While the Panthers boast the best coverage linebackers in the NFL, Thomas Davis will be entering his 13th season in 2017, and AJ Klein will be a free agent after this season. A replacement for Klein who could compete with Jeremy Cash to be Davis' successor down the road would be a nice addition.
Raekwon McMillan, MLB, Ohio State
A five-star recruit, rated by some as the top HS ILB in the class of 2014, McMillan quickly made his presence felt upon arriving on campus in Columbus. McMillian forced his way onto the field as a true freshman. Despite technically being a backup, he often played more snaps than starter Curtis Grant and finished with 54 tackles and 6 ½ tackles for loss. With Grant gone, McMillian stepped into the full-time role at middle linebacker, and led the team with 119 tackles. He also had 1.5 sacks and four passes broken up last year.
Over the summer, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote:
McMillan does a great job of keeping his eyes glued to his target while sifting through moving bodies to get to his man. McMillan is athletic with plus play quickness to outrace blockers to the spot. Another area of strength for McMillan that is getting plenty of attention from the scouting community is his ability to cover out of the backfield. Former teammate Darron Lee saw a bump in his draft stock thanks to his potential to excel in sub packages and McMillan has that same potential.
My thoughts: Now a 6-foot-2, 240-pound junior, McMillan is an explosive athlete who has sideline-to-sideline range, and game film comparable to Ryan Shazier and Darron Lee. McMillan played on a stacked defense his first two seasons, and it will be interesting to see how he performs now that so many surrounding pieces has already departed for the NFL. At this point, I like what I have seen of McMillan over Jarrad Davis and the others.
Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
A three-star recruit, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Davis was a role player with only one start each of his first two seasons. In 2015, Davis had 98 tackles with 11 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks along with five pass break-ups as a junior for an excellent Florida defense.
ESPN's Mel Kiper listed Davis No. 21 overall on his initial Big Board, writing "Not an edge outside linebacker, Davis is a guy who can make plays all over the field, dropping into coverage and attacking the backfield."
Pro Football Focus ranked Davis as just the No. 97 player in college football entering the 2016 season, but noted "in only 49 rushes last year, Davis notched four sacks, seven QB hits and 11 hurries. In coverage, his +7.9 grade ranked No. 10 in the nation (among LBs)".
Over the summer, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote:
Davis is a long linebacker with incredible sideline-to-sideline range and he accelerates into his tackles for maximum force. His explosiveness also makes him a quality blitzer. One area of concern for Davis is his inconsistency as a tackler. Davis' speed and aggressiveness have to be harnessed when he's on the move and he has to cover ground with more patience to avoid overrunning potential tackles.
CBS Sports' Rob Rang also shared his pre-season report on Davis:
Davis has the agility to slip past would-be blockers, and his naturally low center of gravity and core strength help him quickly disengage when opponents do reach him. He shows terrific football intelligence, quickly locating the ball and anticipating where it is going. He is alert in coverage, anticipating routes and slapping at the ball as it arrives to break up passes.
My thoughts: Davis could have easily gone pro, but he decided to return for his senior season and is considered by many to be the top off-the-ball LB prospect available. One of the fastest linebackers in the country, Davis boasts absurd closing speed and explosiveness, and while he's not huge, he is a run-and-hit LB who best projects to the WLB on a 4-3 team where he can be protected by the defensive lineman, and allowed to roam and make plays in pursuit. With only 14 career starts (two prior to 2015), Davis still needs to "prove it" in 2016.
Kendell Beckwith, ILB, LSU
Beckwith's decision to return for his senior season was a huge boost to an LSU defense that will be loaded with talent under new coordinator Dave Aranda, who is bringing more 3-4 concepts to the traditionally 4-3 team. As a junior, he totaled 84 tackles with 10 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and a pass batted. He had 77 tackles with three break ups, two sacks and an interception as a sophomore.
Over the summer, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote:
Beckwith doesn't have the speed and short-area quickness that we're growing accustomed to seeing at the linebacker position in the NFL, but he's the type of thick, interior thumper that 3-4 defenses search for. Beckwith's lack of short-area agility will lead to a few missed tackles, but when he gets his target locked in, he usually finishes. Beckwith is also a solid blitzer.
