Continuing the preseason look at the potential 2027 draft class, we’ll turn our attention to the top off-ball linebackers. Following the excellent group that just entered the league, there are big shoes to fill. Many evaluators considered the 2025 class to be the most talented at the position in quite some time.
At first glance, it doesn’t appear this next class will offer the same depth as its predecessor. There are, however, a couple of high-end names at the top that I expect to carry their collegiate momentum into the fall. The class also features several high-ceiling players who need refinement but could rise into the upper echelon, even if matching this past year’s draft haul will prove difficult.
With college and NFL games continuing to get faster and more athletic, there are still plenty of physical freaks lining up at the position.
As always, the current state of college football makes it impossible to predict who will declare at the end of the season, so this list will inevitably change. As it stands, these are my top ten draft-eligible prospects.
1. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa/Notre Dame 6030/230 (Third-year Junior)
Analysis: Since Marcus Freeman took over as head coach, the Fighting Irish have fielded a notoriously stingy defense. From Kyle Hamilton to Jack Kiser, there’s been no shortage of impact players coming out of South Bend. It would be no surprise to see their defense near the top of the rankings once again, largely due to Viliamu-Asa. The only thing keeping him from entering the season as the unquestioned top linebacker is his injury history.
In Notre Dame’s final home game last season, he tore his ACL. Spending the offseason rehabbing will almost certainly lead to a slower start. What makes the situation more concerning is that he suffered the same injury to the same knee as a high school freshman.
When he’s on the field, though, his play is top-tier. In run defense, PFF graded him in the upper echelon with a 94. He processes what’s happening in front of him and reads his keys with lightning speed. When he triggers downhill, he does so explosively, allowing him to clog rushing lanes before blocks can fully develop.
While run defense is his calling card, he’s no slouch in coverage, which makes his ceiling even more exciting. He gets into his backpedal quickly and shows enough awareness to navigate the middle of the field without issue. Before his injury, he displayed the fluidity to turn and run, carrying routes up the seam.
Viliamu-Asa is an intriguing prospect whose on-field performance warrants first-round consideration. This season, however, will be all about recovery and how quickly he can return to pre-injury form.
***Preseason Draft Projection:***Late Day One – Early Day Two
2. Rasheem Biles/Texas 6010/220 (Fourth-year Senior)
Analysis: Last season, Texas featured one of the more impressive linebackers in the country – Anthony Hill Jr., who became a second-round selection. Looking ahead to the fall, the Longhorns are likely to have another high pick at the position. Transferring in from Pitt, Biles offers a compelling evaluation that reflects where the NFL is headed at linebacker. His speed, coverage ability, and knack for creating turnovers should be on weekly display in Austin.
Some defenders simply have a nose for the football, and Biles is one of them. He scored three times last season. While it’s possible to luck into the occasional turnover, he consistently puts himself in a position to make impact plays.
Like many modern, undersized linebackers, Biles moves exceptionally well in space. He’s fluid in coverage, showing the lower-body mobility to turn and run with weapons in both man and zone. His specialty is reading the quarterback’s eyes and jumping passing lanes. Once the ball is in the air, he attacks it aggressively.
The downside to his profile is his frame. At 220 pounds, he plays at a less-than-ideal weight and lacks the prototypical bulk to consistently absorb and shed climbing blockers. As a result, he can be washed out of his run fit when offensive linemen establish first contact.
Playing in the SEC will present a weekly physical test that should highlight both his strengths and limitations. Moving from Pitt to Texas is a step up in competition, but his athleticism and playmaking ability make him a must-watch prospect.
Preseason Draft Projection: Day Two
3. Ben Roberts/Texas Tech 6030/245 (Fifth-year Senior)
Analysis: Draft class aside, Roberts has enormous shoes to fill on his own team. Replacing one of the more decorated college linebackers in recent memory, Jacob Rodriguez, is no easy feat. Fortunately for Roberts, he has the talent to become a high selection in his own right. Had he declared last year, many believed he could have come off the board as early as Day 2. Instead, he returned to school with his sights set even higher.
Like the players listed before him, Roberts has excellent instincts in coverage. A former safety, his background shows up in his ball skills and the fluidity of his drops in zone. His processing is impressive; he reads the quarterback like a pro. For his size, he’s absurdly fluid and still moves like a defensive back.
As good as he is in coverage, his instincts in run defense are just as strong. Rarely will you see him taking false steps or getting fooled by misdirection. While Viliamu-Asa was graded as one of the top linebackers in the country against the run with a 94, Roberts was even better. He earned a 95.3, constantly finding himself around the football. He patiently tracks the ball carrier rather than guessing a gap.
Another standout aspect of his profile is his ability to shine in the biggest moments. Even on a star-studded defense featuring David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez, Roberts outclassed them in the Big 12 Championship Game. Showcasing his coverage prowess, he logged multiple interceptions and took home MVP honors.
With a prototypical frame and an impressive all-around skill set, Roberts has the potential to top this list by season’s end. This fall will be about proving he can be the undisputed leader of the defense without those other key contributors taking the pressure off him.
