July 17, 2026
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2028 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker

Charlie Campbell Charlie Campbell11 mins


*Walt taking 2014 and 2018
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
Led all NFL media in draft rumor accuracy in '15, '16, '17, '18, '20, and '21
Led all NFL media in correct picks for the 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024 NFL Drafts.
2nd Place in all NFL media with correct picks for 2021
2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT - WALT'S | CHARLIE'S ROUND: 1

The top 2028 Inside Linebacker prospects available for the 2028 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2029 prospect. ** – denotes 2030 prospect.

This page was last updated July 17, 2026. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2027 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

1. Clemson image Sammy Brown, ILB, Clemson
Height: 6-1. Weight: 234.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2028): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Sammy Brown, Clemson
  • ’26 – Arvell Reese, Ohio State
  • ’25 – Jihaad Campbell, Alabama

7/15/26: In 2025, Brown had 106 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble, an interception, and five passes broken up. Brown impressed in 2024 with 80 tackles, five sacks, and three passes broken up. Brown has good instincts and upside.



2. Notre Dame image Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, ILB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-3. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2028): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame
  • ’26 – Sonny Styles, Ohio State
  • ’25 – Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

7/15/26: Notre Dame is loaded with NFL linebacker talent, and that led to Viliamu-Asa being a rotational contributor as an underclassman. However, team sources say that Viliamu-Asa is extremely talented with an excellent skill set for the NFL. In 2025, Viliamu-Asa totaled 48 tackles with three sacks, an interception, and two passes broken up while being a part-time player. If Viliamu-Asa is featured, he could be a top linebacker prospect for the 2027 or 2028 NFL Draft.



3. Stanford image Matt Rose, ILB, Stanford
Height: 6-2. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2028): 1-2.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Matt Rose, Stanford
  • ’26 – C.J. Allen, Georgia
  • ’25 – Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

7/15/26: Rose is undersized, but he has incredible instincts, and some team sources say that Rose reminds them of Zach Thomas. In 2026, Rose had 106 tackles with three sacks, one forced fumble, and three passes broken up. Like Thomas, Rose is undersized, but he is a natural football player who is smart, physical, and relentless.



4. Florida image Myles Graham, ILB, Florida
Height: 5-11. Weight: 229.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Myles Graham, Florida
  • ’26 – Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
  • ’25 – Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon

7/7/26: Graham is short, but he is a physical force with instincts and physicality. In 2025, Graham had 76 tackles with two sacks and four passes broken up. A lot of schools wanted to steal him in the portal but Graham remained with the Gators.



5. Georgia image Chris Cole, ILB, Georgia
Height: 6-3. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Chris Cole, Georgia
  • ’26 – Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
  • ’25 – Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss

7/7/26: Under Kirby Smart, Georgia has produced a lot of solid linebacker prospects for the NFL and Cole will maintain that tradition in 2027. Cole had 60 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two passes broken up in 2025. It was only his first year as a starter, so Cole could rise if he builds off his first season.



6. LSU image Whit Weeks, ILB, LSU
Height: 6-2. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Whit Weeks, LSU
  • ’26 – Jake Golday, Cincinnati
  • ’25 – Barrett Carter, Clemson




7. Penn State image Tony Rojas, ILB, Penn State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2028): 2-3.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Tony Rojas, Penn State
  • ’26 – Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
  • ’25 – Demetrius Knight II, South Carolina




8. BYU image Cade Uluave, ILB, BYU
Height: 6-0. Weight: 231.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2028): 3-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Whit Weeks, LSU
  • ’26 – Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
  • ’25 – Nick Martin, Oklahoma State




9. Tennessee image Arion Carter, ILB, Tennessee
Height: 6-1. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 3-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Cade Uluave, BYU
  • ’26 – Xavien Sorey, Arkansas
  • ’25 – Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota




10. Oklahoma image Kip Lewis, ILB, Oklahoma
Height: 6-0. Weight: 223.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 3-4.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Arion Carter, Tennessee
  • ’26 – Lander Barton, Utah
  • ’25 – Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia




11. Washington image Xe’ree Alexander, ILB, Washington
Height: 6-1. Weight: 237.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Kip Lewis, Oklahoma
  • ’26 – Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
  • ’25 – Jack Kiser, Notre Dame




12. Texas image Rasheem Biles, ILB, Texas
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Xe’ree Alexander, Washington
  • ’26 – Jack Kelly, BYU
  • ’25 – D’Eryk Jackson, Kentucky




13. Virginia image Kam Robinson, ILB, Virginia
Height: 6-1. Weight: 238.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Rasheem Biles, Texas
  • ’26 – Deonte Lawson, Alabama
  • ’25 – Shemar James, Florida




14. Alabama image Caleb Woodson, ILB, Alabama
Height: 6-2. Weight: 234.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Kam Robinson, Virginia
  • ’26 – Aiden Fisher, Indiana
  • ’25 – Karene Reid, Utah




15. Georgia image Raylen Wilson, ILB, Georgia
Height: 6-0. Weight: 227.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2026): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Caleb Woodson, Alabama
  • ’26 – Mohamed Toure, Miami
  • ’25 – Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, USC




16. Louisville image Antonio Watts, ILB, Louisville
Height: 6-0. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Raylen Wilson, Georgia




17. Notre Dame image Drayk Bowen, ILB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-1. Weight: 232.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 3-5.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Antonio Watts, Louisville




18. Notre Dame image Jaylen Sneed, ILB, Notre Dame
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame




19. Tennessee image Jeremiah Telander, ILB, Tennessee
Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jaylen Sneed, Notre Dame




20. Indiana image Isaiah Jones, ILB, Indiana
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jeremiah Telander, Tennessee




21. Minnesota image Maverick Baranowski, ILB, Minnesota
Height: 6-2. Weight: 227.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Isaiah Jones, Indiana




22. South Carolina image Na’Shawn Murphy, ILB, South Carolina
Height: 6-2. Weight: 222
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Maverick Baranowski, Minnesota




23. Texas A&M image Daymion Sanford, ILB, Texas A&M
Height: 6-1. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Na’Shawn Murphy, South Carolina




24. Utah image Jonathan Hall, ILB, Utah
Height: 5-11. Weight: 232.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 4-6.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Daymion Sanford, Texas A&M




25. LSU image T.J. Dottery, ILB, LSU
Height: 6-0. Weight: 228.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jonathan Hall, Utah




26. Ole Miss image Keaton Thomas, ILB, Ole Miss
Height: 6-0. Weight: 234.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – T.J. Dottery, LSU




27. Oklahoma image Jerry Mixon, ILB, Oklahoma
Height: 6-2. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Keaton Thomas, Ole Miss




28. Vanderbilt image Nicholas Rinaldi, ILB, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-2. Weight: 241.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2028): 5-7.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Jerry Mixon, Oklahoma




29. Georgia Tech image E.J. Lightsey, ILB, Georgia Tech
Height: 6-1. Weight: 229.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 6-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – Nicholas Rinaldi, Vanderbilt




30. Maryland image Daniel Wingate*, ILB, Maryland
Height: 6-2. Weight: 241.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2028): 6-FA.
Previous Seasons
  • ’27 – E.J. Lightsey, Georgia Tech




2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2026 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2027 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P



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