The 2025 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here is the 2026 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Linebackers.
Allen was a four-star recruit in the class of 2023 who decided to stay in-state to play for Georgia. He started five games as a freshman, which helped him total 41 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. His play aided Georgia in winning 13 games. In 2024, Allen upped his game with 76 total tackles, three tackles for loss and four passes defended. He led the team to 11 wins and the College Football Playoff.
At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, he is short, but has a good frame. He is a good athlete, but he also has good instincts, as he can read plays quickly. This helps him in run support. Allen is limited as a pass rusher and can improve his coverage to continue to get better. He could be selected early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
As a five-star prospect in the class of 2023, Hill stayed in-state to play for Texas. He had an immediate impact, as he had 67 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks in 2023. He helped Texas win 12 games in 2023. For the 2024 season, Hill registered 113 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He led the team to 13 wins and to a CFP appearance.
Hill has good size for an NFL linebacker at 6-foot-3 and 237 pounds. He has good athleticism and versatility, as he lines up all over the field for Texas. Hill diagnoses plays quickly and also has potential as a pass rusher. He tends to overpursue and can shed quicker. Hill also can show more potential in man coverage.
Lawson was a five-star recruit in the class of 2021 who stayed in the state of Alabama to play for the Crimson Tide. He redshirted in 2021, then started four games in 2022. Lawson was more of a full-time starter in 2023, delivering 67 total tackles, six tackles for loss and three sacks. Alabama won 12 games that season. In 2024, Lawson racked up 76 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks. He led the team to a nine-win season.
He has solid size at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, which gives his solid play strength. Lawson is a good athlete who plays downhill. He is a good blitzer and has nice instincts. He can improve his block shedding and his coverage. Lawson could’ve gone in the 2025 NFL Draft, but now can improve his stock this season.
As a five-star prospect in the class of 2023, Perkins stayed in the state of Mississippi to play for Ole Miss. He played a lot as a freshman, registering 38 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Perkins helped the team win 11 games that season and was named a Freshman All-American for his play. In 2024, he tallied 60 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He led the Rebels to a 10-win season.
At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Perkins is undersized for a linebacker. He also plays a combination of edge, where he is even more outsized than when he is off-ball. Perkins is a good athlete and has solid range. He has shown coverage potential and gets after the quarterback well. Perkins could shed quicker and tackle better in 2025.
Harold Perkins, LSU Tigers- Perkins showed early promise, but slowed down and also had a torn ACL in 2024. A bounce-back season needs to happen for Perkins’s stock to improve.
Sonny Styles, Ohio State Buckeyes- Styles is a converted safety who isn’t afraid to come up and help stop the run.
Whit Weeks, LSU Tigers- Weeks was a tackle machine for LSU last season and another season of production will help his draft stock.
Raylen Wilson, Georgia Bulldogs- After not playing much in 2023, Wilson stepped up in 2024. He is projected to take another step this season.
Taurean York, Texas A&M Aggies- York has plenty of experience over the last two seasons at Texas A&M and will lead the defense this season.
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