2026 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker

6/26/25: Hill (6-3, 235) was impressive as a true freshman in 2023, and it looked like he was scratching the surface of his ability. He totaled 67 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes defended. In 2024, Hill had 113 tackles with eight sacks, one pass broken up, and an interception. He was all over the field for the Longhorns, showing blitzing and pass rush ability along with being a tough run defender. He is fast, strong, physical, and instinctive.

6/26/25: 1/11/25: Lawson was a tough defender for the Crimson Tide in 2024, making a lot of plays in the ground game and contributing some plays in pass defense. He had 76 tackles with two sacks, one forced fumble, an interception, and four passes defended. In 2023, he had 67 tackles with three sacks and four passes defended after recording 51 tackles and four passes broken up.

6/26/25: Styles has a lot of talent and started to play up to his potential during the 2024 season. He finished with 100 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, and five passes broken up. In 2023, he recorded 53 tackles, two sacks, and one pass batted, plus he has been very good in pass coverage. Styles started out as a safety, but was eventually moved to linebacker. Given his size, he fits best as a linebacker in the NFL.

6/26/25: In 2024, Barton had 72 tackles with four passes broken up, two sacks, and two interceptions. 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.

6/26/25: Dumas-Johnson had 67 tackles with 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. He played well for the Wildcats in his first season. 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.

6/26/25: Allen came on for the Bulldogs during the 2024 season and showed improvement throughout the season. In 2024, he totaled 76 tackles with an interception and four passes broken up. As a freshman in 2023, Allen had 41 tackles with two breakups.

<> 6/25/25: In 2024, Bowen was a tough defender in the middle of the Fighting Irish defense. He was a tough run defender and had 78 tackles wth four tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, one sack, and two passes broken up. Bowen needs to show well in pass coverage to rise as an upperclassman.

6/26/25: In 2024, Hausman was a productive run defender totaling 89 tackles with two sacks, one interception, and one pass broken up. He had 46 tackles in 2023 and 54 stops in 2022 while playing with Nebraska. Hausman needs to show more pass coverage ability and production to rise as a senior.

6/25/25: In 2024, Barham had 66 tackles with one sack and two passes defended. In 2023 he had 37 tackles with three sacks, an interception, and one pass batted. Thus far, his best season was his freshman campaign, when he had 59 tackles with four sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass broken up.

6/26/25: In 2024, Reese had 43 tackles with .5 sacks as a rotational backup. With others moving on to the NFL, Reese should take on a bigger role in 2025 and could be a riser for the 2026 NFL Draft. Showing well in pass coverage is crucial for Reese.

6/26/25: In 2024, Howard totaled 37 tackles with a sack, one forced fumble, and one pass defended in his debut with the Gators. He missed the final three games, but got better as the year progressed. In 2022, with South Carolina, Howard had 19 tackles.

6/26/25: In 2024, Wilson received a bigger role in the Bulldogs’ defense, and he flashed some ability. Wilson recorded 47 tackles with 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass batted. He could improve as he gains experience.

6/25/25: After missing time with an injury, Mangum-Farrar returned to the field in mid-October. He had eight tackles with one sack and one forced fumble. 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.

6/25/25: Toure went down in training camp with a torn ACL, the same injury that cost him the 2022 season. During the spring of 2025, Toure left Rutgers to transfer to Miami. 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.