2020 Preseason All-American Projections: Inside Linebackers

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2020 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 2021 NFL Draft.

First-Team Inside Linebackers:

Micah Parsons, Penn State

One of the rare things to hear in college football is Nick Saban and Alabama losing out on a player who they really want. Well, that was the case with Micah Parsons, as the Crimson Tide wanted him patrolling the middle of their defense but Parsons decided to sign with James Franklin’s Nittany Lions.

Quickly at Happy Valley, Parsons established himself as a starter, and he led the team in tackles as a freshman. In 2018, he totaled 83 tackles with five for a loss, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Parsons was even better as a sophomore, totaling 109 tackles with five sacks, four forced fumbles and five passes defended. He has an excellent skill set with size, speed, athleticism, and three down ability. Parsons is the favorite to be the top non-pass-rushing linebacker in college football this fall, and he could easily be a First-Team All-American.



Second-Team Inside Linebackers:

Dylan Moses, Alabama

Alabama has been a factory for NFL linebackers under Nick Saban, and Moses should continue the tradition that has seen the likes of C.J. Mosley, Dont’a Hightower, Reggie Ragland, Reuben Foster and more. Moses flashed in 2018 with 86 tackles, 10 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass batted. He missed the entire 2019 season after suffering a season-ending injury in training camp.

Some team sources said that Moses could have been a second-day pick in the 2020 NFL Draft even if he came out after missing the last season. Playing for Alabama should provide plenty of attention for Moses and land him a lot of postseason honors. It would’t be surprising if he ends up being a highly acclaimed All-American for 2020.



Third-Team Inside Linebackers:

Jahad Woods, Washington State

Woods (6-1, 228) is a tad undersized, but he has been a very productive defender for Washington State. Woods put together an excellent 2019 season, producing a ton of tackles in the ground game and also performing well in pass coverage. He totaled 141 tackles with three passes defended and an interception on the year. Woods also has produced some splash plays over the past three seasons, including four forced fumbles in 2018.

Woods has good instincts and is always around the ball. He might go under the radar playing at Washington State, but he is an excellent college player who could easily earn All-American honors.

Honorable Mentions: Mississippi State’s Erroll Thompson, North Carolina’s Chazz Surratt, Northwestern’s Paddy Fisher, Georgia’s Monty Rice, Ohio State’s Tuf Borland and Louisville’s Dorian Etheridge.











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