2026 Senior Bowl Preview: Linebackers

The linebackers at the 2026 Senior Bowl offer executives a variety of shapes, sizes, and skillsets to choose from. Which ones have the chance to stand out and grab their attention? Are there any Day 2 picks among the lot in Mobile? Who could be the next great linebacker who launched their DROY campaign after a great week of practice? There are several big names with glittering CVs across the spectrum who could sneak into a great situation.

Note: All statistics courtesy of College Football Reference

In case you missed any of the previous positional previews, they are linked below:

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Offensive Line

Defensive Line

American Team

1. Keyshaun Elliott | 6’1 233 | Arizona State

2. Owen Heinecke | 6’1 224 | Oklahoma

3. Jack Kelly | 6’1 246 | BYU

4. Xavian Sorey | 6’1 220 | Arizona State

Big Names

Xavien Sorey

The two-time national champion at Georgia transferred to Arkansas, where he blossomed into a starter before the 2024 season. Sorey was a consistent producer in those two seasons, posting 180 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions. He also had four PBUs during that time period. The former five-star recruit is a top-tier athlete in the class, regardless of position. Reports indicate that he’s been all over the field in Mobile, making plays in just about every situation. He’s a great sideline-to-sideline cover linebacker with the physical traits to compete with every skill position.

There are size questions with him weighing in at 220, but relatively small questions, given that the modern-day linebackers don’t weigh as much. Sorey is an instinctive athlete who rarely misses a tackle when given the chance to make one. There is a chance that he gets drafted in the middle of Day 3 with an outstanding week.

Jack Kelly

Kelly transferred to BYU before the 2024 season from Weber State, where he posted a preposterous 10.5 sacks and four sacks in 2023. He’s been a consistent tackler in the 50+ range for three consecutive seasons with double-digit tackles for loss. Kelly anchored the tough and hard-nosed Cougars defense for two seasons. The BYU stat isn’t the greatest athlete in space, but is fundamentally sound, so he’s in the picture more often than not. The size is a throwback to classic middle linebackers at 240+. There could be a hidden gem as a utility-type linebacker who plays EDGE part-time, given his gaudy 31.5 sacks in three seasons.

National Team

1. Bryce Boettcher | 6’0 227 | Oregon

2. Kaleb Elarms-Orr | 6’1 233 | TCU

3. Kyle Louis | 5’11 224 | Pitt

4. Jacob Rodriguez | 6’1 233 | Texas Tech

5. Scooby Williams | 6’2 217 | Texas A&M

Big Name

Bryce Boettcher

The former Ducks linebacker had a great week of practice and showed why he’s highly regarded as a cover linebacker. He has a great story, walking onto the football team after a storied baseball career. Boettcher was a talented enough baseball player to get drafted by the Houston Astros, but turned the opportunity down to continue on the gridiron. 2025 was his best statistical season with 136 combined tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, six PBUs, and one interception. The fearless leader of the Ducks’ stellar defense could fit in both three and four-man fronts. He’s technically sound in coverage, but athleticism is a question against quicker skill players. He’ll need to test well at the Combine and Pro Day to assuage some speed concerns. As it stands, Boettcher profiles as a middle Day 2 selection.

Top Prospect

Jacob Rodriguez

Rodriguez won the Bednarik and Nagurski Trophies along with a fifth-place Heisman finish after an outstanding 2025 season. He was a monster in the middle of the Red Raiders’ defense for two seasons, consistently producing well over 100 tackles in both years. Clearly, he deserved the hype and then some with his immense talent and production. He’s among the best overall linebackers in the class. Yes, Texas Tech had a surplus of talent throughout the defense, but it was Rodriguez who held it all together. He’s a throwback to the classic inside linebacker of generations ago. He’s solidified himself as a Day 2 selection with a good week in Mobile.

Sleeper

Kyle Louis

The Pitt linebacker broke out in 2024 with 101 combined tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four interceptions for Pat Narduzzi’s defense. He followed it up with a solid campaign featuring 81 tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions in 2025. Louis developed into a star linebacker during his career with the Panthers. He’s a bit undersized at 5’11 224, but plays much bigger. The former Pitt Panther star is a cover linebacker who performed well during practices, showcasing his impressive ball skills with interceptions on consecutive days. If he goes to a team that utilizes its linebackers in a hybrid role, he’ll have success. He projects as an early Day 3 selection with an impressive week.