CLEVELAND, Ohio — In the Nick Saban era at Alabama, the Crimson Tide had five off-ball linebackers become first-round picks in the NFL draft: Rolando McClain in 2010, Dont’a Hightower in 2012, C.J. Mosley in 2014, Reuben Foster in 2017 and Rashaan Evans in 2018.
Multiple others were listed as linebackers, but those five were specifically off-ball linebackers while others like Will Anderson in 2023 and Dallas Turner in 2024 were technically edge rushers.
Entering the final weeks before the 2025 NFL Draft, it would be a surprise if Jihaad Campbell doesn’t join the group of five from above.
The true junior is coming off a breakout season for the tide with 117 tackles, 12 of which were for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles.
Campbell cemented himself as the top player at his position with an impressive performance at the 2025 NFL Combine, running the third fastest 40-yard dash time at his position (4.52 seconds) and had the third best 10-yard split (1.53). He also had the second-best broad jump (10 feet, seven inches), and his stock has been on the rise ever since.
2024 was the first time since 2011 that a true off-ball linebacker didn’t go in the first round. Campbell should prevent that from happening two years in a row, and if he does, he will keep the Crimson Tide tradition going despite Saban’s retirement after the 2023 season.
Where this position ranks in the 2025 NFL Draft?
As part of our 11-part position group ranking series for the 2025 NFL Draft, we have the off-ball linebacker position ranked No. 11.
We will unveil one position group per weekday, so come back to cleveland.com each day to meet the next highest-ranked position group.
What the Browns need at linebacker
The future of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah weighs into this need for the Browns. Owusu-Koramoah suffered a season-ending neck injury vs. the Ravens last season, and his playing future is uncertain.
With 10 picks in this draft, the Browns should be willing to grab a linebacker, possibly as early as the third round, as a contingency plan in case Owusu-Koramoah cannot return to the field in 2025.
Meet the top five linebackers
1. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
Height, weight: 6-2, 235 pounds.
2024 stats: 117 tackles, 5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups, 1 interception.
Projected slot: Mid-to-late first round.
More about Campbell: Following an impressive NFL Combine performance, Campbell has not only cemented himself as the clear No. 1 linebacker in this class, but also as a likely first-round pick.
Campbell has the length and range to play both the run and pass very well.
He will need to develop his play recognition to reach his ceiling as a player, however. But considering he just turned 21, Campbell has the benefit of still having a high ceiling because of that youth.
2. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Height, weight: 6-2, 242 pounds.
2024 stats: 136 tackles, 2 sacks, 9 TFLs, 1 forced fumble, 2 INTs, 3 pass breakups.
Projected slot: Second to third round.
More about Schwesinger: Schwesinger has had quite a rise from where he started as a walk-on at UCLA in 2021. He didn’t start until his final season at UCLA, and he made a massive impact, earning first team Associated Press All-American honors with 90 solo tackles to lead all FBS players.
Schwesinger’s instincts are his big calling card. His athletic ability and speed are plenty good enough, but he understands how to put himself in position to make plays.
While he will need to get stronger, Schwesinger has the tools you can’t teach, and that should help him find success in the pros.
3. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
Height, weight: 6-2, 235 pounds.
2024 stats: 82 tackles, 2 sacks, 8 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, 1 INT, 1 pass breakup.
Projected slot: Second to third round.
More about Knight: There aren’t many players in his class with the experience that Knight has in college. A cousin of former All-Pro corner DeAngelo Hall, Knight played his first four seasons at Georgia Tech before transferring to Charlotte in 2023 and again to South Carolina in 2024.
Like Schwesinger, Knight has high-end instincts and pairs them with solid athletic ability.
He is likely a two-down linebacker in the NFL because of questions about his coverage ability. The fact that he is also an older prospect at 25 could also cause him to slide into late Day 2.
4. Barrett Carter, Clemson
Height, weight: 6-0, 231 pounds.
2024 stats: 82 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 7 pass breakups.
Projected slot: Third to fourth round.
More about Carter: Carter comes into this draft as one of my favorite back-seven players in this class. In fact, I mocked him to the Browns in my first team mock of the draft cycle.
He may be a smaller linebacker at 6-foot, but he has the tools to be a three-down linebacker in the NFL. Carter covers well and he can play downhill in the running game as well.
Size is always going to be a concern for him, and his instincts will need work. But Carter has starting potential and could be a steal is teams are willing to overlook the lack of size.
5. Chris Paul Jr., Ole Miss
Height, weight: 6-1, 222 pounds.
2024 stats: 88 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 11 TFLs, 1 INT, 4 pass breakups
Projected slot: Third to fourth round.
More about Paul Jr.: Paul has been a quality linebacker throughout his career, which included three seasons at Arkansas before transferring to Ole Miss in 2024. He had at least 30 solo tackles, 60 total tackles and seven tackles for loss in each of his final three seasons, showing his range and play as a tackler.
He also took a step as a pass defender with four pass breakups in 2024 after just one in his previous three seasons combined.
If Paul develops more as a run defender and becomes more willing to play downhill, he can be a solid to above-average starter.