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

Anthony
Hill Jr.

LB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
81 84 86 91
88.7
2

Drayk
Bowen

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
91 64 79 78
85.0
3

Amare
Campbell

LB
North Carolina   Mascot
North Carolina Mascot
89 91 79 70
87.1
4

Raylen
Wilson

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
79 65 77 62
86.6
5

Jaiden
Ausberry

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
66 67 75 58
67.2
6

Michael
Harris

LB
Maryland   Mascot
Maryland Mascot
69 89 75 59
85.3
7

Mitchell
Melton

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
54 73 73 60
65.2
8

Harold
Perkins Jr.

LB
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
65 79 71 75
83.1
9

Raul
Aguirre Jr.

LB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
60 54 71 62
50.1
10

Stefon
Thompson

LB
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
82 60 70 69
55.5
11

Princewill
Umanmielen

LB
/ED
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
46 77 67 59
81.6
12

Shawn
Murphy

LB
Florida State   Mascot
Florida State Mascot
38 43 66 41
56.0
13

James
Williams

LB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
68 66 89
80.3
14

Suntarine
Perkins

LB
/ED
Ole Miss   Mascot
Ole Miss Mascot
75 71 64 72
83.1
15

Troy
Bowles

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
78 57 60 59
72.0
16

Shad
Banks Jr.

LB
TCU   Mascot
TCU Mascot
54 53 60 58
58.5
17

Raesjon
Davis

LB
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
54 60 59 55
59.3
18

Keon
Wylie

LB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
59 66 58 61
37.5
19

Arvell
Reese

LB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
48 60 56 49
20.0
20

Keanu
Koht

LB
/ED
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
56 51 48 55
43.7