Risers In The CFB Saturdays College Football LB Rankings

With a few weeks of the season in the books and an opportunity to see how players have developed we have 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 who have made big moves up in the rankings.

Zaven Collins – Tulsa

Zaven Collins is not a surprise to Tulsa fans. They have watched the star linebacker fill up the stat sheet for two seasons already. The rest of us are just catching on as we watch the junior elevate his game to another level in 2020. Collins has all the physical traits a linebacker could ever need, he is 6’4″ 260 lbs and has the speed, burst and change of direction skills of a much smaller player. Collins has the length and technique to shed blocks and the instincts to find the football. Collins impacts the game on all three downs and in every way a linebacker can, he rushes the passer well, plays the run effectively and is an asset in pass coverage. The result is a player who has thrust himself into the conversation as one of the best at the position.

Collins was productive as a freshman and sophomore, but his junior season has blown that production out of the water. Collins has played in three games this year and has already been credited with 22 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, a fumble forced and a quarterback hurry. Collins has already set career highs for sacks and interceptions and is 2 tackles for loss away from another career high. He is the leader of a Golden Hurricane defense that has limited opponents to just 18.3 points per game while playing Oklahoma State and UCF this year. Collins was already a good player, but he has continued to improve and is entering the upper echelon of college football players.

Owen Pappoe – Auburn

Owen Pappoe was one of the best linebacker recruits in the 2019 recruiting class and one of the top recruits Auburn signed that cycle. In his second year with the team, Pappoe has emerged as a consistent performer for the Tigers. Pappoe is an athletic linebacker who is excellent in pursuit of the ball carrier. Don’t let the athleticism distract you from Pappoe’s advanced technique and feel for the game. He does a good job or reading his keys and reacting quickly to get in position to make the play. He has elite closing speed and is able to get downhill quickly and make plays in the backfield. Auburn’s KJ Britt has missed time with an injury this season, but Pappoe has done an excellent job of leading the defense and making plays in his absence.

Pappoe has played in all five games for the Tigers this season and has been a presence all across the field. He has made 47 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and an interception already this season. He was productive with Britt on the field but has upped his game since the injury to the senior linebacker and has made double digit tackles in every game since. Pappoe is a blossoming player and his impact will only increase as he becomes more comfortable in the scheme and confident in his abilities. Owen Pappoe is on his way to fulfilling his potential as one of the best linebackers in the college football.

Jarell White – Cincinnati

Jarell White was listed as a 5’9″ 175 lb running back recruit coming out of high school. He made the switch to linebacker and got bigger and stronger but is still undersized for a linebacker. White is currently listed at 5’10” 205 lbs on the Cincinnati roster, but he plays a much bigger game than that. White has the speed to play from sideline to sideline, which allows him to be a tackling machine in the Bearcats’ defense. He is an excellent defender between the tackles as well. He reads and reacts quickly and beats blockers to the point of attack with his athleticism. White is effective in coverage, doing a good job of covering in a man or zone scheme. White may be undersized, but there is little on the football field he does not do well.

As the leader of the Cincinnati defense, White has been excellent in 2020. The Bearcats have one of the best defenses in the country through five games, allowing just 12 points per game. For his part, White has made 49 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss with 1 sack and 1 pass breakup, in those five games. He leads the team in tackles, making more stops than the next two players on the team combined. The senior has transformed himself from a three star running back recruit to an all conference linebacker who has a future in the NFL. White is one of the best linebackers in the country and a integral part of one of the best defenses in college football.

Nakobe Dean – Georgia

Nakobe Dean was one of the jewels in Georgia’s 2019 recruiting class. Dean saw playing time as a true freshman but has flourished as a starter in his sophomore season. It’s not a surprise that Dean has succeeded, with his tools it always felt like just a matter of time until Dean became a mainstay on the Bulldogs defense. He is a well built 6’0″ and 220 lbs and plays with power and speed. Dean is excellent in pursuit of the football and covers a lot of ground for the Georgia defense. He has proven himself to be an effective blitzer, who can pressure the quarterback. Dean is an all around linebacker who has the instincts and athleticism to be a star for the Bulldogs.

Georgia has a strong defense that has impact players at each level. With several players ranked among the best at their position and good depth behind them it’s difficult for individual players to standout. Dean has found a way to make his presence felt on a defense full of stars. In five games this season, Dean has accounted for 34 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 4 quarterback hurries. Dean has already produced more this season than he did in the whole season in 2019. Dean is well on his way to becoming a star for the Bulldogs, Georgia fans should be excited they still have another season with Dean before he can move on to the NFL.

Noah Taylor – Virginia

Noah Taylor is a do-it-all linebacker for the Cavaliers who brings versatility to the Virginia defense. Taylor has lined up as the edge defender in the Virginia 3 – 4 front, as a more traditional linebacker in the box and in coverage over slot receivers. Taylor has even seen a few snaps as a free safety or outside cornerback this year though those situations are few and far between. At 6’5″ 225 lbs, Taylor has size and length on the outside, but he also has the athleticism and fluidity to be an asset in coverage situations. With his athleticism and length, Taylor is able to contribute in many ways on defense and allows the defense to mix up looks to confuse the offense.

Taylor’s value is not just measured in stats because his ability to matchup in different ways allows his teammates to stick to the things they are more comfortable doing. Taylor has covered receivers downfield, blitzed off the edge and been used as a read and react linebacker against the run this year. Through six games, he has tallied 33 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss including 2.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups and a fumble forced. The success in coverage as well as the ability to be disruptive in the backfield shows how well rounded and athletic Taylor is. As he continues to hone his skills, expect him to continue to grow into one of the best players at the position.

Click here for the Top 25 LB Rankings.

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