CBS Sports Dane Brugler also shared his pre-season report on Beckwith:
Beckwith has the power and physical mentality to take on linemen at the second level, acting as a hammer between the tackles vs. the run game. He is a fundamentally sound tackler with strong hands to hook, stay low and drop the ball carrier. However, he isn't a rangy athlete and his play speed is average at best, limiting his effectiveness near the sideline. His tight hips and tall pads also show in the open field when attempting to break down in the backfield or dropping in coverage.
My thoughts: The former DE and OLB seems to have found a home in the middle. The leader of the Tigers defense, Beckwith is an intelligent, instinctive linebacker who reacts quickly and plays with physicality and strength, allowing him to thrive on the inside of the LSU defense against the run.
With his 6-foot-2, 245-pound frame, Beckwith has the NFL-preferred build for an ILB. However, he is not expected to test well. With a frame/skill-set more similar to former LSU LBs Kelvin Sheppard and Kevin Minter than Kwon Alexander or Deion Jones. It would be hard to envision Beckwith getting picked in the top-40 picks, but I believe either a 3-4 or a 4-3 team could find themselves a starting ILB between the 50th-75th pick.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee
Reeves-Maybin decided this offseason to return to Tennessee for his senior season, rather than enter the NFL draft. He started every game at linebacker as a sophomore and junior, but had off-season shoulder surgery and said during the SEC Media day that he is not sure when he would be cleared for full-contact.
Reeves-Maybin became the Volunteers' starting weak-side linebacker as a sophomore in 2014 and posted triple-digit tackles each of the past two seasons, including a career-best 105 stops in 2015. He also led the team in tackles for loss (14.0) in 2015, adding 6.0 sacks, four passes defended and two forced fumbles.
He had 21 tackles in the Oklahoma game alone last season, proving to be an explosive tackler capable of disrupting plays in the backfield.
CBS Sports Dane Brugler:
Although undersized by NFL standards with narrow shoulders, shorter arms and limited growth potential, if he improves his consistency in coverage and as a finisher, Reeves-Maybin can secure second day status as a draft pick in the 2017 class.
My thoughts: A 6-foot, 225-pound senior, Reeves-Maybin returned to Knoxville for another year after back-to-back 100-tackle seasons. Last season, I was a big fan of Su'a Cravens. Reeves-Maybin appears to be a comparable player.
Reuben Foster, ILB, Alabama
The 2013 five-star recruit has gradually grown into a star for Alabama. A 6-foot-1, 240-pound senior, Foster became a full-time starter last season and finished with 73 tackles with eight for a loss, two sacks and nine passes broken up.
Enters the 2016 season, as Mel Kiper's and CBS Sports' top ranked senior ILB.
Over the summer, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote:
On a team loaded with NFL talent last season, including a thumping inside linebacker in Reggie Ragland, Foster still managed to stand out. In fact, there are some scouts that believe Foster will be a more complete linebacker than Ragland based on his ability to cover in the passing game. Foster has a densely packed frame with a neck that looks more like a quadriceps. SEC running backs and climbing offensive linemen will let you know that he packs a punch when he hits. With Alabama's ability to generate pressure, there has been no need to use Foster as a blitzer, but he has the burst to blitz and to chase sideline to sideline.
My thoughts: A hard-hitting run defender, Foster has grown from special teams force to a key part of the Crimson Tide's defense. Foster should take on a larger role in 2016 with Reggie Ragland moving on to the NFL. Similar to Ragland, Foster is not the same athlete as Davis, McMillan, and Reeves-Maybin.
Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
A rare four-star recruit for Vanderbilt, Cunningham broke into the starting lineup in 2015 and emerged as the Commodores' star, getting voted first-team All-SEC for a season in which he had 103 tackles, 16 ½ tackles for loss and 4 ½ sacks.
