2018 Preseason All-American Projections: Inside Linebackers

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2018 college football season WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises and the stars of next fall could be the headlining players next April in the 2019 NFL Draft.

First-Team Inside Linebacker:

Devin White, LSU



White was perhaps the best linebacker in college football last year, which is saying something considering Georgia’s Roquan Smith and Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds were top-25 picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. White had an excellent 2017 season, totaling 133 tackles with 14 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes broken up and one interception. White didn’t get the attention of other SEC linebackers like Smith and Rashaan Evans, but that should change this fall. Here is how one of the National scout summarized White, “This kid could end up being similar to Ray Lewis. I’d take White over any of the linebackers this year -Smith, Evans, Edmunds.” White is a favorite to be a First-Team All-American as long as he stays healthy.



Second-Team Inside Linebacker:

T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin



Edwards is an instinctive defender who is a physical presence in the tackle box. He also is dangerous in zone coverage, consistently putting himself in position to make plays on the ball. As a junior, he recorded 81 tackles with 11 for a loss, two sacks, seven breakups and four interceptions. In 2016, Edwards had 89 tackles with three interceptions, 8.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks and two passes batted. He totaled 84 tackles with four breakups as a freshman. Edwards is a safe bet to earn a lot of postseason accolades.



Third-Team Inside Linebacker:

Tre Lamar, Clemson



Sources have told me that Lamar has a ton of potential and athletic upside. Lamar has an impressive skill set with length, size and speed. As a sophomore, he flashed with 50 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble. His initial projection from teams is that he has late first-round to early second-round potential if he continues to improve, and this could be a breakout year for Lamar playing behind a legendary defensive line.

Honorable Mentions: Clemson’s Kendall Joseph, Alabama’s Mack Wilson, USC’s Cameron Smith, Notre Dame’s Te’Von Coney, N.C. State’s Germaine Pratt, Michigan State’s Joe Bachie, Marshall’s Juwon Young, Michigan’s Devin Bush, Vanderbilt’s Charles Wright and Miami’s Shaq Quarterman.











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