your traditional get dirty, shed blockers player in the middle of the Huskies’ defense, but he is an active and rangy linebacker who can close in a heartbeat and play with a controlled violence you like to see in defensive players. Scheme versatile, with a strong motor, and solid athleticism, Victor may be one of the safer players on this list.

Malik Jefferson, Texas Longhorns

A legend in name before he ever stepped on the football field, Jefferson’s game has drawn plenty of positive reviews as the twitched up athlete has played all over the field for the since departed Charlie Strong, a testament to his incredible athleticism and versatility. A bit undersized, Jefferson can get swallowed in the run game, but keep him in space and there’s little he’s not capable of doing. His game seems to always leave you wanting a bit more, but he has been asked to wear many hats for an often overmatched Texas defense. If he can settle into a defined position for Tom Herman’s group, his toolkit could carry him into the first round for 2018.

Josey Jewell, Iowa Hawkeyes

A throwback thumper with the requisite eye black illustrating he means business, Jewell has been one of the nation’s top producers at linebacker. A downhill presence with the clichéd always around the football mentality, he’s an instinctive player with elite on-field intangibles. I’ll be curious how he tests – I am mostly out on linebackers lacking plus athleticism – but I feel he will surprise with his raw athletic tools.

Micah Kiser, Virginia Cavaliers

Toiling in obscurity for a perpetually rebuilding Virginia program, Micah Kiser has had limited opportunities on the big stage yet has been a stat-stuffing machine for the Cavaliers. With 131 tackles and six and a half sacks in 2016, his production standouts, and while he’s often been forced to react to mistakes around him, he should thrive once he gets the opportunity to play defense on the attack. Kiser is more in the mold of traditional middle linebacker, and he is the type of player who can be a reliable IDP presence for a long time.

Tremaine Edwards, Virginia Tech Hokies

One of the nation’s better coverage linebackers, Edwards lacks the name recognition yet flashes a consistently loud game. At an impressive 6’5”, 250 pounds, Edwards has incredible length and uses it to disrupt the game consistently. Game reps may be all which stands between him and a lofty draft status in 2018.

Jerome Baker, Ohio State Buckeyes

A linebacker who moves more like a wide receiver, Baker is sure to appeal to teams who love their backers playing in space and locking down players in the pass game. With elite athleticism comes a lack of ideal bulk, though he is not shy about hitting with authority when tracking down ball-carriers. He may get washed out by mauling blockers at the second level, but keep him clean and he can be an elite playmaker in the front seven.

Vosean Joseph, Florida Gators

A hero in Florida’s big win against LSU in 2016, Joseph took advantage of a depleted Florida depth chart late in the season to emerge as an intriguing playmaker as a true freshman. Physical and fast, Joseph displays excellent closing speed and is no stranger to collisions. With a full season in Randy Shannon’s defense, Joseph could emerge as one of the nation’s best linebackers.

Also considered: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia Bulldogs; LB Jack Cichy, Wisconsin Badgers; LB Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama Crimson Tide; LB Caleb Kelly, Oklahoma Sooners; Tegray Scales, Indiana Hoosiers; Cameron Smith, USC Trojans

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