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Position/Conference Rankings
| Rank | O/A | Chng | Player/School | Ht/Wt | Elig. | BIO |
A box player who plays behind the defensive line, usually makes defensive calls.
In a 3-4 defense is considered an EDGE/blitzing player, in a 4-3 defense is a coverage and/or run-stuffing player.
An off-ball linebacker is usually the smaller of the two middle linebackers in a 3-4 system. These linebackers are more often in pass coverage and often act as the cleanup guy on running plays as opposed to the linebacker that makes first contact.
A hybrid role for a player who will be expected to both rush the passer and play linebacker.
Middle linebacker whose primary responsibility is filling gaps against the run; for 3-4 teams, the strong-side middle linebacker.
(3-4 teams only) Weak-side middle linebacker whose primary responsibility is filling gaps against the run.
Strong-side linebacker, primarily a run-stuffing backer.
Weak-side linebacker, sometimes called the 'run-and-chase' linebacker whose primary role is split between defending backs/receivers and stopping the run.
(Statistic) When the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.
(Statistic) When the quarterback loses possession of the football as a result of defensive contact.
(Statistic) When a defensive player affects the quarterback in a meaningful way.
A (generally rectangular) area ranging vertically from the offensive tackles approximately 5-8 yards.
The side of the offensive formation that does not include a tight end.
The side of the offensive formation that includes a tight end.
2026 Position Rankings
-- Off-Ball Linebackers --
Most Recent Update:
4/17/2026
Position Rank
1
Overall Rank
4
Sonny Styles
Ohio State
SR
Height:
6'5"
Weight:
244
Position Rank
2
Overall Rank
38
C.J. Allen
Georgia
JR
Height:
6'1"
Weight:
230
Position Rank
3
Overall Rank
56
Jake Golday
Cincinnati
RSR
Height:
6'4"
Weight:
239
Position Rank
4
Overall Rank
79
Kyle Louis
Pittsburgh
RJR
Height:
6'0"
Weight:
220
Position Rank
5
Overall Rank
143
Kaleb Elarms-Orr
+15
TCU
SR
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
234
Position Rank
6
Overall Rank
150
Harold Perkins Jr.
-15
LSU
SR
Height:
6'1"
Weight:
223
Position Rank
7
Overall Rank
182
Jack Kelly
+25
BYU
RSR
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
240
Position Rank
8
Overall Rank
209
Eric Gentry
+40
USC
RSR
Height:
6'7"
Weight:
221
Position Rank
9
Overall Rank
263
Xavian Sorey Jr.
Arkansas
RSR
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
228
Position Rank
10
Overall Rank
267
Kendal Daniels
Oklahoma
RSR
Height:
6'5"
Weight:
242
Position Rank
11
Overall Rank
295
Ernest Hausmann
NEW
Michigan
SR
Height:
6'1"
Weight:
226
Position Rank
12
Overall Rank
296
Jaden Dugger
+80
Louisiana
SR
Height:
6'4"
Weight:
250
Position Rank
13
Overall Rank
299
Wade Woodaz
+100
Clemson
SR
Height:
6'3"
Weight:
236
Position Rank
14
Overall Rank
300
Namdi Obiazor
TCU
SR
Height:
6'3"
Weight:
229
Position Rank
15
Overall Rank
329
Khalil Jacobs
Missouri
SR
Height:
6'1"
Weight:
228
Position Rank
16
Overall Rank
338
Erick Hunter
NEW
Morgan State
SR
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
224
Position Rank
17
Overall Rank
366
Jackson Kuwatch
Miami (OH)
RSR
Height:
6'4"
Weight:
232
Position Rank
18
Overall Rank
384
Parker Hughes
NEW
Middle Tennessee
SR
Height:
6'1"
Weight:
228
Position Rank
19
Overall Rank
385
Wesley Bissainthe
Miami (FL)
SR
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
225
Position Rank
20
Overall Rank
408
Caden Fordham
NC State
SR
Height:
6'1"
Weight:
230
Position Rank
21
Overall Rank
494
Keli Lawson
+150
UCF
RSR
Height:
6'5"
Weight:
220
Position Rank
22
Overall Rank
521
Mac Harris
South Florida
GR
Height:
6'0"
Weight:
235
Position Rank
23
Overall Rank
541
Javin Wright
Nebraska
RSR
Height:
6'4"
Weight:
230
Position Rank
24
Overall Rank
565
Bangally Kamara
Kansas
RSR
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
235
Position Rank
25
Overall Rank
598
Trent Hendrick
James Madison
RSR
Height:
6'0"
Weight:
234
Position Rank
26
Overall Rank
603
Trey Fields
North Texas
SR
Height:
6'0"
Weight:
220
Position Rank
27
Overall Rank
637
Triston Newson
Missouri
RSR
Height:
6'2"
Weight:
230