***Preseason Draft Projection:***Day Two
4. Chris Cole/Georgia 6031/235 (Third-year Junior)
Analysis: Based on the criteria for high-ceiling talent, Cole might have the highest upside of any player on this list if he declares. Arguably the most explosive and athletic linebacker in this group, he brings true track speed and sideline-to-sideline range to the position. Georgia has a rich history of producing linebackers, especially over the last decade, and Cole has the potential to be next in that lineage.
Like others here, his defining trait is his athleticism and how it elevates his coverage ability. Roberts isn’t the only former defensive back to make the transition; Cole shares that pedigree, and it shows up in his movement skills. He’s highly fluid in his transitions, turning in and out of breaks to mirror in man coverage. His speed also allows him to cover immense ground in the middle of the field, functioning as a true space eraser.
Beyond coverage, Cole is a devastating weapon as a blitzer. With his track speed, he can close the gap between himself and the quarterback in an instant. From his off-ball alignment, he tallied 4.5 sacks last year, leading a vaunted Georgia unit. He’s highly effective when asked to stunt or hit the A-gap, and he shows impeccable feel for timing the snap.
The biggest hurdle Cole needs to clear this season is improving against the run. While he’s capable of delivering splash plays, he still needs more down-to-down consistency. Playing in a Kirby Smart defense will only help refine his run-defense chops. The NFL just saw a converted safety, Sonny Styles, go in the top 10 of the latest draft. With his level of athleticism, there’s nothing preventing Cole from following a similar path.
Preseason Draft Projection: Day Two
5. Sammy Brown/Clemson 6020/235 (Third-year Junior)
Analysis: Possibly the most debated spot on this list, Brown was part of a Clemson defense that was overshadowed by a sputtering offense last season. The Tigers entered the year as National Championship contenders, but those hopes faded quickly. Like many of his teammates, Brown didn’t consistently play up to his potential. Even so, a down year won’t derail his draft outlook. He was a must-watch every week, even as the team struggled.
While others on this list win with more flash, Brown is built like an old-school enforcer who still offers elite range. A decorated high school wrestler, he leans on that background to understand leverage when battling blockers in the trenches. When he triggers downhill to meet the ball carrier in the hole, he does so with impressive balance and violence. Even in a down season for Clemson, Brown surpassed 100 tackles and logged 13.5 tackles for loss—yet there’s still more upside to unlock.
That upside lies in his coverage potential. Athletically, he’s more than capable of being a field eraser in the middle. However, his speed is more linear than fluid. When he’s asked to flip his hips, he can look a bit stiff, leaving him a step behind when trailing. His eyes are also a tick late in coverage. Too often, he’s delayed in anticipating throwing windows and has to rely on his speed to recover.
Brown is a player who can credibly be argued as the best linebacker in this class. That may very well prove true by season’s end, but he’ll need to show more consistent evidence that he can be a lockdown coverage defender to cement that status.
***Preseason Draft Projection:***Day Two
6. Suntarine Perkins/Ole Miss 6010/220 (Fourth-year Senior)
Analysis: A major trend in today’s NFL is the move toward more hybrid skill sets at the second level. Instead of prioritizing traditional downhill thumpers, teams increasingly prefer rangy, position-less defenders. Among the players listed here, Perkins may have the highest ceiling as a true Swiss Army knife. His impact in multiple facets of the game is so impressive that he nearly warranted inclusion on two separate lists—one as an off-ball linebacker and another as an edge rusher.
When evaluating his profile, it’s natural to start with what makes him such a weapon. In Pete Golding’s scheme, he operates as both a stand-up edge rusher and an off-ball defender. As a pass rusher, he explodes off the line with an immediate first step that instantly stresses his matchup. At around 220 pounds, he leans on finesse and speed rather than power, which is more than enough to win at the college level.
His pass-rush prowess led to double-digit sacks as a sophomore. Yet for all the versatility he brings, there are concerns tied to his lack of a true power profile. Whether he’s rushing off the edge or playing a traditional off-ball role, he can be swallowed up by offensive linemen if he doesn’t beat them to the spot.
Perkins also offers legitimate coverage upside. With his speed and fluid movement skills, he handles being bumped out of the box and asked to cover slot receivers with minimal issue. He flips his hips smoothly to carry routes through their breaks and has the long speed to cover large chunks of grass.
Given his size, it’s unlikely he will become a full-time, every-down linebacker in the traditional mold. More realistically, he projects as a high-impact sub-package weapon. Still, his ability to wear multiple hats will be highly coveted by NFL teams—especially if he delivers another strong season.
***Preseason Draft Projection:***Day Two
7. Tony Rojas/Penn State 6021/236 (Fourth-year Junior)
Analysis: Similar to many others on this list, Rojas had the chance to declare for the most recent draft after emerging as one of the top linebackers in the nation. However, a torn ACL ended his season early, and he chose to return to school with the goal of making a full recovery. When he’s been on the field, he’s been a dynamic playmaker with the ability to both cover and pressure the quarterback.
