2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker

8/19/23: Gray was one of the best linebackers in college football in 2022, and he was super productive for the Tar Heels. On the year, Gray recorded 144 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, six passes broken up and one sack. In 2021, he totaled 99 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble and three pass breakups.

8/19/23: Trotter had a superb 2022 season, making a lot of plays for the Tiger defense. He recorded 92 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, six passes broken up, one forced fumble, and one interception returned for a touchdown. It was only his first seasons as a starter, so he could be even better now that he has some experience. His father Jeremiah Trotter Sr., played 12 seasons in the NFL and was a four-time Pro Bowler whose his best seasons came with the Eagles and the Redskins.

8/19/23: Dumas-Johnson had an impressive debut as a first-season starter in 2022 with 70 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble and three passes broken up. He has a good skill set and could rise now that he has more experience.

8/19/23: Gallagher is a tough linebacker who has produced well for the Wildcats over the past two seasons. In 2022, he recorded 100 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and one pass broken up. Gallagher totaled 90 tackles and a sack in 2021.

8/19/23: Stutsman had a good 2022 season for the Sooners, recording 124 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and five passes broken up. He is a big linebacker who displayed good instincts as a sophomore.

8/19/23: In 2022, Ford played well for the Longhorns, totaling 119 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions and two pass breakups. It was an outstanding junior year for Ford, who had recorded 53 tackles in the previous season.

8/19/23: Kiser flashed some ability as a sophomore in 2021 with 45 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and four passes broken up. Those splash plays in pass coverage are very intriguing for the passing-driven NFL. He made less of an impact in that phase in 2022. If Kiser can come back to produce well in coverage while displaying tough run defense in 2023, he could really rise for the 2024 NFL Draft.

8/19/23: Mondon played well in 2022 in his first season of playing time, recording 76 tackles, one sack, one pass breakup and one interception.

8/19/23: Haladay was a productive defenders for the Spartans during the past two seasons, notching a lot of stops on ball-carriers. In 2022, Haladay amassed 120 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Showing good pass-coverage ability with movement skills and speed will be critical for Haladay to rise in 2023.

8/19/23: Bywater totaled 98 tackles, one sack, three interceptions and two passes defended in 2022. He had a solid 2021 campaign with 102 tackles and a sack. Bywater has good size for the NFL and needs to elevate his play as a junior.

8/19/23: Lawson flashed some ability as a redshirt freshman in 2022, recording 51 tackles and four passes broken up. He has a skill set with upside, so he has the potential to be a fast riser in his draft class.

8/19/23: Slopek was impressive in 2022, making a lot of plays for the RedHawks. On the year, he racked up 124 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defended. In 2021, he totaled 112 tackles, a forced fumble and six passes defended. Showing pass-coverage skills will be vital for Slopek to rise.

8/19/23: Reimer was a solid linebacker for Nebraska during the past two seasons, recording 90 tackles in 2021 and 86 stops in 2022. In each season, he notched an interception and five passes defended. Reimer could stand to have a jump in production as a senior.

8/19/23: Marshall was a backup at Georgia in 2022, recording 19 tackles and an interception before transferring to Alabama. He is expected to start for the Crimson Tide and has the potential to rise.

8/19/23: Heinrich flashed in 2021 with 99 tackles and .5 sacks. He was off to a solid start in 2022 before going down with a season-ending knee injury in the middle of October.

8/19/23: In 2019 and 2020, Ulofoshio looked like he had some upside and ability to grow into a playmaker, but that did not happen in 2021 and 2022, with injuries costing him the majority of those seasons. Ulofoshio has to have a healthy and productive senior year to rise.