ESPN names LBU, updates Top 5 for linebacker producing schools
A new crop of blue-chip signees and NFL draft picks have shuffled around ESPN’s new “position U” rankings. This week, the outlet unveiled the program that currently owns the title for LBU, which just happens to be the reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs. Surprisingly, it is the only position in which the Bulldogs rank in the top five this year.
Check out the top LBU programs in the country, the top in each conference, and who’s missing going into the 2022 college football season.
ESPN LBU Rankings
Top 5
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Penn State
5. USC
Best by conference
ACC: Clemson
Big 12: Oklahoma
Big Ten: Ohio State
Pac-12: USC
SEC: Georgia
Non-Power 5: Temple
Biggest mover: Duke
Who’s missing: Oklahoma State
Georgia maintains linebacker crown
Although Alabama and Ohio State also consistently send talent to the NFL Draft, Georgia is currently the top program for linebackers, and ESPN doesn’t see that changing “for a while.”
“The disrespect to Nakobe Dean — the star linebacker at LBU — was immense,” ESPN’s David Hale wrote. “Dean dropped all the way to the third round (No. 83 overall), where the Philadelphia Eagles nabbed him. Regardless, Georgia easily retains its crown atop our linebacker rankings. It has been a heck of a run for the Bulldogs, who’ve had 15 linebackers drafted, including five in the first round — in the past decade. Georgia has had 15 All-SEC linebackers since 1998 and seven All-Americans.
“Alabama (eight All-Americans, including returning star Will Anderson) and Ohio State (19 All-Big Ten selections) are within striking distance, but the path to LBU figures to run through Athens for a while.”
Hale also writes that while Penn State is historically the LBU, they have only signed 12 blue-chip recruits in the past 17 years. That figure is compared to the 30 blue-chip signees for the Bulldogs since 2006.
Clemson could break into the top five in the next cycle if junior Trenton Simpson breaks out for an All-American year. The Tigers’ linebacker recruiting has also been on the rise for the last few years under Dabo Swinney.