2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Inside Linebacker

October 21, 2023



*Walt taking 2014 and 2018

Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst

Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
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2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT – WALT’S | CHARLIE’S ROUND: 1

The top 2024 Inside Linebacker prospects available for the 2024 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2025 prospect. ** – denotes 2026 prospect.

This page was last updated Oct. 21, 2023. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

Send Charlie an e-mail here: draftcampbell@gmail.com

2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

1.

Marist Liufau, ILB, Notre Dame

Height: 6-2. Weight: 239.
Projected 40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2024): 1-2.

10/21/23: Liufauh has impressed team sources in 2023 and is off to a good start with 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. In 2022 as a first-season starter, he recorded 51 tackles, an interception, .5 sacks and a pass defended. Liufauh missed the 2021 season with an injury.

Pro evaluators say they love how Liufau is extremely fast and athletic. They labelled his instincts as good but not great, but he is very violent and can play stacked or rush the quarterback. They state he is a different kind of player with an exceptional skill set. Liufauh has three-down-starter ability and upside for the NFL.

2.

Barrett Carter*, ILB, Clemson

Height: 6-1. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

10/21/23: Carter has 30 tackles and one sack thus far this year. He had a strong 2022 season with 73 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and eight passes broken up. Carter has a good skill set with big-play ability and upside. If he stays consistent to his 2022 production, he should be a riser for the 2024 NFL Draft.

3.

Cedric Gray, ILB, North Carolina

Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2024): 1-3.

10/21/23: In 2023, Gray has 52 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble receivers, one interception and three passes defended. Team sources say Gray has good instincts but misses a lot of tackles. He’s not super athletic, but he plays downhill and runs well. They said they think he is a very good player overall with good size, length, and great football character. Multiple team sources project Gray to go on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he could sneak into the first round if he runs and tests well.

9/2/23: 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.

4.

Danny Stutsman*, ILB, Oklahoma

Height: 6-4. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

10/21/23: So far this year, Stutsman has 58 tackles, two sacks, an interception, a pass batted and a touchdown.

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.

5.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr.*, ILB, Clemson

Height: 6-0. Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

10/21/23: Trotter has 37 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception, two passes defended and a forced fumble so far this year.

8/30/23: 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.

6.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson*, ILB, Georgia

Height: 6-1. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

10/21/23: Dumas-Johnson has 23 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a pass defended so far this year. Team sources said they feel Dumas-Johnson has good instincts and plays strong.

9/2/23: 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.

7.

Tommy Eichenberg, ILB, Ohio State

Height: 6-2. Weight: 239.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.

10/21/23: This year, Eichenberg has 41 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Team sources say that Eichenberg is a good player who has a similar style of play to Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell. Campbell is not as big and strong, but a little more athletic.

9/2/23: Eichenberg broke out in 2022, recording 120 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception and three passes broken up. He is a solid run defender with a strong build. Showing pass coverage skills would help Eichenberg rise for the 2024 NFL Draft.

8.

Jaylan Ford, ILB, Texas

Height: 6-2. Weight: 238.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2024): 3-4.

10/21/23: This season, Ford has 40 tackles and two interceptions.

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.

9.

Jack Kiser, ILB, Notre Dame

Height: 6-2. Weight: 227.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2024): 3-4.

10/21/23: In 2023, Kiser has recorded 41 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

9/2/23: 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.

10.

Bryce Gallagher, ILB/OLB, Northwestern

Height: 6-2. Weight: 240.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round (2024): 3-4.

10/21/23: Gallagher has 55 tackles and an interception so far in 2023.

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.

11.

Ty’Ron Hopper, ILB, Missouri

Height: 6-2. Weight: 221.
Projected 40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round (2024): 3-5.

10/21/23: Hopper has 39 tackles, three passes defended and one sack so far in 2023.

9/2/23: Hopper was a solid linebacker for Missouri in 2022, recording 74 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and two passes defended. Prior to 2022, Hopper played at Florida, seeing a few starts while mostly rotating as a backup and special teams contributor. Hopper needs to show improved pass coverage and production in 2023.

12.

Smael Mondon Jr.*, ILB, Georgia

Height: 6-3. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2024): 3-5.

10/21/23: Mondon has 32 tackles and one pass defended thus far this season.

9/2/23: Mondon played well in 2022 in his first season of playing time, recording 76 tackles, one sack, one pass breakup and one interception.

13.

Cal Haladay*, ILB, Michigan State

Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2024): 3-5.

10/21/23: So far this season, Haladay has 41 tackles, an interception and two passes broken up.

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.

14.

Ben Bywater*, ILB, BYU

Height: 6-3 Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
Projected Round (2024): 3-5.

10/21/23: Thus far this year, Bywater has 32 tackles, a sack and pass defended.

9/2/23: 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.

15.

Deontae Lawson**, ILB, Alabama

Height: 6-1 Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2024): 3-5.

10/21/23: On the year, Lawson has 37 tackles, two sacks and one pass defended.

9/2/23: 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 for his NFL draft.

16.

Matthew Slopek*, ILB, Miami (Ohio)

Height: 6-1. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2024): 4-6.

10/21/23: Slopek has 69 tackles and a sack this year.

9/2/23: 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.

17.

Luke Reimer, ILB, Nebraska

Height: 6-1 Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round (2024): 4-6.

10/21/23: In 2023, Reimer has 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He has been out since late September.

9/2/23: 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.

18.

Trezman Marshall, ILB, Alabama

Height: 6-1 Weight: 230.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2024): 4-6.

10/21/23: Marshall has 40 tackles and 2.5 sacks thus far this year.

9/2/23: 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.

19.

Nick Heinrich*, ILB, Nebraska

Height: 6-3 Weight: 225.
Projected 40 Time: 4.77.
Projected Round (2024): 6-FA.

10/21/23: In 2023, Heinrich has two sacks and 24 tackles.

9/2/23: 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.

20.

Edefuan Ulofoshio, ILB, Washington

Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
Projected 40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round (2024): 7-FA.

10/21/23: Ulofoshio has 38 tackles, an interception and two sacks in 2023.

9/2/23: 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.

2023 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2025 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | NT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P