Pro Football Focus calls Cunningham the best linebacker you never heard of:
The first thing that stands out when watching Cunningham is his speed and physicality. When left unblocked, he flies to the ball and his strong closing speed puts him in position on a number of plays. Cunningham attacks blockers with vigor, aggressively using his hands to take on and defeat blocks in the run game. The athleticism shows up in coverage as well, as Cunningham has the range to make plays in zone coverage as well as the movement skills to match up with opposing tight ends and running backs. He uses his length to make plays on the ball in coverage, and that’s a part of his game that will make him an excellent NFL prospect.
CBS Sports' Rob Rang has heard of him. In fact, he "mocked" Cunningham going in the first round, #28 overall in his first 2017 Mock Draft in May, writing "Cunningham isn't a national name yet, but the Commodores star is well known in the SEC, especially among coaches who voted him to the First Team squad".
Over the summer, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote:
Cunningham plays with advanced awareness and instincts. He takes precise routes to ball carriers. More than 36 percent of his tackles were made within two yards of the line of scrimmage. At a position where production can be heavily scrutinized, Cunningham also forced four fumbles and recovered three.
My thoughts: While the Commodores still have a long way to go on offense, Derek Mason has the defense in terrific shape, with Cunningham becoming it's leader. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound red-shirt junior appears to be a legitimate NFL prospect.
Micah Kiser, ILB, Virginia
Enters the 2016 season, as Mel Kiper's third-ranked underclassman ILB.
Entering 2016, Kiser has started 24 straight games since breaking into the lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2014, but he broke out as a star for the Cavaliers as a sophomore, leading the ACC with 117 tackles. He also finished with 13 tackles for loss, 7 ½ sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions to earn a first-team All-ACC spot.
Fun Fact: Now a redshirt junior, Kiser is a product of the Gilman School in Baltimore, where Stan White has served as defensive coordinator for 19 years. White, who played professionally for the Baltimore Colts and Detroit Lions, also serves as an analyst on Baltimore Ravens radio broadcasts.
My thoughts: Reminiscent of former BYU LB Kyle Van Noy, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Kiser has a relentless style of play, flying to the ball, and ringing up the box score. In 2012, Van Noy was one of the nation's most disruptive players with 53 tackles, with 22 tackles for a loss including 13 sacks, six forced fumbles, two interceptions and five passes batted.
If Kiser is used as a pass-rusher, he should produce good sack totals. While he excelled as a 4-3 MLB in 2015, he could dominate on the inside of the 3-4 scheme installed by new head coach Bronco Mendenhall (Van Noy's head coach at BYU). If I am correct, expect to hear a lot of top-50 prospect talk during draft season.
Josh Harvey-Clemons, SS, OLB, Louisville
JHC started 11 games for Georgia and played in 25 during his first two seasons, but was dismissed from the team, and chose to transfer to Louisville to reunite with former Bulldogs defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. Grantham used the 6-foot-5 Harvey-Clemons as a traditional safety in his base 3-4 defensive scheme and in a hybrid linebacker-defensive back role called the "star" position when the Bulldogs moved to a nickel defensive. He finished the 2013 season with 66 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and an SEC-high three fumble recoveries despite missed two games due to suspension.
Once ranked by ESPN.com as the nation's No. 1 outside linebacker prospect in the nation, JHC was forced to sit out the 2014 season.
Against Louisville's opener against Auburn, Harvey-Clemons had two interceptions, and made 14 tackles in his first game action since 2013. For the season, he had 88 tackles (third on the team) and three interceptions in 2015.
My thoughts: Recently, players like Su'a Cravens and Deone Bucannon, as well as the Panthers' Shaq Thompson and Jeremy Cash have all been moved to LB, and as a taller than average safety prospect, JHC might face similar criticisms as Jayron Kearse (may be too tall, and sometimes struggles with change of direction and tackling too high) who fell into the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
I like JHC more than this ranking, but with players like Kearse and Cash sliding well past where I thought they should go I am not sure the NFL agrees.
Jordan Evans, LB, Oklahoma
Enters his senior season with 23 starts and 188 tackles under his belt in his college career, including 83 tackles and five tackles for loss last season to earn him second-team All-Big 12 accolades. He was sorely missed in the second half of the Orange Bowl after injuring his shoulder.
With Dominique Alexander and Eric Striker (both undrafted) gone, Evans is the lone returning starter for the Sooners' linebacking corps.
