2019 Preseason All-American Projections: Outside Linebackers

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2019 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 2020 NFL Draft.

First-Team Outside Linebackers:

Tipa Galeai, Utah State

This is a gutsy pick because small-school players don’t often get top awards, but Galeai could break the mold as was very productive last season. Galeai was all over the field for the Aggies in 2018, making a lot of plays in the backfield and putting pressure on the quarterback. Galeai is a long pass-rusher who could fit well as an edge defender in a 3-4 defense in the NFL. In 2018, he totaled 64 tackles with 10.5 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, three passes broken up, two interceptions and one blocked kick. Galeai redshirted in 2017 after transferring from TCU. For the Horned Frogs, Galeai had 3.5 sacks as a sophomore.

Anfernee Jennings, Alabama

In 2018, Jennings totaled 50 tackles with 5.5 sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, one interception and 11 passes broken up. He had a slow start to the season and did not look like the same player, but he improved and was playing better to close out his junior year. He then made the wise decision to return for his senior year.

Jennings was coming on strong in 2017 and looking like a potential dominant force before a knee injury ended his season early in Alabama’s win over Clemson in the playoff semi-final. For the year, Jennings totaled 41 tackles with six for a loss, one sack, two passes batted and two forced fumbles. If Jennings can get healthy and pick up where he left off, he has All-American potential.

Second-Team Outside Linebackers:

Willie Gay Jr., Mississippi State

Even though Gay wasn’t eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft, he jumped out to team sources as a player who impressed them on a defense loaded with future NFL talent. In 2018, Gay had 48 tackles with 5.5 for a loss, five sacks, two interceptions and one pass batted. He could build on his performance now that he has a year of experience in the SEC.

Josh Uche, Michigan

Uche notched only 15 tackles during the 2018 season, but seven of those were sacks, as he was a dangerous pass-rusher for the Wolverines. In 2017, he had only 10 tackles with a sack. The Michigan coaching staff has had some talented players who they keep in backup and rotational roles even though they have early-round talent for the NFL. Uche could keep that tradition going. With a lot of good talent around him, Uche could produce well as a senior and earn a lot of postseason accolades.

Third-Team Outside Linebackers:

Michael Divinity, LSU

Divinity played in the shadow of Devin White, but impressed pro evaluators and some sources said Divinity jumped out at them even though they weren’t doing reports on him last year. For 2018, he totaled 54 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble, two passes defended and one interception. Without White gobbling up a ton of tackles, Divinity could produce well in 2019 and earn some postseason honors.

Darrell Taylor, Tennessee

Taylor went under the radar in 2018, but actually broke out for the Volunteers, logging 36 tackles with eight sacks and three forced fumbles. Taylor has the upside to rise and produce more now that he has some experience.

Honorable Mentions: Miami’s Michael Pinckney, Mempphi’s Bryce Hugg, Penn State’s Cam Brown, Minnesota’s Carter Coughlin and Fresno State’s Mykal Walker.