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 87 61
84.5
2

Anthony
Hill Jr.

LB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
77 74 86 74
88.7
3

Amare
Campbell

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

Drayk
Bowen

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
92 68 77 76
85.0
5

Raylen
Wilson

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
78 65 76 68
86.6
6

Jaiden
Ausberry

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
66 67 75 58
67.2
7

Michael
Harris

LB
Maryland   Mascot
Maryland Mascot
63 79 75 55
85.3
8

Mitchell
Melton

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
54 73 73 60
65.2
9

Raul
Aguirre Jr.

LB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
60 54 71 62
50.1
10

Harold
Perkins Jr.

LB
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
65 78 71 74
83.1
11

Stefon
Thompson

LB
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
82 60 70 69
55.5
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

Princewill
Umanmielen

LB
/ED
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
42 76 63 59
81.6
15

Suntarine
Perkins

LB
/ED
Ole Miss   Mascot
Ole Miss Mascot
72 68 63 79
83.1
16

Gabe
Jacas

LB
/ED
Illinois   Mascot
Illinois Mascot
66 76 62 61
80.0
17

Troy
Bowles

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
78 57 60 59
72.0
18

Shad
Banks Jr.

LB
TCU   Mascot
TCU Mascot
54 53 60 58
58.5
19

Raesjon
Davis

LB
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
54 60 59 55
59.3
20

Keon
Wylie

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