2025 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker

6/27/24: 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.

6/27/24: Carter recorded 62 tackles, five passes batted, and 3.5 sacks in 2023. He had a strong 2022 season with 73 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and eight passes broken up. Team sources said Carter is fast and athletic but small and can get destroyed in the inside run. He struggles to get off blocks and is a run-chase linebacker. Carter fits as a coverage linebacker in the sub package, but he could have issues holding up in the base set in the NFL.

6/27/24: In 2023, Stutsman totaled 104 tackles, three sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and three passes defended. Team sources said Stutsman is very athletic, very fast and very instinctive. They stated they feel he has good size and length, but lacks ideal strength and physicality. They opined that Stutsman could be similar to Pete Werner, except Stutsman is a little more finesse and has a lack of strength compared to Werner. Stutsman had a good 2022 season for the Sooners, recording 124 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and five passes broken up. He is a big linebacker who displayed good instincts as a sophomore.

6/27/24: Playing for Georgia, Dumas-Johnson recorded 34 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two passes defended in 2023 before going out of the lineup in early November. Team sources said they feel Dumas-Johnson has good instincts and plays strong. After the season, Dumas-Johnson transferred to Kentucky. Dumas-Johnson had an impressive debut as a first-season starter with the Bulldogs in 2022, with 70 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, and three passes broken up. He has a good skill set and could rise in Kentucky’s defense because it should fit him well.

6/27/24: Mondon played well in 2022 in his first season of playing time, recording 76 tackles, one sack, one breakup and one interception. In 2023, he totaled 68 tackles, three sacks, and a pass defended. Mondon has a good skill set with speed and athleticism. He could fit as a Mike – middle – or Will – weakside – linebacker at the pro level.

6/27/24: 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.

6/27/24: 2023 was Mangum-Farrar’s first season at Indiana after previously playing at Stanford. In his debut with the Hoosiers, Mangum-Farrar had 62 tackles with four passes defended. In 2022 while playing with the Cardinal, Mangum-Farrar had 45 tackles with three passes defended.

6/27/24: Reid was a decent contributor for the Utes in 2023, recording 67 tackles, one interception, and four passes defended. In 2022 he had 72 tackles with five sacks. Reid must increase his production and play well in pass coverage to rise.

6/27/24: In 2023, Bruener was a solid linebacker for the Huskies totaling 86 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss, one interception, four passes broken up, and one forced fumble. Bruener could stand to get stronger for the NFL.

6/27/24: Jackson was a tough defender for the Wildcats in 2023 recording 89 tackles with two sacks, two interceptions, and four passes defended. He has the potential to be a sleeper that could rise during the 2024 season.

6/27/24: Bywater recorded 32 tackles, a sack, and pass defended in 2023 before going out for the season in early November. Bywater totaled 98 tackles, one sack, three interceptions and two passes defended in 2022. He had a solid 2021 campaign with 102 tackles and a sack. Bywater has good size for the NFL and needs to elevate his play as a junior.

6/27/24: Knight played at Charlotte before moving on to South Carolina. In 2023 he had 96 tackles with 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, and four passes defended. If he stays consistent or grows that production with the Gamecocks, he could be a riser for the 2025 NFL Draft.

6/27/24: Mascarenas-Arnold was a good defender for Oregon State in 2023, recording 106 tackles with two sacks and two interceptions. He transferred to USC after the season. He is undersized so he might top out as a backup and special teams contributor.

6/27/24: In 2023, Kiser recorded 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. Kiser flashed some ability as a sophomore in 2021 with 45 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up.