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

Austin
Romaine

LB
Kansas State   Mascot
Kansas State Mascot
59 84 93 86
83.5
2

CJ
Allen

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
89 71 91 56
86.2
3

Deontae
Lawson

LB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
73 79 90 62
87.8
4

Jaishawn
Barham

LB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
84 71 88 46
80.7
5

Whit
Weeks

LB
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
84 86 86 61
85.2
6

Anthony
Hill Jr.

LB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
77 74 86 74
88.3
7

Kyle
Louis

LB
Pittsburgh   Mascot
Pittsburgh Mascot
76 68 84 87
82.9
8

Amare
Campbell

LB
North Carolina   Mascot
North Carolina Mascot
89 92 81 72
84.3
9

Taurean
York

LB
Texas A&M   Mascot
Texas A&M Mascot
89 77 79 65
85.9
10

Lander
Barton

LB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
44 72 79 62
82.4
11

Raul
Aguirre Jr.

LB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
63 65 79 68
69.4
12

Mitchell
Melton

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
58 79 78 64
74.0
13

Drayk
Bowen

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
92 68 77 76
85.5
14

Tony
Rojas

LB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
77 77 77 77
75.0
15

Reid
Carrico

LB
West Virginia   Mascot
West Virginia Mascot
77 77 77 77
75.0
16

Jacob
Rodriguez

LB
Texas Tech   Mascot
Texas Tech Mascot
61 87 76 78
82.9
17

Rasheem
Biles

LB
Pittsburgh   Mascot
Pittsburgh Mascot
78 87 76 79
82.0
18

Troy
Bowles

LB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
75 75 75 75
75.0
19

Eric
Gentry

LB
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
77 84 75 60
76.0
20

Raylen
Wilson

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
77 64 75 67
83.5