Editor’s note: The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 23-25). Here are his top 10 linebackers, plus players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

1. Sonny Styles (Sr., Ohio State, 6-foot-5, 244 pounds)

Styles delivered one of the most outrageous athletic profiles scouts have seen in years at the combine. At his size, he earned a 9.99 Relative Athletic Score by running a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with a 1.56 split, then posting a 43 1/2-inch vertical and an 11-foot-2 broad jump. In other words: edge rusher size, linebacker tenacity, safety explosiveness. He can play too tall through traffic, and he’s still refining block deconstruction as a full-time stack linebacker, but Styles looks like the prototype for the next version of the position. Projected: Top 10

2. Arvell Reese (Jr., Ohio State, 6-4, 241)

Reese was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten’s Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year in 2025 after logging 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6½ 1/2 sacks. Then the former four-star recruit ran 4.46-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis to confirm his top-shelf athletic juice. He is a trigger-and-hit linebacker with real downhill violence and range when he reads it right. He’ll be loved in aggressive fronts that let him attack. Reese can play off the ball or rush off the edge, but his long-term value hinges on coverage discipline and block-shedding consistency. He doesn’t turn 21 until August. Projected: Top 5

3. Jacob Rodriguez (Sr., Texas Tech, 6-1, 231)

Rodriguez is a former three-star recruit who began his career at Virginia, where he played quarterback, running back and wide receiver before transferring to Lubbock after only one season. As a walk-on at Texas Tech, he transitioned to linebacker, where he won the Bednarik, Butkus, Lombardi and Nagurski awards while finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. Over his final two seasons, Rodriguez piled up 255 tackles, 21 1/2 tackles for loss, 10 forced fumbles, six sacks and five interceptions. Rodriguez is a smart, anticipatory playmaker whose best trait is seeing the game a beat ahead of everyone else. He can get engulfed in traffic, and the tackling consistency isn’t always as clean as the numbers suggest, but a 4.57-second 40-yard dash and 38 1/2-inch vertical (9.61 RAS) backed up the tape of a hyper-productive three-down “Mike” linebacker who finds the football. Projected: Rounds 1-2

4. Anthony Hill Jr. (Jr., Texas, 6-2, 238)

Do you know how talented you have to be to step in as a starter on an SEC defense as a true freshman? Hill became a three-time All-American and Butkus Award finalist with 31 1/2 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles and three interceptions in three seasons with the Longhorns. He is a heat-seeking missile when he trusts what he sees. The 4.51-second 40 at almost 240 pounds (9.81 RAS) in Indy confirmed the burst, and if teams are convinced the instincts stay consistently on schedule, he’ll beat this projection. Hill will outrun his eyes at times, but he’s a splash-play waiting to happen with first-round talent and Day 2 discipline. Projected: Rounds 2-3

5. C.J. Allen (Jr., Georgia, 6-1, 230)

Allen led the Bulldogs in tackles, tackles-for-loss and forced fumbles last season, earning first-team All-SEC and All-American recognition. Georgia asks a lot from its linebackers, and Allen handled it like a pro. He’s rugged, high-IQ and SEC-proven. He can run and cover enough to stay on the field in nickel, even if he’s not the twitchiest mover out there. Allen didn’t work out at the combine, so this is a film-first evaluation, but his keys, angles and finishing ability give him one of the safer projections in the class. Projected: Rounds 1-2

6. Kyle Louis (Jr., Pittsburgh, 6-0, 220)

Louis is undersized by old-school templates, but fits in the modern game. Across the last two seasons, the former safety produced 182 tackles, 50 QB pressures, 24 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks and six interceptions. He’s a space eraser who plays fast, closes faster and has enough blitz juice to show up on third down. Louis tested like a twitchy hybrid with a 4.53-second 40 time, 39 1/2-inch vertical, 10-foot-9 broad jump and 6.97 three-cone at the combine (8.83 RAS). Projected: Rounds 2-4

7. Harold Perkins Jr. (Jr., LSU, 6-1, 220)

Perkins was a consensus top-10 recruit nationally who became a four-year starter and three-time All-SEC honoree for the Tigers. Perkins missed most of 2024 with a torn ACL; in his three healthy seasons, he combined for 34 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 12 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles and five interceptions. He’s lighter than ideal, but the explosiveness and playmaking ability are real. Perkins needs the right role, because asking him to be a conventional every-down linebacker misses the point. His value is in treating him as a weapon, not forcing him into a standard off-ball template. Projected: Rounds 2-4

8. Josiah Trotter (So., Missouri, 6-2, 237)

Trotter was a Freshman All-American at West Virginia before joining Mizzou his sophomore season, where he earned first-team All-SEC honors. He is a downhill, heavy-handed tone-setter with real pedigree. He plays with a calm, veteran feel against the run. He diagnoses quickly, takes efficient angles and rarely wastes movement. The Tigers used him in multiple roles, and he consistently got to the ball on time. The key question is taking on blocks — NFL guards will test him, and he’ll need to add strength and improve hand usage to avoid getting swallowed. Trotter’s father Jeremiah was drafted in the third round (No. 72) by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1998 and was a two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler at linebacker. Projected: Rounds 2-3