My thoughts: Evans wears #26, and is frequently asked to drop into coverage, making him look like a strong safety even though he is listed at 6-foot-2 and 233-pounds. Evans has been very productive during is time at Norman, but I am not sure how high his ceiling is. A smooth, coordinated athlete, he too often appears to be "gliding". May be more of a sub-package player in the at the next level. Evans does not look physical enough to remain at ILB in the NFL. When watching him, I don't think "he is way better than Striker and Alexander", quite the contrary, I am not sure he is as good.
Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
At 6'2/230, Jewell enters his junior season with high expectations after a redshirt sophomore season that started with him being voted a team captain, and ended with him leading the team in tackles with 126. A proven playmaker, Jewell had four interceptions and four forced fumbles.
Enters the 2016 season, as Mel Kiper's second-ranked underclassman ILB.
Over the summer, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote:
Jewell has two things that will stand out to scouts when they talk about him with their general managers -- instincts and production.
My thoughts: Smaller but perhaps more athletic than former Iowa LB Pat Angerer, who was drafted in the second round.
Anthony Walker, LB, Northwestern
A 6-foot-1, 235-pound junior, Walker broke out as a full-time starter last season at middle linebacker, finishing third in the Big Ten in tackles (120) and tackles for loss (19) while adding three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Over the summer, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote:
It isn't easy to finish a season with 122 tackles, as Walker did last year. To get to that number, a player has to stay healthy, but he also has to play with great instincts, quickness and football IQ. It helps if he can handle himself in space against the pass as well. Walker can do all of the above. He's not the biggest linebacker (6-foot-1, 235 pounds, according to school measurements), but he has a thick, powerful lower body to help him hold up to the rigors of his position. Walker also has quick change-of-direction talent and an ability to access a second gear quickly in order to chase down ball carriers who think they can turn the corner on him. Walker is quick to race downhill and disrupt the flow of running plays, which helps to account for the fact that 25 percent of his tackles were made on plays where the offense gained two yards or fewer.
My thoughts: One of the nation's most disruptive defenders. Northwestern had one of the nation's best defenses for much of the season, with Walker being it's leader. A speedy, instinctive linebacker who can rush the passer, disrupt plays in the backfield, track down ball carriers and successfully drop back into coverage, Walker is an All-American candidate.
Keith Kelsey, LB, Louisville
Kelsey returns for his senior year after earning first-team All-ACC recognition in 2015 with 107 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six hurries, three breakups, one fumble recovered and one forced.
A starter since his sophomore season, Kelsey helps lead the charge for one of the nation's top run defenses.
My thoughts: Louisville returns a strong nucleus with edge-rusher DeVonte Fields and S/LB hybrid Josh Harvey-Clemons waiting another year for the NFL. Listed at 6'1/233.
Jason Cabinda, LB, Penn State
Cabinda earned one start as a true freshman, then shifted from outside to middle linebacker in his first season as starter after Nyeem Wartman-White suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1. Last season, Cabinda led the Lions with 100 tackles (39 solo) and had five pass breakups, 5 ½ tackles for loss and an interception.
My thoughts: The Nittany Lions boast three starters capable of appearing in the rankings, with Cabinda joining Nyeem Wartman-White and Brandon Bell. The 6-foot-1, 232-pounder is a true junior and could end the season much higher.
Ben Boulware, ILB, Clemson
Boulware came to Clemson as the nation's #3 ILB out of high school, where he was South Carolina's top overall prospect. Now a senior, Boulware is Clemson's leading returning tackler.
In 2015, the 6-foot, 240-pound senior finished with 81 tackles, 7 ½ tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 15 games, earning first-team All-ACC honors in his first season as a starter.
Jon Ledyard, of DraftWire got the attention of Boulware back in February when he tweeted "Short, squatty frame with minimal tackle radius and limited athleticism. But man he loves football and contact."
