Welcome to the thick of the pre-draft process. With less than a week until practices kick off in Mobile, Alabama, I’ll be providing a layered look into each positional group set to compete at the 2025 Senior Bowl—the draft cycle’s premier showcase which presents prospects with the opportunity to don their respective college helmets one final time.
Let’s get rolling with a peek into the headlining players set to compete at linebacker.
Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
One of my personal favorite players in the class, it’ll be good to see Martin healthy after missing a majority of the 2024 campaign. He’s healthy now and expected to be full-go in Mobile. There are few, if any defenders, that can match Martin’s explosiveness and athletic profile.
Thoroughly impressed with Oklahoma State LB Nick Martin (4).
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) July 12, 2024
Electric athlete, elite closing speed, a ballplayer that deserves consideration as one of the country’s premier LBs.
Not many defenders at any level that can chase down Xavier Worthy. 140 tkls last fall. pic.twitter.com/8uUKEgy3eF
Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State
A versatile athlete up front, like Martin above, it will also be good to see Oliver healthy. He appeared in just two games this season but is also expected to be prepped and ready to roll when practices begin Tuesday morning. A dynamic pass-rusher as well, Oliver’s ability to impact the game in a variety of ways will hold weight for teams.
Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
Get to know the name. A physical, instinctive run defender with an outstanding athletic profile, Knight is one of the premier downhill LBs in the class. The big things for him in Mobile will be his ability to stymie RBs and TEs in coverage, where he has room to grow.
Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Another highly athletic and versatile piece, Bassa was the de facto glue that held together one of college football’s top defenses in 2024. A rangy off-ball presence, Bassa’s ball production (three career INTs) has been a topic of conversation with scouts.
Jalen McLeod, Auburn
If you’re a running back, make sure you tighten up your chin strap when facing McLeod in one-on-one pass pro drills. A throwback type of linebacker whose intelligent type of violence remained evident on his tape, McLeod projects as a multiphase contributor (defense and special teams) early in his career.
Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
A former five-star recruit and a Butkus Award (nation’s top LB) watch list nominee prior to the season, Mondon’s range and ability to stack-shed will impress throughout the week. An uber-experienced second-level athlete with 1,700-plus snaps under his belt in the SEC, he projects as an early contributor for an NFL defense and one of the premier LBs in the class.
Justin Barron, Syracuse
For those unfamiliar with Barron, flip on his tape against Stanford or NC State to see a ‘backer that FLIES around to the football. One of the more versatile defenders in the class, Barron has heavy amounts of snaps at safety, middle linebacker, and in the slot.
Eugene Asante, Auburn
Another hybrid linebacker on this list, it’ll be a big week for Asante as a player who has all the tools and traits of an NFL contributor but has to marry his athletic profile with the nuances and technicality it requires to play at a high level on Sundays. If he’s able to reel everything in, he’s a starter on Sundays with a blend of twitch and physicality defensive coordinators covet.
Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota
Lindenberg has one of the highest-performance floors at the position. He’s a sure tackler, excellent in IDing run-blocking concepts, and has the range to make plays in the fringe areas. Similar to JD Bertrand (Atlanta Falcons) from last year’s Senior Bowl, Lindenberg’s leadership, communication, and playmaking ability will hold weight for teams in search of a potential green dot in the middle of their defense.
Karene Reid, Utah
A call-up from the Hula Bowl a few weeks back, Reid is the poster child of what you get from players out of Utah’s program. Athletic, versatile, well-coached, high effort, you know exactly what you’re going to get with anyone who has had the privilege of working under Utes HC Kyle Whittingham.
Shemar James, Florida
A native of Mobile (Faith Academy HS), the week at the Senior Bowl will hold a little extra weight for James as he dives into the pre-draft process. He remains an underrated name in the LB class but is a ballplayer who has a chance to elevate his stock immensely with a solid week. Considering how he succeeds in regards to his athleticism and versatility, along with how the LB position continues to evolve, James could evolve into a core piece for a team down the line.
Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Similar to his former teammate in South Bend, JD Bertrand, Kiser projects as a multi-phase contributor and a player who’ll lead a defense into an alley fight. He may not be the most athletic or coverage savvy, but his experience as the anchor within one of college football’s top teams this year showcases a bonafide leader within a front seven. Good on him for showing up to compete just days after facing Ohio State in the CFP title game.
