BEST RATED RUN DEFENDING LINEBACKERS 2025 NFL Draft

2025 BEST RATED RUN DEFENDING LINEBACKERS

A dominant run defense often pivots on the linebacker’s capability to decipher plays, navigate through blocks, and bring down ball carriers with efficacy. Throughout the years, linebackers like Reuben Foster (Alabama) and Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame) have etched their names in college football lore, being recognized for their exceptional ability to quell opposing run games through astute play reading and unyielding tackling.

Explore, in the subsequent data, a compilation of current linebackers who stand as bastions against the run in college football. Delve into their play via metrics like run-stop percentage, tackles for loss, and run defense grading, offering a nuanced view of how these linebackers are curbing opposing run offenses and fortifying their team’s defensive front.

2025 Linebackers ranked by RUN DEFENSE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING PASS RUSH RUN DEFENSE COVERAGE Rating
1

David
Walker

LB
/ED
Central Arkansas   Mascot
Central Arkansas Mascot
76 100 100 86
82.8
2

Cody
Simon

LB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
78 92 95 80
83.2
3

Kobe
King

LB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
79 70 95 72
83.2
4

Danny
Stutsman

LB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
78 73 92 56
84.1
5

Jalen
McLeod

LB
/ED
Auburn   Mascot
Auburn Mascot
71 98 91 79
82.4
6

Jack
Kiser

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
95 78 89 74
82.2
7

Chris
Paul Jr.

LB
Ole Miss   Mascot
Ole Miss Mascot
89 85 87 76
84.2
8

Keenan
Pili

LB
Tennessee   Mascot
Tennessee Mascot
72 63 84 67
78.8
9

Demetrius
Knight Jr.

LB
South Carolina   Mascot
South Carolina Mascot
84 84 84 86
85.3
10

Francisco
Mauigoa

LB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
64 70 84 61
80.5
11

Shaun
Dolac

LB
Buffalo   Mascot
Buffalo Mascot
84 74 84 84
80.0
12

Jihaad
Campbell

LB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
93 79 83 82
86.8
13

Barryn
Sorrell

LB
/ED
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
57 82 81 62
79.8
14

Chandler
Martin

OLB
Memphis   Mascot
Memphis Mascot
66 63 81 72
79.3
15

Que
Robinson

LB
/ED
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
76 89 81 73
81.5
16

Jay
Higgins

LB
Iowa   Mascot
Iowa Mascot
85 71 81 97
82.4
17

Barrett
Carter

LB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
71 72 81 53
84.4
18

Karene
Reid

LB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
87 72 80 63
82.4
19

Jackson
Woodard

LB
UNLV   Mascot
UNLV Mascot
68 76 80 73
79.0
20

Cody
Lindenberg

LB
Minnesota   Mascot
Minnesota Mascot
64 67 80 65
81.6