2026 Draft: Linebacker

[mayoclinic]

Jelani McDonald frees Hill up to be more aggressive.

 

[mayoclinic]

Seriously, I could be very happy with a Hill-McDonald combo.

 

[mayoclinic]

Generally, I would bring happy with any combination of Sonny Styles, Anthony Hill or Jake Golday at LB, and Jelani McDonald or Zakee Wheatley at S.

 

[manxman2601]

Generally, I would bring happy with any combination of Sonny Styles, Anthony Hill or Jack Golday at LB, and Jelani McDonald or Zakee Wheatley at S.

That’s pretty much where I am. I’d add Taaffe and Rodriguez, but they don’t have the NFL athleticism of those guys you mentioned. Great fall back spots if we miss out on those guys or double bubble guys for added depth.

 

[BobDigital]

So i looked at Sonny Styles.

The first thing i want to point out is his coverage, cause it may not get the love it deserves. It is solid. He sticks to his zone in pass defense and rarely freelances. This can be bad and good, but usually you are better off not freelancing unless you know you can make a play. When put in man on a guy he sticks to them very well. Will he be able to do that vs the type of TEs/RBs he'll see in the NFL? IDK, but it gives me hope he can.

The thing i really have come to appreciate about Styles is he is never out of his spot. He's will not be wrong. For good and bad he is robotic. That means you have to make him wrong. The only time he was out of his spot i saw is when a big guard forced him out of his gap in the run game. I do have a concern about his improvisation ability. Can you see the play to make and go rogue, call your own number and make the huge play? IDK.

His tackling is REALLY good. A little high, but that isn't bad. He doesn't try to knock you back with an spear hit, he gets his arms around you. He may not stop you cold, but he will stop you even if his position lets you fall forward a yard. And at times when it looks like a guy may get away, it doesn't matter. He has already slowed you down so much help is there. Even what might be argued to be his 'missed tackles' are dead plays in waiting. Not all missed tackles are equal, i think that is forgotten at times. And i saw a stat he had no missed tackles up to a point this year, I'd believe that.

He can rush from the edge a bit, but it isn't like Hightower or anything. It isn't much of a plus to his game in that he can be an effective pass rusher, but if put on the edge he seems to always hold contain, which is important and undervalued a bit.

So overall, very robotic in his approach which is mostly very good. Extremely reliable in what he will do. Will do his job well, but I'm not seeing him creating plays of his own when they aren't on the play sheet. This is the one of only 2 negatives against him. The other is he will let up on plays that aren't particularly close to him even when they are still ongoing. For instance, if he's in the middle of the field and a WR catches a ball on the sideline with defenders going in to very likely make the play he will jog over instead of haul ass. He assumes the play will be made. Usually it is, but at times i noticed if he rushed he wouldn't have allowed extra yards he didn't have to. He is almost too controlled out there.

So where do i rank him? top 48. He is too good and consistent not to be ranked at least that high. But when i watch him he lacks a little of that 'It' factor for me. He lets the game come to him more than takes hold of it a little too much at times. Which you usually should do... but not always.

 

[manxman2601]

Anthony Hill getting a sack off the edge.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

Not much left to be said about Reese. Best LB prospect since Lawrence Taylor.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[manxman2601]

Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo 6-1, 240lbs
A really interesting late day 3/UDFA prospect who would be depth/special teams/PS initially but may have long-term possibilities.
Go with me on this one. You all remember Shaun Dolac from last year right? Well Murdock is his replacemet at Buffalo as LB1. Also, yesterday I pointed out that Jacob Rodriguez had the 2nd most career forced fumbles in CFB. Well Murdock is first.

Murdock - 16 (6 in '24, 6 in '25)
Rodriguez - 12 (3 in '24, 7 in '25)

Comparing Murdock's '25 grades to last year's Dolac.

Murdock

Def - 91.7
Rdef - 92.3
Tack - 83.7 (10 missed tackles although 4 came in the 1st game)
Pass rush - 77.2 (15 pressures, 5 sacks)
Coverage - 87.3


Dolac

Def - 91.9
Rdef - 90.3
Tack - 91.5 (8 missed tackles)
Pass rush - 84.2 (16 pressures, 5 sacks)
Coverage - 92.6

Very very similar with a slight edge to Dolac. Dolac tested very well athletically and I don't know how Murdock compares but Murdock's comparisons to both Rodriguez and Dolac make me very intrigued.

I always like finding these types of prospects.

 

[manxman2601]

From '24

 

[manxman2601]

Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo 6-1, 240lbs
A really interesting late day 3/UDFA prospect who would be depth/special teams/PS initially but may have long-term possibilities.
Go with me on this one. You all remember Shaun Dolac from last year right? Well Murdock is his replacemet at Buffalo as LB1. Also, yesterday I pointed out that Jacob Rodriguez had the 2nd most career forced fumbles in CFB. Well Murdock is first.

Murdock - 16 (6 in '24, 6 in '25)
Rodriguez - 12 (3 in '24, 7 in '25)

Comparing Murdock's '25 grades to last year's Dolac.

Murdock

Def - 91.7
Rdef - 92.3
Tack - 83.7 (10 missed tackles although 4 came in the 1st game)
Pass rush - 77.2 (15 pressures, 5 sacks)
Coverage - 87.3


Dolac

Def - 91.9
Rdef - 90.3
Tack - 91.5 (8 missed tackles)
Pass rush - 84.2 (16 pressures, 5 sacks)
Coverage - 92.6

Very very similar with a slight edge to Dolac. Dolac tested very well athletically and I don't know how Murdock compares but Murdock's comparisons to both Rodriguez and Dolac make me very intrigued.

I always like finding these types of prospects.

No 2 on the list

 

[manxman2601]

Dane Brugler on Jacob Rodriguez

"He's really mastered that 'peanut punch' technique. It's awesome to watch."

"As a prospect he's pretty average from a size/speed perspective but the toughness he plays with around the football is awesome"

 

[mayoclinic]

Arvell Reese will apparently be #1 on Dane Brugler's top-50 big board, to be released next week:

“It would be very disingenuous for me to put anyone else at No. 1 besides Arvell Reese because the tape is that good and every week I kind of rave about him… I would be lying if I put anybody else at No. 1.”

Redirect Notice

 

[manxman2601]

Arvell Reese will apparently be #1 on Dane Brugler's top-50 big board, to be released next week:

Redirect Notice

There are a few people saying he's the best player in the draft.

 

[mayoclinic]

Butkus award semifinalists named:

Cincinnati Bearcats Football Star Named National Award Semifinalist

Cincinnati's top tackler this season.

www.si.com

 

[manxman2601]

Butkus award semifinalists named:

Cincinnati Bearcats Football Star Named National Award Semifinalist

Cincinnati's top tackler this season.

www.si.com

Red Murdock is the only small school guy on that list. Pretty lofty company for him.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

I'm watching the Northwestern/USC game ad the colour guy ranked his top 5 Heisman favourites. Jacob Rodriguez was no 5 on the list. I've seen people comparing his season to Mant'i Teo's final year.

 

[Clonamery]

I'm watching the Northwestern/USC game ad the colour guy ranked his top 5 Heisman favourites. Jacob Rodriguez was no 5 on the list. I've seen people comparing his season to Mant'i Teo's final year.

His Combine will be interesting.