2026 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker

9/18/25: Thus far in 2025, Reese has 38 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two passes broken up. Team sources feel that Reese is a special player as they like his instincts in combination with being big and athletic. At 6-foot-4. 238 pounds, Reese is a large linebacker with a versatile skill set. In 2024, Reese had 43 tackles with .5 sacks as a rotational backup.

9/18/25: Thus far in 2025, Allen has 46 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and three passes broken up. He has been superb for Georgia and is an instinctive defender. He is fast and physical against the run while showing pass defense ability, dropping into coverage, and blitzing the quarterback. Allen is having a superb junior season. Allen came on for the Bulldogs during the 2024 season and showed improvement throughout the season. In 2024, he totaled 76 tackles with an interception and four passes broken up. As a freshman in 2023, Allen had 41 tackles with two breakups.

10/15/25: In 2025, Hill has 38 tackles with two forced fumbles. Hill was impressive as a true freshman in 2023, and it looked like he was scratching the surface of his ability. He totaled 67 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes defended. In 2024, Hill had 113 tackles with eight sacks, one pass broken up, and an interception. He was all over the field for the Longhorns, showing blitzing and pass-rushing ability, along with being a tough run defender. He is fast, strong, physical, and instinctive.

10/15/25: In 2025, Styles has 38 tackles and a forced fumble. Styles has a lot of talent and started to play up to his potential during the 2024 season. He finished with 100 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, and five passes broken up. In 2023, he recorded 53 tackles, two sacks, and one pass batted, plus he has been very good in pass coverage. Styles started out as a safety, but was eventually moved to linebacker. Given his size, he fits best as a linebacker in the NFL.

9/18/25: In 2025, Rojas has 25 tackles and two sacks. Rojas (6-1, 230) was a good contributor to the Nittany Lions’ defense in 2024 and really excelled in pass coverage. He had tremendous ball production with three interceptions and four passes broken up. He totaled 58 tackles and six tackles for a loss in 16 starts. Rojas has a good skill set with the upside to be even better in 2025.

6/25/25: Barham has 23 tackles, three sacks, and one pass batted. In 2024, Barham (6-3, 248) had 66 tackles with one sack and two passes defended. In 2023, he had 37 tackles with three sacks, an interception, and one pass batted. Thus far, his best season was his freshman campaign, when he had 59 tackles with four sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass broken up.

<> 6/25/25: Thus far in 2025, Bowen has 31 tackles with one sack. He’s been a solid defender for the Fighting Irish. In 2024, Bowen was a tough defender in the middle of the Fighting Irish defense. He was a tough run defender and had 78 tackles wth four tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, one sack, and two passes broken up. Bowen needs to show well in pass coverage to rise as an upperclassman.

10/15/25: In 2025, Barton has 29 tackles, .5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. In 2024, Barton had 72 tackles with four passes broken up, two sacks, and two interceptions. Barton was on his way to an impressive 2023 season before a right foot injury ended his season after seven games. In those seven contests, he totaled 34 tackles with two interceptions, one forced fumble, and two passes broken up. In 2022, he had 46 tackles with 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass broken up. The NFL advance scouts gave Barton a high projection on their preseason watch list.

9/18/25: In 2025, Carter has 57 tackles with, a sack, one pass batted, and a forced fumble. Carter is known to be a workout warrior, but it has not translated to dominating on the field. Carter was solid for the Volunteers in 2024 with 68 tackles, an interception, and six passes broken up. He has the upside to be better in 2025.

9/18/25: Thus far in 2025, Hausman has 40 tackles with one sack and a pass broken up. In 2024, Hausman was a productive run defender totaling 89 tackles with two sacks, one interception, and one pass broken up. He had 46 tackles in 2023 and 54 stops in 2022 while playing with Nebraska. Hausman needs to show more pass coverage ability and production to rise as a senior.

10/15/25: In 2025, Lawson has 25 tackles and two passes broken up. Team sources say they have significant medical concerns regarding Lawson. Lawson was a tough defender for the Crimson Tide in 2024, making a lot of plays in the ground game and contributing some plays in pass defense. He had 76 tackles with two sacks, one forced fumble, an interception, and four passes defended. In 2023, he had 67 tackles with three sacks and four passes defended after recording 51 tackles and four passes broken up.

9/18/25: Howard has three tackles in 2025. He was injured in late September and has not played since. In 2024, Howard totaled 37 tackles with a sack, one forced fumble, and one pass defended in his debut with the Gators. He missed the final three games, but got better as the year progressed. In 2022, with South Carolina, Howard had 19 tackles.

9/18/25: Thus far in 2025, Wilson has 38 tackles and a sack. In 2024, Wilson received a bigger role in the Bulldogs’ defense, and he flashed some ability. Wilson recorded 47 tackles with 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass batted. He could improve as he gains experience.

10/15/25: Thus far in 2025, Toure has 24 tackles, one sack, and one pass defended. In 2024, Toure went down in training camp with a torn ACL, the same injury that cost him the 2022 season. During the spring of 2025, Toure left Rutgers to transfer to Miami. Toure was a solid defender in 2023, recording 92 tackles with 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and two passes defended. He missed the 2022 season and had a big jump from 2021 when he had 51 tackles with 4.5 sacks. Toure has to stay healthy and productive to rise.