The Triple Take crew of Dale Lolley, Matt Williamson and Mike Prisuta take a look at the top prospects in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, which will be held in April. Today, they delve into the inside linebacker position.
The opinions expressed here are their own and not those of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dale's First Look
1. Jalon Walker, Georgia, 6-1, 243 lbs.
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-3, 235 lbs.
3. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, 6-2 ½, 242 lbs.
4. Barrett Carter, Clemson, 6-0, 231 lbs.
5. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina, 6-1 ⅝, 235 lbs.
Dale's Second Look
1. Jalon Walker, Georgia, 6-1, 243 lbs.
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-3, 235 lbs.
3. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, 6-2 ½, 242 lbs.
4. Barrett Carter, Clemson, 6-0, 231 lbs.
5. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, 6-3 ¼, 233 lbs.
Dale's Thoughts: Many view Walker as an edge rusher, but at 6-foot-1, 243 pounds, he doesn't have ideal size for that spot. Georgia played him off the ball and at edge rusher. I'm projecting him as a player capable of doing both, but am listing him as an off-ball linebacker. … Campbell is a good prospect, but is coming off a shoulder surgery in March to repair a labrum tear. He and Walker are probably the only off-ball linebackers who will get first-round consideration in this draft. … Schwesinger is a former walk-on with one year of true production. But it was a very productive year and his athletic testing was off the charts. He should be a special teams star, as well. … Danny Stutsman of Oklahoma worked his way into my top five after an eye-opening 4.52-second 40-yard dash. He had three-straight seasons with 100-plus tackles at Oklahoma, as well. … At 6-1, 228 pounds, Oregon's Jeffrey Bassa is a little undersized, but he makes a lot of plays, as well. But he definitely has to play behind a line that covers him up well. … Chris Paul of Ole Miss is another undersized (6-1, 222 pounds) who is built more like a safety than a linebacker, but that's what college football is now producing. He plays well in coverage, but holding up in the run game at the NFL level could be an issue. … Penn State's Kobe King (6-0 3/4, 243 pounds) is built and plays like an old-school thumper in the middle. And while he wasn't bad in coverage at time in college, his lack of feel in the passing game could limit him to being a two-down linebacker. … Carson Bruener, the son of former Steelers tight end and current scout Mark Bruener, recorded 190 tackles in the past two seasons for Washington. At 6-1 ¼, 228 pounds, he lacks ideal size, but he ran a surprising 4.58-second 40 at the Combine and should be a core special teams player at the NFL level.
Matt's First Look
1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-2, 235 lbs.
2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, 6-2 1/2, 242 lbs.
3. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, 6-3 1/4, 233 lbs.
4. Demetrius Knight, South Carolina, 6-1 5/8, 235 lbs.
5. Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss, 6-0 7/8, 222 lbs.
Matt's Second Look
1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-2, 235 lbs.
2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, 6-2 1/2, 242 lbs.
3. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, 6-3 1/4, 233 lbs.
4. Demetrius Knight, South Carolina, 6-1 5/8, 235 lbs.
5. Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss, 6-0 7/8, 222 lbs.
Matt's Thoughts: There are no changes in the top five, but there are quite a few linebackers that pushed to make that list. Those names include Georgia's Smael Mondon Jr., Oregon's Jeffrey Bassa, Clemson's Barrett Carter, and Jack Kiser from Notre Dame. All project as third or fourth round picks and have starting potential. … Campbell still stands alone in this group and is all but assured to hear his name called on Thursday night. Not only is Campbell an enticing off the ball defenders with exceptional traits, but he brings a lot as a true pass-rusher as well. … It would also be a major upset if Schwesinger wasn't the next player drafted after Campbell. Schwesinger is a fantastic tackler that plays very well in space and also brings some pass-rush to his resume. He was extremely productive in his one season as a starter. … Jamon Dumas-Johnson is a linebacker prospect that isn't getting enough attention right now. He's a three-year starter against top college competition. Dumas-Johnson isn't a great athlete, but he sees the game very well and always seems to be in the right place. He could wear the green dot at the next level if he proves to be able to stay on the field for all three downs. But in order for that to occur, Dumas-Johnson has to prove to coaches that he can effectively defend the pass.
Mike's First Look
1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-3, 235 lbs.
2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, 6-2 1/2, 242 lbs.
3. Demetrius Knight, South Carolina, 6-1 5/8, 235 lbs.
4. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia, 6-2, 224 lbs.
5. Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon, 6-1, 232 lbs.
Mike's Second Look
1. Jalon Walker, Georgia, 6-3, 235 lbs.
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-3, 235 lbs.
3. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, 6-21/2, 242 lbs.
4. Demetrius Knight, South Carolina, 6-1 5/8, 235 lbs.
5. Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia, 6-2, 224 lbs.
Mike's Thoughts: After further review, Walker has been re-classified from edge rusher to off-the-ball linebacker for this second look at the latter position. He'll be a beast wherever he lines up. Oregon's Jeffrey Bassa (6-1, 232 lbs.) loses Top 5 status due to the adjustment with Walker but remains an intriguing candidate … Washington's Carson Bruener (6-1, 227 lbs.) was the sleeper initially and remains a Day 3 prospect who has bloodlines working for him (he's Mark Bruener's son) on his way to the NFL … Mississippi's Chris Paul (6-0 7/8, 224 lbs.) was a finalist for the Butkus Award (given to the nation's top linebacker and won by Walker) and a Third-Team Associated Press All-American in 2024, his first season at Ole Miss after three at Arkansas … Oklahoma's Danny Stutsman (6-4, 243 lbs.) was a Second-Team AP All-America selection in 2024 after earning Third-Team honors in 2023. NFL Network analyst Charles Davis is among those impressed with Stutsman's ability to find the ball. "You may not see every bit of the athleticism you'll see with other people," Davis noted. "But you know what you will see? A guy tackling everyone on the field." … Notre Dame's Jack Kiser (6-1 3/8, 227 lbs.) was a captain for the Irish and left South Bend with a program-record 70 games played. He was Notre Dame's Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman assesses Kiser as "sneaky athletic," and as a player who "loves the game. I can't speak more highly of him," Freeman added … Penn State's Kobe King (6-1, 248 lbs.) consistently stuffed the run while making 16 starts for the Nittany Lions in 2024. King was a Second-Team All-Big Ten pick last season … Oklahoma State's Nick Martin has been timed at 4.53 in the 40-yard dash and plays fast on tape. He's a spy-capable linebacker who runs and covers the way linebackers must in the Big XII … Ohio State's Cody Simon (6-2, 235 lbs.) was a team captain for the Buckeyes who showed up big in the biggest games. He was the Defensive MVP in the Rose Bowl and in the National Championship Game during OSU's College Football Playoff run … Auburn's Jalen McLeod has position flexibility thanks to his ability to line up on the edge and rush or cover from there. McLeod played three seasons at Appalachian State than produced a combined 24 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks in two seasons at Auburn … Clemson's Barrett Carter (6-1, 230 lbs.) is one of two Power conference players to have 12-plus sacks (12.5) and three-plus interceptions (three) since 2022. The other is Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (fifth round, Philadelphia, 2024).