9. Jake Golday (Sr., Cincinnati, 6-5, 239)

After three years at Central Arkansas, Golday joined the Bearcats for his final two seasons, earning All-Big 12 recognition both years. The former defensive end brings unusual length to the position and enough range to keep teams intrigued about the upside. He posted 105 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks in 2025, then helped himself with a 4.62-second 40 time in Indy. There are still man-coverage and gap-discipline issues, but the frame, production and movement profile (9.85 RAS) are Day 2 caliber. Projected: Rounds 2-3

10. Keyshaun Elliott (Sr., Arizona State, 6-2, 231)

After two productive seasons at New Mexico State, where he was a team captain as a sophomore, Elliott transferred to Tempe. He led Arizona State with 98 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season, earned second-team All-Big 12 honors and finished his college career with 301 tackles. He’s a tone-setter who plays best coming forward and can be weaponized as a blitzer. Elliott ran a 4.58 40 at his pro day, and hit a 38-inch vertical at the combine. Projected: Rounds 3-5

11. Bryce Boettcher (Sr., Oregon, 6-1, 230)

The former walk-on/two-sport standout won the Burlsworth Trophy in 2024, ranked sixth nationally with 136 tackles last season, and chose the NFL path despite being a legitimate baseball prospect drafted by the Houston Astros. The testing was solid rather than freaky — 4.69 in the 40 with a 34 1/2-inch vertical and 9-foot-8 broad jump — but the instincts, urgency and special-teams value give him a real floor. Projected: Rounds 3-5

12. Kaleb Elarms-Orr (Sr., TCU, 6-2, 234)

After Elarms-Orr led Cal in tackles as a sophomore, he transferred to Fort Worth, where he was primarily a special teams ace before exploding his senior season. He’s done himself a favor late in the process by pairing strong production with great testing. He racked up 130 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 4 sacks in 2025, earned first-team All-Big 12 honors, then paired a 4.47 40 with a 40-inch vertical in Indy (9.33 RAS). Elarms-Orr can run, he can close, and he gave evaluators enough flashes to believe there’s more ceiling here than the resume alone suggests. He still needs more snap-to-snap polish, but the tools are worth betting on. His processing and play strength are both works in progress. Projected: Rounds 4-5

13. Aiden Fisher (Sr., Indiana, 6-1, 232)

After leading James Madison in tackles as a sophomore, Fisher decided to follow his coaches to Bloomington and became the Hoosiers’ first linebacker to earn All-American honors (in 2024 and 2025). He was the leader of Indiana’s national title-winning defense. He’s smart, steady and built to be a dependable pro. There are limitations in man coverage, he only has average burst and he struggles to disengage when bigger bodies get into him early. Still, Fisher’s instincts and zone awareness are first-rate. He’s usually where he’s supposed to be before the ball gets there. Projected: Rounds 4-5

14. Red Murdock (Sr., Buffalo, 6-2, 232)

Murdock is a former no-star recruit who became a hyper-productive and decorated three-year starter for the Bulls. He was an All-American, a two-time All-MAC honoree and a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (“Academic Heisman”). Over the past two seasons, he combined for 298 tackles, almost 50 more than anyone else in the FBS, while producing 30 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He forced an FBS-record 17 fumbles in only 35 games the last three years. Murdock wasn’t a combine winner and his pro-day numbers were more workmanlike than anything. The small-school jump will matter in the evaluation, but there’s no ignoring how often he showed up around the football. Projected: Rounds 4-7

15. Jack Kelly (Sr., BYU, 6-2, 240)

Kelly led the Big Sky in sacks (10 1/2) and forced fumbles (four) with Weber State in 2023 before transferring to Provo. In two seasons with the Cougars, he produced 23 1/2 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and four forced fumbles, earned All-Big 12 recognition and was voted team captain twice. Kelly finished last season with 10 sacks, and aced the combine with a 4.57 40 and strong jumps (9.72 RAS). He looks like a hybrid piece who can add value as a blitzer and sub-package defender. It’s best when you let him attack and stress protection rather than asking him to live in coverage. Projected: Rounds 4-7

16. Deontae Lawson (Sr., Alabama, 6-3, 224)

Lawson was the seventh-ranked linebacker in the 2021 class and the No. 52 recruit in the nation. He became just the 16th player to serve as a multiyear captain for the Crimson Tide, and earned All-SEC honors his last two seasons. He’s a smart, steady linebacker whose draft range has more to do with health/testing questions than football character. Lawson’s experienced, well-regarded and has played a lot of important football. The athletic ceiling may not wow teams, but the resume says he’s a veteran field general with a path to a long NFL life. Projected: Rounds 4-7

