The 2026 NFL Draft is over and teams are getting comfortable with their new draft picks. The next class of players is getting prepared now for another year of college football. Each position will be analyzed in the coming days. Here is the 2027 NFL Draft prospect watchlist: Linebackers.
Rasheem Biles, Texas Longhorns
Biles was a three-star recruit in the class of 2023 who signed with Pittsburgh out of Ohio. He didn’t play much in his first season, then broke out in 2024 with 82 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. His play helped the team win seven games. In 2025, Biles improved, tallying 101 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Pittsburgh took a step forward with Biles being a key part of the team, as they won eight games.
At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Biles is undersized for an NFL linebacker, much like his former teammate Kyle Louis. Biles is a great athlete and is able to match up in coverage very well. His ability to attack gaps and shoot downhill can help him get impact plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. He will need to add strength and clean up his missed tackles, but if Biles doesn’t work as a traditional linebacker he could work as a nickel player.
Sammy Brown, Clemson Tigers
In the class of 2024, Brown was a five-star recruit who signed with Clemson out of Georgia. He played well early in his career, registering 80 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Brown aided the Tigers in making the CFP that season. In 2025, Brown racked up 106 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He played well, even with Clemson struggling by their own standard.
He stands at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, giving him good size for an NFL linebacker. Brown is an effective blitzer, but also shows really good run defense because of his processing ability and quickness getting to the football. He can improve his coverage and show better eye balance in zone coverage.
Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss Rebels
Perkins was a five-star recruit in the class of 2023 who decided to stay in-state to play for Ole Miss. He had 38 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in his freshman season. In 2024, Perkins had a great season with 60 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, helping the team win 10 games. The 2025 season wasn’t quite as good as 2024, with Perkins racking up 81 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He did help Ole Miss make a run to the CFP semifinal.
At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Perkins is a severely undersized linebacker, especially for one that sees so much production rushing the quarterback. He is a great pass rusher and also has good versatility, as he shows good coverage potential. Adding strength is a must and he’ll need to shed better. There will be plenty of questions about how Perkins should be used by a defensive coordinator.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Viliamu-Asa was a four-star recruit in the class of 2024 who signed with Notre Dame out of California. He played immediately for the Fighting Irish, registering 37 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. In 2025, he had a larger role, delivering 48 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. His play helped Notre Dame to win 10 games.
He is 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, giving him decent size, but he can fill out his frame a bit more as well. Viliamu-Asa is good near the line of scrimmage defending the run and also as a quality quarterback spy. He has good range and can cover tight ends well. Viliamu-Asa has two ACL tears in his history, can finish tackles better and may struggle with shiftier running backs and wide receivers.
Whit Weeks, LSU Tigers
Weeks was a four-star recruit in the class of 2023 who signed with LSU out of Georgia. He played a bit as a freshman, as he had 49 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He made a bigger impact in 2024 with 125 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Weeks helped the team win nine games in 2024. The team regressed in 2025 as Weeks dealt with injury, but he finished with 31 total tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack.
At 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, Weeks has a good frame, but he needs to fill it out more for the next level. He is a tackle machine that really helps out against the run. His zone coverage his solid, as he has the ability to use his eyes well. Weeks will need to work on his man coverage and make sure he doesn’t overpursue and give up cutback lanes.
Other Draft Prospects
Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Bowen has had plenty of experience over the last few seasons for Notre Dame and has shown really good run defense and instincts at the position.
Amare Campbell, Tennessee Volunteers
Campbell started his career at North Carolina, then transferred to Penn State last season where he had over 100 total tackles. Now, he is suiting up for Tennessee with an opportunity to continue building his stock.
Chris Cole, Georgia Bulldogs
Cole may be the next great Georgia linebacker. After not playing a ton in 2024, he had 59 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2025.
Owen Heinecke, Oklahoma Sooners
Heinecke ended up getting more eligibility and pulled his name out of the 2026 NFL Draft very late. He has just one year of production, but he made plenty of plays and should be a good player on a good defense.
Austin Romaine, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Romaine had a solid start to his career at Kansas State, where he proved to be a good run defender. At Texas Tech he will help line up the defense and can try to help them get back to the CFP.
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