2027 Draft: Linebackers

[mayoclinic]

NFL Draft expert put Penn State junior Tony Rojas among top 2027 NFL Draft linebacker prospects

Penn State news, notes, and updates for Aug. 3 include a look at Tony Rojas' 2027 NFL Draft outlook, headlines of the day, and more.

www.on3.com

 

[mayoclinic]

Luke Easterling LB rankings:

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/2027-nfl-draft-rankings-linebacker-sammy-brown-chris-cole

 

[mayoclinic]

Mike Renner LB rankings:

Renner's 2027 NFL Draft scouting series: Ranking top 10 linebackers, with Clemson's Sammy Brown leading way

Sammy Brown ticks every box you want to see for the position at a high level

www.cbssports.com

Chris Cole not on his list.

 

[manxman2601]

Mike Renner LB rankings:

Renner's 2027 NFL Draft scouting series: Ranking top 10 linebackers, with Clemson's Sammy Brown leading way

Sammy Brown ticks every box you want to see for the position at a high level

www.cbssports.com

Chris Cole not on his list.

Nor Raylen Wilson, Ben Roberts or Ray Coney.

 

[manxman2601]

Cole Sullivan, Oklahoma (frmly Michigan)
6-4, 230

-Grades weren't great last year but he did have 3 INTs.
-I think he has the build to play all special teams
-Day 3 right now.
-Oklahoma have 3 good linebackers in him, Heinecke and kip Lewis so playing time will be interesting.
-I do like his build.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nor Raylen Wilson, Ben Roberts or Ray Coney.

He at least mentions Coney and Roberts (and Arion Carter) at the bottom under "3 names to watch". No mention of Cole or Wilson at all.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

Devon Jackson, Oregon
6-2, 235

A Freaks List discovery. spoiler alert! I don't think I've seen anyone timed as a 24mph guy. And he's a linebacker!

firstly, he'll be a 5th year senior and the grades are average although he's never had a missed tackle rate over 10%.



But it's the Freaks List that's intriguing.

No. 11: Devon Jackson, Oregon, LB​

This is the fastest linebacker in college football. The Omaha, Nebraska native made 41 tackles for the Ducks in 2025 after making 47 tackles and three TFLs in 2024. Jackson won the 100- and 200-meter state titles in Nebraska, running 10.54 and 21.63. The 6-2, 235-pounder ran a blistering 24 mph on the GPS this offseason, which is the fastest time The Athletic has heard about from a college football player. Jackson also vertical jumped 40 inches and did a back squat of 675 pounds.

Put it this way. In theory you could get him to run downfield in coverage on Nyck Harbor (23.8mph).

 

[mayoclinic]

Put it this way. In theory you could get him to run downfield in coverage on Nyck Harbor (23.8mph).

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is." - Yogi Berra

Only thing is, one guy can't catch. Don't know if second guy can cover, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

[Clonamery]

Devon Jackson, Oregon
6-2, 235

A Freaks List discovery. spoiler alert! I don't think I've seen anyone timed as a 24mph guy. And he's a linebacker!

firstly, he'll be a 5th year senior and the grades are average although he's never had a missed tackle rate over 10%.



But it's the Freaks List that's intriguing.

No. 11: Devon Jackson, Oregon, LB​

This is the fastest linebacker in college football. The Omaha, Nebraska native made 41 tackles for the Ducks in 2025 after making 47 tackles and three TFLs in 2024. Jackson won the 100- and 200-meter state titles in Nebraska, running 10.54 and 21.63. The 6-2, 235-pounder ran a blistering 24 mph on the GPS this offseason, which is the fastest time The Athletic has heard about from a college football player. Jackson also vertical jumped 40 inches and did a back squat of 675 pounds.

Put it this way. In theory you could get him to run downfield in coverage on Nyck Harbor (23.8mph).

5 years at the same school. 2024 was a better production campaign. Started but 2 games in 2025. Spring 2026 injury. A lot to prove besides running fast.

 

[manxman2601]

Chris Peal might be one reason to watch Syracuse this year. Their linebackers might be another.

No. 45: Chris D’Appolonia, Syracuse, LB​

A Freaks Lister last year while at Toledo, where he became a third-team All-MAC selection after making 68 tackles and 3.5 TFLs in 2025, the 6-3, 240-pounder vertical jumped 37 inches (up from 34 1/2 inches last year) and had a top speed of 21.67 mph this offseason. He also bench pressed 375 pounds (up 20 pounds), squatted 565 and cleaned 325.

No. 52: Antoine Deslauriers, Syracuse, LB​

The hulking Canadian burst onto the scene last year when pictures of his eye-popping physique started to go viral on social media. The 6-1, 235-pounder backed up the buzz when he became the first true freshman in Syracuse history to lead the team in tackles with 60. He also had 2.5 TFLs, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Deslauriers bench pressed 390 pounds this offseason, squatted 500, vertical jumped 34 inches and hit 21.48 mph on the GPS. A third Orange linebacker almost made the Freaks List this year: 6-4, 222-pound junior Jamie Tremble, a converted tight end, hit 23 mph on the GPS to go with a 36-inch vert, 330-pound bench and 475-pound squat.

D'Appolonia had an 85.1 coverage grade last year. On further study, D'Appolonia is the only one draft eligible.

 

[manxman2601]

 

[mayoclinic]

Georgia linebacker Chris Cole is ‘coming for it all’ in 2026

Chris Cole has been a fall camp darling for a couple of years now, and he is ready to make a name for himself during the 2026 season. It’s hard not to see why.

dawnofthedawg.com

 

[manxman2601]

Everyone is starting to catch up.

 

[mayoclinic]

You don't say.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[manxman2601]

Tony Rojas in coverage on Kenyon Sadiq

 

[manxman2601]

Cole Sullivan, Ohlahoma (frmly Michigan)
6-4, 230

I've been a little underwhelmed by Sullivan when I've looked at him in the past, partly because of his grades but also because he's a true junior who hasn't had a full season of snaps yet. He had 331 last season. So I have my doubts as to whether he declares.

Grades

Coverage - 46.1
Run Defense - 69.2 (14.9% missed tackle rate).

Having said all that, Ian Cummings ranks him as LB5 and says he has "early round potential" and that he has "impact starter upside as a scheme-diverse WILL" so he's a name worth keeping in mind.

Check out Cummings' in depth scouting report below

Cole Sullivan - LB, Oklahoma | 2027 NFL Draft Profile

Cole Sullivan LB prospect profile from Oklahoma. Scouting report, stats, traits, draft stock, and more for the 2027 NFL Draft.

www.profootballnetwork.com

 

[manxman2601]

Cole Sullivan Part 2

Also, his tape is impressive.

 

[manxman2601]

In the last two drafts, only 11 OTB linebackers have been taken in the top 100. In the last three, the number rises to 15. So if you assume 4-5 go in the top 100 next year, you're looking at:

Sammy Brown
KVA
Chris Cole

and then one or two more.

There's certainly an opportunity for value to be had in the 3rd or 4th round.