Ledyard expands:
One of the toughest, most physical college football players in the country, Boulware is powerful at the point of attack and has better closing speed than you think. Last season, Boulware flew around for 81 tackles, 7.5 tackles-for-loss and three sacks. His short arms and lack of elite athleticism may give the NFL pause, but Boulware is a highly instinctive, sure tackler who plays the game with a relentless motor and brings ideal leadership traits to the field. And for a guy who will face the "is he a three-down linebacker?" question moving forward, keep in mind that Boulware had seven passes defensed and two big interceptions this past season.
My thoughts: While Boulware has some size and athletic limitations, he is a smart and intense LB who leads by example. Middle linebackers traditionally can be a little less athletic, but instincts can take you a long way. NFL teams may envision former Wisconsin and 49ers' LB Chris Borland when evaluating Boulware.
Salamo Fiso, LB, Arizona State
Fiso's numbers continue to climb over the course of his career, as he turned a stellar freshman debut into 11 tackles for loss as a sophomore, which grew into 20 tackles for loss as a junior -- tied for sixth nationally. Todd Graham's defenses are always aggressive, and the 6-foot, 230-pound Fiso is standing out in the scheme, putting up 99 tackles, 4 ½ sacks and an interception last season to form a dangerous tandem with Christian Sam.
Azeem Victor, ILB, Washington
The Huskies lost starting OLBs Travis Feeney and Cory Littleton, but they are loaded at the two inside linebacker spots with Keishawn Bierria and Victor.
The 6'3 and 227-pound Victor reportedly dropped 13 pounds since last season, when he led the Pac-12's top defense with 95 tackles as a red-shirt sophomore (his first season as a starter), contributing nine tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
CBS Sports' Dan Brugler took a look at Victor over the summer:
Victor's initial burst masks questionable straight-line speed to the perimeter. Further, he needs to show greater strength and coordination with his hands when battling blockers, too often getting tied up when opponents are able to latch onto him initially. Victor plays with a ferocity which will endear him to scouts and linebacker coaches at the next level but he must learn to play smarter, after drawing personal foul penalties and a half-game suspension last year (Oregon) for targeting.
Brugler continues to compliment Victor on his "awareness in coverage", ability to "locate the football and "avoid blocks".
My thoughts: Victor will need to add back that weight if he intend on playing as in ILB in the NFL.
Hardy Nickerson Jr., ILB, Illinois
Nickerson's father was a five-time Pro Bowler, and he is now Illinois' new defensive coordinator under Lovie Smith. That prompted Nickerson Jr. to head to Illinois as a graduate transfer from California.
The 6-foot, 225-pounder was a three-year starter at Cal, where Nickerson had a team-best 112 tackles last season.
Riley Bullough, ILB, Michigan State
Fifth-year senior enters his second season as the starting middle linebacker in 2016.
The younger brother of Max Bullough (undrafted free agent in 2014) who was a two-time All-Big Ten First Team. Riley is slightly smaller, and spent the 2013 season at fullback.
In 2015, Riley emerged as a second-team All-Big Ten pick last season as a junior, leading the Spartans with 106 tackles and also posting 7 ½ tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Crazy stat: If Riley leads the Spartans in tackles again, that'll make it eight times since 1985 that a Bullough has been Michigan State's top tackler.
My thoughts: The days when you had a 240-plus pound thumper who couldn’t cover a soul in the pass game are gone. Riley needs to show more pass-coverage skills for the NFL.
Richie Brown, ILB, Mississippi State
A former four-star recruit, Brown was a contributor as a freshman and sophomore, but he took his game to another level as a junior. In 2015, he led MSU with 109 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Brown also added two passes broken up, and an interception. Now a fifth-year senior, Brown has had three different defensive coordinators during his time at MSU. Earned National Defensive Player of the Week for his three-interception game against Texas A&M in 2014. Brown is married, and already has earned his degree.
My thoughts: The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder was a solid tacker and also had good instincts. May be a candidate to play FB, a position he played in HS.
Calvin Munson, LB, San Diego State
The Aztecs ranked ninth in yards per play allowed last season, with a terrific defense leading them to a Mountain West title. A 6-foot-1, 240-pound senior, Munson shined as a junior. He set the tone for the season with two interceptions returned for TDs in the Aztecs' opener and ultimately went on to finish with 98 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9 ½ sacks and two forced fumbles.
I admit, I have not seen Munson play yet.