BEST RATED RUN DEFENDING LINEBACKERS 2026 NFL Draft

2026 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.

2026 Linebackers ranked by RUN DEFENSE

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

Deontae
Lawson

LB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
71 77 89 61
84.5
2

Jaishawn
Barham

LB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
84 72 88 46
82.0
3

Anthony
Hill Jr.

LB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
77 74 86 74
88.7
4

Amare
Campbell

LB
North Carolina   Mascot
North Carolina Mascot
90 94 82 73
87.1
5

Lander
Barton

LB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
44 73 79 62
83.1
6

Drayk
Bowen

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
92 68 77 76
85.0
7

Raylen
Wilson

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
78 65 76 68
86.6
8

Michael
Harris

LB
Maryland   Mascot
Maryland Mascot
63 79 75 55
85.3
9

Eric
Gentry

LB
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
77 84 75 60
77.5
10

Mitchell
Melton

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
56 75 74 61
65.2
11

Stephen
Dix Jr.

LB
Arkansas   Mascot
Arkansas Mascot
82 57 74 64
62.3
12

Xavian
Sorey Jr.

LB
Arkansas   Mascot
Arkansas Mascot
65 73 74 48
74.8
13

Jason
Henderson

LB
Old Dominion   Mascot
Old Dominion Mascot
77 64 71 63
79.7
14

Reid
Carrico

LB
West Virginia   Mascot
West Virginia Mascot
87 61 71 60
70.0
15

Harold
Perkins Jr.

LB
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
65 78 71 74
83.1
16

Raul
Aguirre Jr.

LB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
57 58 70 60
50.1
17

Trey
Moore

LB
/ED
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
62 86 69 85
80.6
18

Stefon
Thompson

LB
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
82 60 69 69
55.5
19

Scooby
Williams

LB
Texas A&M   Mascot
Texas A&M Mascot
49 62 69 47
65.8
20

Jaiden
Ausberry

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
63 66 68 47
67.2