PFF ranks college football's Top 10 linebacker candidates for the 2023 NFL Draft
The 2022 NFL Draft has been in the rearview mirror for a couple of months, and many eyes have already begun shifting towards 2023. With a couple of months remaining before college football season gets underway, Pro Football Focus has ranked the Top 10 linebacker candidates for the 2023 NFL Draft.
In this summer’s draft, two true linebackers were taken in the first round. The first was former Georgia star Quay Walker, who was selected with the No. 22 overall pick by the Green Bay Packers. Former Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd was then selected with the No. 27 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Draft rankings will undoubtedly change throughout the season, but PFF’s rankings provide an interesting glimpse into the the linebacker class in the 2023 NFL Draft. Heading into the year, there are undoubtedly some quality names topping the list.
PFF’s top linebackers in the 2023 NFL Draft
1. Clemson junior Trenton Simpson
Simpson had a solid role as a freshman in 2020, totaling 28 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks, in addition to a forced fumble. After finishing the 2021 campaign with 65 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, Simpson has established himself as one of the top NFL Draft eligible linebackers entering 2022.
2. Oregon junior Noah Sewell
While Sewell might not be likely to be selected as high as his brother Penei Sewell was when he was taken No. 7 overall in 2021, Noah could very well be the top linebacker off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft. In two years at Oregon, he has totaled 162 tackles with 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, five passes defended and three forced fumbles.
3. Iowa senior Jack Campbell
In three years at Iowa, Campbell has just seven tackles for loss and two sacks, but he is a well-rounded leader on the Hawkeyes defense. Last season, he totaled 140 tackles and also added two interceptions with six passes defended and a forced fumble, firmly placing himself in the 2023 draft discussion.
4. Alabama senior Henry To’oTo’o
To’oTo’o made a name for himself at Tennessee to begin his collegiate career, but last year he became a key part of Alabama’s defense. In 2021, he totaled 111 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. To’oTo’o decided to come back instead of declaring for this summer’s draft, and now he has a chance to improve his stock even more.
5. Oregon redshirt sophomore Justin Flowe
Flowe doesn’t have a lot of playing experience in his two years at Oregon, as he’s totaled just 15 tackles and one tackle for loss with the Ducks so far. Entering the 2022 season, though, he is a clear breakout candidate and could quickly rise up the board with a productive year.
6. Wisconsin junior Nick Herbig
Herbig had a solid freshman campaign in 2020 before emerging as one of the Big Ten’s top linebackers last season. In 2021, he had 61 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, four passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 13 games.
7. Tulane senior Dorian Williams
Williams impressed as a pass rusher in 2020, finishing with 97 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Last season, though, he dipped a bit and finished the year with 73 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. The potential is there, and he could be an extremely underrated linebacker on 2023 NFL Draft big boards.
8. NC State redshirt senior Payton Wilson
Like Williams, Wilson is looking for a bit of a bounce-back. Wilson played a big role as a freshman in 2019 before emerging as a star for NC State in 2020, totaling 108 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He was limited to just two games last season, though, resulting in a bit of a slide.
9. Iowa redshirt junior Jestin Jacobs
Alongside Campbell, Jacobs helps form a solid duo amongst Iowa’s linebacker corps. Jacobs emerged as a key part of the Hawkeyes’ defense last season, finishing the year with 53 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and two passes defended.
10. Ole Miss senior Troy Brown
Brown totaled 212 tackles with over 30 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in four years at Central Michigan, and now he is looking for more. Playing on the Ole Miss defense is a great opportunity for Brown, and if he can be productive he could find himself rising come draft night.