17. Jimmy Rolder (Jr., Michigan, 6-2, 238)

Rolder finally became a starter early last season when coaches started utilizing Jaishawn Barham in more of an edge rusher capacity. The former four-star recruit led the Wolverines with 73 tackles, added two sacks and an interception, earned second-team All-Big Ten honors, and flashed enough short-area movement at the combine (9.53 RAS) with a 7.00 three-cone and 4.26 shuttle to suggest he’s more than just a thumper. Considering he’s only started 11 games in college, there’s still work to do, but Rolder’s physical, reliable and wired for special teams from Day 1. Projected: Rounds 4-7

18. Taurean York (Jr., Texas A&M, 5-11, 226)

York started all 39 games in his three seasons with the Aggies and was voted a team captain as a sophomore and junior. He also earned Freshman All-American and All-SEC recognition during his time in College Station. He’s smaller than many teams prefer, but he’s productive, with preternatural instincts and tough to ignore. York led Texas A&M in tackles in each of the last two seasons and tested competitively with a 4.59 40 and 25 bench reps. He looks like a useful sub-package and special-teams contributor to begin with, but don’t be surprised if he cracks the starting lineup before long. Projected: Rounds 4-7

19. Justin Jefferson (Sr., Alabama, 6-0, 223)

Jefferson was the top-ranked juco linebacker, and No. 2 juco recruit overall in the 2023 class. He only had one full season as a starter in Tuscaloosa, finishing with 85 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception, then ran a 4.57 40 with a 38.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-5 broad jump in Indy (9.23 RAS). The size isn’t ideal, but Alabama linebackers who can run, cover grass and tackle usually hear their names called. Jefferson can get swallowed by size, and doesn’t profile as a take-on hammer inside. He’s more of a rangy Will linebacker whose best work comes when he can flow, scrape and chase. Projected: Rounds 4-7

20. Namdi Obiazor (Sr., TCU, 6-3, 229)

Obiazor was juco safety before transferring to Fort Worth, where he bulked up and switched positions. He’s been dependable for the Horned Frogs, producing 80-plus tackles and multiple sacks each of the past three seasons. He also helped his case with an impressive performance at the combine: a 4.53 40 with a 1.56-second 10-yard split and a 37-inch vertical (9.14 RAS). Obiazor can run well enough, he’s been productive, and he has shown some playmaking ability, making him a solid Day 3 option with a respectable floor. Projected: Rounds 4-7

21. Xavian Sorey Jr. (Sr., Arkansas, 6-2, 228)

Sorey was the second-ranked linebacker in the 2021 class and the No. 26 recruit in the nation. After three years at Georgia as a backup, he joined the Razorbacks for his final two seasons of eligibility, leading the team in tackles both years. He’s a former blue-chip recruit whose best football may be ahead of him. He posted 81 tackles, 7 1/2 tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks and an interception last season, then ran a 4.63 40 at the combine. Sorey’s too reactive in coverage and can be overwhelmed by blockers, but Day 3 is where teams start talking themselves into upside. Sorey also ran track in high school and won a Florida state title in the triple jump (42 feet, 11 inches). Projected: Rounds 6-7

22. Jackson Kuwatch (Sr., Miami of Ohio, 6-4, 232)

Kuwatch is a productive small-school prospect with a good blend of size and range. He posted 109 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks last season, earning third-team All-MAC recognition for the RedHawks, while his testing (8.86 RAS) gives him enough athletic credibility to pique someone’s interest. Day 3 teams looking for depth will circle him. Kuwatch isn’t a plug-and-play starter, but there’s enough here for a team to develop as a reserve linebacker while he earns his keep on special teams. Projected: Rounds 6-7

23. Jaden Dugger (Sr., Louisiana, 6-5, 242)

Dugger is a fascinating late-round dart. The former safety/Georgetown transfer exploded in 2025 with 125 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks and a first-team All-Sun Belt nod. His long-limbed frame (over an 84-inch wingspan) and solid pro-day testing (9.60 RAS) has garnered plenty of attention. Dugger’s instincts are still catching up to his tools, and block deconstruction can get messy when linemen get into his chest, but there just aren’t many linebackers built like this who also piled up triple-digit tackles. Projected: Round 7-PFA

24. Eric Gentry (Sr., USC, 6-7, 221)

Gentry is the outlier in this class and maybe in any linebacker class. At 6-7 with 35-inch arms and 4.59 speed, he’s a genuine unicorn, and that length changes throwing lanes and tackling radius in ways few players can. He joined the Trojans after one season at Arizona State and was consistently productive throughout his college career, producing 269 tackles, 26 1/2 tackles for loss, 14 passes defensed, nine sacks, eight forced fumbles and two interceptions. The projection is tricky because the body type is so unusual, but the movement traits and disruptive flashes are worth a long look. Gentry’s lean frame limits his play strength, and the role fit will vary wildly depending on the scheme, but going to tempt creative coaching staffs. Projected: Rounds 4-7

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