Newcomers In The CFB Saturdays College Football LB Rankings: 2021 Preseason

With the 2020 season in the books we have removed the linebackers who have moved on and updated the College Football LB rankings. A few notes before we discuss the rankings themselves.

• The rankings will be updated throughout the season.
• Players who have not played college football are not eligible for the rankings.
• Players are graded on their college ability, not their pro potential.
• We are judging players on their film, production and physical tools.

You can view the College Football LB Rankings here.

Here is a look at a few of the linebackers that have debuted in the rankings after a promising 2020:

Zakoby McClain – Auburn

McClain was a four star recruit in Auburn’s 2018 recruiting class and has improved his production as he has gotten more playing time over the course of his career. The speedy linebacker stepped into a leadership role in the linebacker room in 2020 after Chandler Wooten opted out and KJ Britt suffered an early season injury. McClain hit the ground running and recorded double digit tackles in five games during the season. McClain was a tackling machine for the Tigers, finishing the season with 113 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble forced and 2 QB hurries over 11 games.

McClain is not the biggest linebacker, listed at just 6’0″ 211 lbs, but he plays much bigger than his size. He is a violent tackler who does not hesitate to take the fight to bigger blockers and ball carriers. McClain has good short area quickness to close on plays quickly and has the speed to chase down plays from sideline to sideline. He also shows a good nose for the football and is able to diagnose the play and get to the ball carrier. McClain had a huge 2020 season and could build on it for a monster year in 2021.

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Edefuan Ulofoshio – Washington

Ulofoshio was not a highly regarded recruit, instead he walked on to the Washington football team and began his career as a special teams player. He played sparingly in 2018 but began to carve out a role for himself during the 2019 season. In 2020, Ulofoshio made the most of the Covid shortened season and showed he was ready to become a star. He recorded double digit tackles in three of the four games he got to play and broke up four passes in a season opening 27 – 21 win against Oregon. Ulofoshio became the leader of the Washington defense, accounting for 47 tackles with 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble forced in just four games for the Huskies.

The 6’0″ 230 lb Ulofoshio has the size to hold up against the run, but also has the speed and motor to pursue plays away from him. He is a fiery competitor who beats blockers with his combination of strength and explosiveness and arrives to make the play with force. Ulofoshio has a good feel for the passing game and is able to disrupt passing lanes and gets his hands on his share of throws. As you would expect from a former walk-on turned star, Ulofoshio has a relentless motor that shows in his effort on the field. 2020 was another step toward stardom for Ulofoshio who could be the Pac 12’s best linebacker in 2021.

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Ventrell Miller – Florida

Florida took another step towards the SEC Title in 2020 and Ventrell Miller was a big part of the team’s success. The fourth year linebacker saw his role continue to grow and responded with the best season of his career. Miller made double digit tackles in three games, including a 16 tackle, 2 tackle for loss performance against LSU in the regular season finale. Miller made plenty of big plays and was also a consistent tackler for the defense, recording 86 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups and a QB hurry over 11 games in 2020.

Miller is all of 6’1″ and 230 lbs and plays with a physical streak on the interior. He does not shy from contact and will fight through traffic to make the play. Miller is an explosive player who is effective shooting the gaps in blocking schemes and can close quickly on the ball carrier. He also has the speed and range to make plays on the perimeter. Miller has gotten better in coverage over the course of his career and if he continues to get better there he will take his game to another level.

Florida Gators Gear

Payton Wilson – NC State

Wilson was the crown jewel of North Carolina State’s 2018 recruiting class and redshirted his first year on campus. He began to see the field in 2019 and flashed his playmaking ability but in 2020 he took his game to another level. He turned in his best game of the season against Duke, making 19 tackles and intercepting 2 passes in a 31 – 20 win. Wilson led the team and finished fourth in the country in tackles while leading NC State’s defense during a bounce back season for the Wolfpack. For 2020, Wilson accumulated 108 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup and 6 QB hurries in ten games.

Wilson is a bigger linebacker at 6’4″ 240 lbs but moves with the speed and fluidity of a smaller player. He has good athleticism and quickness in pursuit on run plays or in coverage down the field. Wilson is effective in blitz situations where he uses his good burst and length to rush the passer or plug rush lanes. Wilson was very productive in 2020 and is already one of the best linebackers in country, but has the tools to get even better in 2021.

NC State Wolfpack Gear

Olakunle Fatukasi – Rutgers

With Greg Schiano returning to Rutgers in 2020, the program showed progress for the first time since Schiano left for the NFL. Fatukasi was one of the players who benefited the most from Schiano’s return and shined in the new defensive scheme. While he had a solid season in 2019, Fatukasi elevated his game to another level in 2020 and became a play-maker for the Rutgers defense. He recorded multiple tackles for loss in four of Rutgers’ nine games last year. All in all, Fatukasi finished the season with 101 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble forced and 2 QB Hurries over nine games.

Fatukasi is a powerful player at 6’1″ 234 lbs. He is smart player who recognizes plays well and understands his responsibilities on each play. He has a good first step and is able to put pressure on blockers before they are prepared to engage him. Fatukasi has the strength and athleticism to succeed rushing the passer or in pursuit on run plays. He is an excellent tackler who does not miss often. With his athleticism, feel for the game and high motor, expect Fatukasi to excel in 2021.

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For the complete Top 25 LB Rankings click here.

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Renovated Husky Stadium image taken by Oran Virivincy is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.