• Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr.: The rising junior is living up to his former All-Pro father’s legacy.
• Clemson’s Barrett Carter: Along with Trotter, Clemson will have arguably the top two linebackers in the 2024 NFL Draft.
• Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenberg: The redshirt senior was a first-team All-American this past season and is one of the best run defenders in the country.
Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins
While the 2023 linebacker class was notoriously weak, Iowa’s Jack Campbell was still selected 18th overall by the Detroit Lions.
In fact, the last draft where there without a first-round off-ball linebacker was in 2011. Here are 10 linebacker prospects to know in the 2024 class.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
The son of a former All-Pro linebacker, Trotter has lived up to his father’s name and then some.
He excels on passing plays, as he was the only Power Five linebacker to earn 80.0-plus grades as a pass rusher and in coverage. Trotter finished second among that same group in both passer rating allowed (42.9) and open-target rate allowed (47.6%). While he’s only 6 feet tall, he’s easily the favorite to be LB1 in 2024.
As the son of a 4x Pro Bowler, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was born to be a linebacker.
Yet, some still doubt whether he’s too small.
To them, he has a simple message…
“Look at the film.”
My convo with the best LB in the country, @TrotterJr54@ClemsonFB ????https://t.co/slhLs4Gamh
— Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) May 24, 2023
Barrett Carter, Clemson
Clemson boasts the best linebacking corps in the country heading into next season.
Carter is one of college football’s most well-rounded linebackers. The junior was one of three at the position in the Power Five to post 75.0-plus grades as a run defender, a pass rusher and in coverage last season. His seven combined interceptions and forced incompletions were tied for the most among FBS linebackers, as well.
couldn’t make you understand even if i tried to explain.. ???????? pic.twitter.com/imK7rv2E0S
— barrett carter (@bcsznn) February 8, 2023
Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
Eichenberg was a PFF first-team All-American this past season and is the most valuable returning linebacker, according to PFF’s wins above average metric.
The redshirt senior is a dominant run stuffer, as his 49 run-defense stops in 2022 ranked second among all linebackers in the country, while his 20 tackles for loss or no gain were tied for third.
Pick-6 for Tommy Eichenberg. Put this clip on repeat.pic.twitter.com/9lVlRwAxMo
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 22, 2022
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Gray flew around North Carolina’s defense this past year on his way to becoming a PFF second-team All-American.
The senior made first contact on a ball carrier 122 times, which was 15 more than the next-closest defender in college football. It was also the best single-season mark by a Power Five player in the PFF College era.
Most plays with first contact among FBS players in PFF College era (since 2014)
CEDRIC GRAY???? pic.twitter.com/k0mGKNqZ0w
— tarheelupdate (@tarheelupdate) September 10, 2022
Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia
Dumas-Johnson is the next great Georgia linebacker, following in the footsteps of past Bulldogs such as Roquan Smith and Nakobe Dean.
In fact, over the past two seasons, the only SEC linebacker with a higher grade than Dumas-Johnson is Dean. The junior led the SEC this past season with a 79.9 run-defense grade.
Jamon Dumas-Johnson
70 tackles 9 tackles for loss 4 sacks 3 pass deflections 1 forced fumble pic.twitter.com/loJc8IMAVJ
— GaBulldogsFB (@GABulldogsFB) January 19, 2023
Jaylan Ford, Texas
Ford was an honorable mention All-American for PFF in 2022 and a turnover machine for the Longhorns.
The senior’s four interceptions led all FBS linebackers, and he tied for second in the Power Five with two fumble recoveries. His three forced fumbles were also tied for sixth in college football.
JAYLAN FORD.
Interception No. 4 on the season ???? @TexasFootball pic.twitter.com/Fe6qSkJXWz
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 25, 2022
Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin
Njongmeta is the highest-graded returning Power Five linebacker, earning an 89.9 mark this past season.
The redshirt senior is a menace when coming downhill, as he was the only Power Five linebacker who earned 85.0-plus grades as both a pass rusher and run defender. His 17 tackles for loss or no gain ranked fifth in that same group, as well.
The highest-graded returning Power Five linebacker?
Wisconsin’s Maema Njongmeta (89.9).
One of my Top-???? linebackers heading into next season. pic.twitter.com/dIoT3CCCzG
— Max Chadwick (@Chad_Maxwick) February 13, 2023
Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri
Hopper was a first-team All-SEC selection this past season due to his dominance on passing plays.
The Florida transfer was one of four Power Five linebackers who held top-15 grades both as a pass rusher and in coverage in 2022. Hopper also ranked second among SEC linebackers with a 51.7% open-target rate allowed.
Run it back! @tyron_hopper … one more year!#MIZ ???????? pic.twitter.com/igZKc1F8YQ
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) January 10, 2023
Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
Mondon racked up 22 pressures and 11 tackles for loss or no gain in 2022, both of which ranked sixth among SEC linebackers. He’s only 220 pounds but has impressive explosiveness and closing speed.
Smael Mondon (#2). Recognition and closing speed. pic.twitter.com/RI3X6wO99j
— Brent Rollins (@BrentRollinsPhD) March 8, 2023
Junior Colson, Michigan
Colson has been starting for Michigan since his true freshman season in 2021. He took a substantial leap from his freshman year, improving his grade from a 48.5 to a 75.6 mark. If he makes another jump, he has the tools to become one of the top linebackers in the class.
In my bag but i been layin back im turnin up this summer ???? pic.twitter.com/NjFMfWLAe3
— Junior Colson (@JuniorColson) May 9, 2022
