2024 Senior Bowl Preview: Linebackers

The 2024 Senior Bowl is rapidly approaching, and over 100 prospects have the biggest on-field interviews of their careers. Once again, the Senior Bowl has a multiteam coaching setup, so these prospects must adapt quickly. Who will rise to the top and claim their place as early-round draft selections? Which prospects have a chance to improve their stock as sleepers? We’ll be looking at each position by the team they were assigned to in most cases. The off-ball linebackers get a look-in.
If you missed the previous positional previews, you can find them below
American
1. Jaylan Ford | 6’2 232 | Texas
2. Ty’Ron Hopper | 6’2 232 | Missouri
3. Tyrice Knight | 6’2 235 | UTEP
4. Trevin Wallace | 6’2 241 | Kentucky
5. Nathaniel Watson | 6’2 247 | Mississippi State
6. Jalyx Hunt | 6’4 242 | Houston Christian
7. James Williams | 6’5 215 | Miami
Big Names
Nathaniel Watson
Watson was a key contributor for the Bulldogs for three of his six seasons. He increased his production every season, culminating with a whopping 137 (35 solo) tackles, 13 for loss, and 10 sacks as a senior. He’s simply a playmaker who was constantly around the ball. The former Bulldog linebacker isn’t the greatest athlete, but instinctually, he’s as solid as they come in the class. Being in the picture has to count for something. His stock can only increase if he can hang with the smaller, quicker running backs and tight ends in Mobile. Not many of his colleagues have been battle-tested as he has.
Trevin Wallace
The former Wildcat linebacker is one of several underclassmen in Mobile this week. As usual, he’s a well-rounded linebacker prospect who developed nicely under Mark Stoops. Wallace finished his junior season with 80 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. He’s a premier athlete with good lateral agility and overall speed. Kentucky used him frequently as a blitzer from various places on the field. He could rise up the boards into the Late Day 2 range with a good week.
Top Prospects
Jaylan Ford
Ford was the leading tackler for the national semifinalist Longhorns by a significant margin, leading the team in tackles for loss. He’s an instinctive linebacker who isn’t the best lateral athlete but covers distances he needs to. The former Texas man is seemingly always in the picture due to his experience and IQ. He is expected to stick inside at the next level with an occasional look as an EDGE in the right system. If he can prove that he can hang in coverage this week, a player of his caliber can get drafted early on Day 3. Look for him to be a sound tackler; one-on-ones will be critical.
Sleepers
Tyrice Knight
Knight was a tackling machine for the Miners, producing 336 total tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, 16 PBUs, and 7.5 sacks in three seasons. He’s always around the ball, it seems. A big-time athlete who can cover laterally and blitz the gaps adeptly. The former Miner playmaker can go higher than expected if he has a good week here. He’s a guy to watch as we progress in the process. Solo production improved annually, so that’s a good sign. PFF graded him as the 27th-best linebacker with an overall score of 84.2.
James Williams
Interestingly, Williams was listed as a linebacker by the Senior Bowl when he was listed as a safety for the inconsistent Hurricanes. He’s also an underclassman invite. He played more of a dime linebacker role while in college. Williams has the size and athleticism to play the same role in the pros. It will be interesting to see how he transitions to bigger linebacker duty, full-time, like a smaller Mark Barron of recent vintage. Keep an eye on him as he does.
National
1. Michael Barrett | 5’11 238 | Michigan
2. JD Bertrand | 6’1 230 | Notre Dame
3. Jontrey Hunter | 6’2 200 | Georgia State
4. Cedric Gray | 6’1 230 | North Carolina
5. Marist Liufau | 6’2 226 | Notre Dame
6. Edefuan Ulofoshio | 6’0 238 | Washington
7. Payton Wilson | 6’4 238 | NC State
Big Names
Michael Barrett
Barrett was part of a talented linebacker duo with Junior Colson as his running mate. He was second on the team in tackles in 2023. Statistically, his best season was in 2022, when he posted 72 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions. While he didn’t put up many gaudy stats like his contemporaries, he was the glue guy for the reigning national champions. He’s an above-average athlete for the position and a quick study. If he can have a good week, there’s a chance that he could rise on the boards as a Day 2 selection. PFF graded him as a top-25 linebacker with an overall score of 84.3. Size might be an issue as he’s just 5’11 and 238, but he’s a bowling ball like a more athletic Ivan Pace.
Edefuan Ulofoshio
This is a promising and intriguing talent of what if he had stayed healthy his entire career? Ulofoshio has battled back from many injuries to lead the Huskies back to prominence. He produced his best season as a super-senior with 94 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, and one interception. The former Huskie was productive when healthy, producing multiple 40+ tackle campaigns. He’s aligned in the middle linebacker role by trade but can be used all over the defense. A hard hitter who can turn and run at an above-average clip. He’ll need a large week of success to prove that he’s beyond the injuries to teams needing a starting MIKE. The one thing anyone can’t question is his work ethic and character, bouncing back to lead his teammates every time.
Top Prospects
Payton Wilson
Wilson is one of the best linebackers in the class overall. He seemingly has all the physical tools, such as size, speed, and lateral agility, to make an impact at the next level. He was a stat-stuffing monster with three triple-digit tackle seasons to match the same amount of seasons in TFLs. Production-wise, he was at his best as a senior, posting 138 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three interceptions. A fluid athlete who flows to the ball well and projects as a dynamic starting inside linebacker role. If he has a good week, a top half of the first-round selection isn’t impossible. He’s that good of a prospect on tape. While he isn’t in Micah Parsons’ class (no one is), he can be deployed like him as a hybrid. PFF graded him as the sixth-best LB, with an overall score of 89.8.
Cedric Gray
The former Tar Heel was an immensely productive three-year starter with consecutive 100 tackles and double-digit TFL campaigns on his CV. He also had 8.5 sacks, four interceptions, five forced fumbles, and 13 passes defended in his career. It’s safe to say that he can be constantly around the ball. Gray is a good athlete and has plus instincts. His size, lateral agility, and instincts make him one of the best linebackers in the class. Physicality isn’t an issue for him. 2023 was a bit of a downgrade statistically, but he still put up triple digits in tackles and had his best sack season with five. A quick diagnostic expert. He brings a Day 2 grade into the proceedings this week.
Sleepers
Jontrey Hunter
Hunter is a small school product who played his football for Georgia State. He’s a great athlete who jumped in production as a super senior, posting 96 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four passes defended. The former Panthers linebacker is smaller than most of the other linebacker prospects in Mobile, coming in at a listed 200 pounds. Teams will be interested in how he does in a more competitive setting against athletes from bigger programs.
Joseph is a veteran writer of many publications past and present. He is a long-time Tennessee Titans fan and draft scout/analyst, along with writing about the league is a passion project. Mr. Yun has been credentialed to the Senior Bowl multiple times. Readers will find he brings the juice with a scout’s eye and analytical mind. Follow me on Twitter @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz for more good stuff!