2024 NFL Draft Prospects: 3-4 Outside Linebacker

7/7/23: Verse had a great start to open 2022, showing pass-rush ability and speed around the corner in a dominant performance versus LSU while recording three sacks and seven tackles. On the year, Verse recorded 47 tackles and nine sacks.

Team sources who have seen Verse in person say he is a good-looking kid with strength and athletic ability. They note he runs well, plays hard, and has impressive tools. However, they feel Verse is raw and not naturally instinctive. Those issues are not surprising considering the huge jump in competition that Verse made for 2022. However, he still impressed last season.

Verse started out his collegiate career at Albany before transferring to the Seminoles for 2022. At Albany, Verse was very undersized and added weight while switching from tight end to defensive end. Playing in 15 games over two seasons, Verse totaled 74 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, 14.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

7/7/23: With Will Anderson commanding attention on the other side in 2021, Turner had a phenomenal freshman debut for the Crimson Tide and showed serious pass rush potential – collecting 8.5 sacks. He also had 30 tackles and was rotating with other defenders. In 2022, Turner collected 37 tackles and four sacks, but he was far more disruptive than the numbers indicate. He has a good skill set with upside.

7/7/23: Trice put together an excellent sophomore season in 2022, recording 30 tackles and seven sacks. In 2021, he had 14 tackles and two sacks.

7/7/23: Robinson plays defensive end for Penn State, but for the NFL, he may have to move to outside linebacker given his size. If Robinson is any smaller than his listed numbers, he definitely will need be too small to play end on an every-down basis. In 2022, Robinson recorded 5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, two passes batted, one forced fumble and 26 tackles. Playing or Maryland in 2021, he totaled 19 tackles and two sacks.

7/7/23: As a redshirt freshman in 2022, Tuimoloau turned in a good season for the Buckeyes, showing an ability to produce big plays. He recorded 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two interceptions and two passes broken up on the year. Tuimoloau could rise for the 2024 NFL Draft if his pass-rush and sack production improve in 2023.

7/7/23: Sawyer flashed potential for the Buckeyes as a freshman in 2021 with 13 tackles and three sacks in a backup role. In 2022, he recorded 24 tackles, one pass defended and 4.5 sacks. Sawyer has a good skill set and upside, so the former five-star recruit could break out during 2023.

7/7/23: Bennett enjoyed a breakout 2022 season that included seven sacks, 34 tackles and two forced fumbles. He showed vast improvement over his underclassmen seasons. Bennett could stand to get stronger for the NFL. He will need to at least stay consistent with, if not build on, his 2022 season in 2023 to be an early-round prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft.

7/7/23: Tupuola-Fetui flashed pass-rush ability in the shortened 2020 season, recording seven sacks. The 2021 season was limited to only five games because of an injury from spring practice. In 2022, he returned to the field, but he was a rotational player who put up 4.5 sacks and 28 tackles. Tupuola-Fetui needs to produce more and stay on the field as a senior to rise.

7/7/23: Harvey showed some pass-rush potential in 2022, suggesting the upside to improve as he gains experience. Harvey recorded 5.5 sacks and 31 tackles in 2022. He could be better in 2023.

7/7/23: Strachan flashed intriguing ability in 2020 when he had 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 41 tackles in a breakout season. He was coming off a knee injury in 2019, but in 2021, his numbers dipped to 22 tackles and three sacks. In 2022, Strachan looked like he was finding his 2020 form, but a torn ACL ended his season after two games. Strachan has to stay healthy and productive in 2023.

7/7/23: Amaewhule totaled 23 tackles and two sacks in 2022. He played better in 2021, recording 5.5 sacks, and in 2020, when he had seven sacks. Amaewhule needs to have a big final season for the Miners.

7/7/23: Williams flashed in 2021, recording 17 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He looked like he had a lot of potential and upside, but Williams disappointed in 2022, recording only 13 tackles. He needs to earn more playing time and produce.