BEST RATED RUN DEFENDING LINEBACKERS 2026 NFL Draft

2026 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.

2026 Linebackers ranked by RUN DEFENSE

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

Drayk
Bowen

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
86 72 80 78
85.0
2

Michael
Harris

LB
Maryland   Mascot
Maryland Mascot
84 92 76 77
85.3
3

Suntarine
Perkins

LB
/ED
Ole Miss   Mascot
Ole Miss Mascot
88 73 75 71
83.1
4

Amare
Campbell

LB
North Carolina   Mascot
North Carolina Mascot
89 85 74 65
87.1
5

Raylen
Wilson

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
82 68 74 62
86.6
6

Anthony
Hill Jr.

LB
Texas   Mascot
Texas Mascot
82 77 73 84
88.7
7

Mitchell
Melton

LB
/ED
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
53 73 70 57
65.2
8

Jaiden
Ausberry

LB
Notre Dame   Mascot
Notre Dame Mascot
55 62 68 64
67.2
9

Raul
Aguirre Jr.

LB
Miami   Mascot
Miami Mascot
56 56 67 62
50.1
10

Princewill
Umanmielen

LB
/ED
Nebraska   Mascot
Nebraska Mascot
41 76 63 59
81.6
11

Troy
Bowles

LB
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
78 57 60 59
72.0
12

Keon
Wylie

LB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
59 66 58 61
37.5
13

Arvell
Reese

LB
Ohio State   Mascot
Ohio State Mascot
41 55 50 47
20.0
14

Tony
Rojas

LB
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
44 76 49 80
73.0
15

Samuel
M'Pemba

LB
/ED
Georgia   Mascot
Georgia Mascot
70 54 41 49
51.3