BEST RATED RUN DEFENDING LINEBACKERS 2025 NFL Draft

2025 BEST RATED RUN DEFENDING LINEBACKERS

A dominant run defense often pivots on the linebacker’s capability to decipher plays, navigate through blocks, and bring down ball carriers with efficacy. Throughout the years, linebackers like Reuben Foster (Alabama) and Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame) have etched their names in college football lore, being recognized for their exceptional ability to quell opposing run games through astute play reading and unyielding tackling.

Explore, in the subsequent data, a compilation of current linebackers who stand as bastions against the run in college football. Delve into their play via metrics like run-stop percentage, tackles for loss, and run defense grading, offering a nuanced view of how these linebackers are curbing opposing run offenses and fortifying their team’s defensive front.

2025 Linebackers ranked by RUN DEFENSE

RANK Player Pos Team TACKLING PASS RUSH RUN DEFENSE COVERAGE Rating
1

David
Walker

LB
/ED
Central Arkansas   Mascot
Central Arkansas Mascot
76 100 100 85
82.8
2

Cody
Simon

LB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
75 89 92 78
83.2
3

Danny
Stutsman

LB
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
80 70 92 55
84.1
4

Jaishawn
Barham

LB
Michigan   Mascot
Michigan Mascot
87 76 89 53
82.0
5

Jack
Kiser

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
94 73 88 78
82.2
6

Chris
Paul Jr.

LB
Ole Miss   Mascot
Ole Miss Mascot
89 82 87 82
83.3
7

Deontae
Lawson

LB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
71 77 87 61
84.5
8

Barrett
Carter

LB
Clemson   Mascot
Clemson Mascot
69 73 81 68
84.4
9

Que
Robinson

LB
/ED
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
76 89 81 73
81.5
10

Jay
Higgins

LB
Iowa   Mascot
Iowa Mascot
85 69 81 98
83.2
11

Jihaad
Campbell

LB
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
92 80 80 83
86.8
12

Cody
Lindenberg

LB
Minnesota   Mascot
Minnesota Mascot
64 67 80 64
81.6
13

Karene
Reid

LB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
89 71 79 64
83.3
14

Barryn
Sorrell

LB
/ED
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
61 79 79 67
79.8
15

Lander
Barton

LB
Utah   Mascot
Utah Mascot
45 72 77 67
83.1
16

Francisco
Mauigoa

LB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
58 65 76 57
77.7
17

Smael
Mondon Jr.

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
86 73 76 69
83.5
18

J.J.
Weaver

LB
/ED
Kentucky   Mascot
Kentucky Mascot
76 76 76 76
75.0
19

Power
Echols

LB
North Carolina   Mascot
North Carolina Mascot
70 66 75 81
78.2
20

Eric
Gentry

LB
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
76 82 75 59
77.5