With his range, Rojas fits the prototype of the modern linebacker who can patrol the middle of the field. As has become a recurring theme with this group, he has no issues with movement skills. When he’s asked to operate in space, he does so at a high level.
Against the run, he plays with a “see ball, get ball” mentality. His anticipatory skills aren’t as sharp or as quick as some of the other players on this list, leading to an overreliance on his pursuit speed to track down the ball carrier rather than embracing the more physical trench work. That said, he’s shown improvement working within the box and engaging climbing linemen.
Circling back to the top player on this list, Rojas will face a challenge similar to Viliamu-Asa’s. Despite being one of the better playmakers at the second level, it’s difficult to return to form after a severe lower-body injury. If he can regain his previous level of play, expect him to reinsert himself into the conversation as one of the top linebackers in the country.
***Preseason Draft Projection:***Late Day Two – Early Day Three
8. Whit Weeks/LSU 6021/233 (Fourth-year Senior)
Analysis: Following another stat-filled season at LSU, Weeks is yet another player whose campaign ended early due to injury – this time, an ankle. With Lane Kiffin now at the helm, he’ll be relied upon as the heart and soul of a defense that must hold up its end of the bargain. His placement lower on this list has little to do with talent or production. In fact, he’s one of the most complete players in these rankings.
What rounds out his profile are the flashes of dominance he shows in every phase. He’s put together stretches of brilliance as an all-around playmaker—against the run, in coverage, and as a pass rusher. The issue is his inability to stack those moments across four full quarters on a consistent basis.
Even with that inconsistency, his impact on all phases of the game is undeniable. He’s an instinctive, three-down defensive quarterback who sets the tone for LSU’s physicality. After his most recent season was cut short, his 2024 campaign proved his dominance: 125 tackles and 10 tackles for loss en route to first-team All-SEC honors.
Weeks blends old-school brutality with true sideline-to-sideline range and top-tier processing speed. His physicality shows up in the trenches, where he has little trouble engaging and slipping climbing linemen. At the same time, his athleticism gives him true three-down value, allowing him to turn and run with skill players up the seam.
Weeks’ tape and measurables justify a much higher ranking. This fall will be a major test as he works back from injury. If he returns to form as a stat-stuffing monster, there’s little doubt he’ll challenge for a spot among the top linebackers in the upcoming class.
***Preseason Draft Projection:***Late Day Two – Early Day Three
9. Kip Lewis/Oklahoma 6006/226 (Fifth-year Senior)
Analysis: Despite standing just over six feet, Lewis bypassed the most recent draft after positioning himself as a potential Day Two pick. Given his size disadvantage, that level of interest speaks volumes about his ability on the field. Choosing to return to Norman could prove to be a blessing, giving him a chance to raise his stock even higher than it was at the end of last season.
The main concern in his profile stems directly from his undersized frame. Playing in the 220s as a second-level defender creates clear mismatches in the trenches, and to this point, Lewis hasn’t consistently shown the raw strength needed to overcome those size disparities.
What he lacks in size, though, he makes up for in athleticism. Like most players on this list, he offers true sideline-to-sideline range with minimal issue. He’s also remarkably consistent at the point of attack, rarely allowing ball carriers to slip through his grasp.
While his frame may be his shortcoming, the combination of dependability and athleticism gives him plenty of developmental upside. He’s the undisputed alpha of Brent Venables’ defense, and this season he’ll have the opportunity to add another strong campaign to his resume.
***Preseason Draft Projection:***Day Three
10. Christian Alliegro/Ohio State 6036/241 (Fourth-year Senior)
Analysis: Ohio State has accumulated so much defensive talent that it produced two linebackers in the top ten of this past draft. While Alliegro isn’t likely to go that high, there may be no better situation for him to step into after standing out at Wisconsin. He’ll join another loaded defense that should prepare him well for the next level.
A former lacrosse standout and high school defensive back, Alliegro pairs premium length with plus athleticism. Similar to Ben Roberts, he brings a prototypical frame but moves like an oversized member of the secondary.
Before breaking his arm, he totaled 53 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four sacks in 10 games. That level of production is exactly what the Buckeyes need after losing two star linebackers to the draft.
Alliegro lacks Arvell Reese’s or Sonny Styles’ athleticism, but this defense doesn’t require it. His primary assignment will be to serve as the stabilizing force in the middle. His Wisconsin production suggests he can make that leap and boost his draft stock this season.
***Preseason Draft Projection:***Late Day Three
***Honorable Mentions:***Kam Robinson/Virginia, Xe’ree Alexander (Washington), Caleb Woodson (Alabama), Raylen Wilson (Georgia), Cole Sullivan (Oklahoma), Drayk Bowen (Notre Dame)
Previous 2027 Top 10 Lists
Quarterback
Running Back
Wide Receiver
Tight End
Offensive Tackle
Interior Offensive Line
Edge Rushers
Interior Defensive Line
Related Items:2027 NFL Draft, Ben Roberts, Chris Cole, Christian Alliegro, Kip Lewis, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Rasheem Biles, Sammy Brown, Suntarine Perkins, Tony Rojas, Whit Weeks
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