Copyright 2023 JW Media, LLC, parent company of Muscle & Fitness. 1) Shaquem Griffin, UCF (2018): 4.38 40-yard dash Shaquem Griffin rewrote the script and will be remembered for far more than his 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine. He needs to show strength and leverage as a run defender, and he must go with speed and quickness as an edge rusher. Instinctive and plays downhill in the run game. Warm-Up, Cool Down Stretch, and Core Blasts Included. Before the advent of the two-platoon system with separate units for offense and defense, the player who was the team's center on offense was often, though not always, the team's linebacker on defense. He needs to be strong in man coverage and excellent in zone coverage, knowing his responsibilities. Chris Barnard is a strength and conditioning coach at Strength Camp, a hardcore athlete training facility in St. Petersburg, Florida, as well as author of multiple performance programs. ACCESS TO THE TOP COMBINE FOOTBALL STRENGTH. The Pro Bowl is an annual all-star game with players selected by vote. To better understand this, I have created a list of starting middle and inside linebackers in the NFL today. Though, coaches will consider an athlete with a slower snap time if the athlete is more consistent. If there is a strong call, the linebacker on the strongside is called "Sam", while the linebacker on the weakside is called "Will". Dont let the fat stop you from enjoying family, friends, and football this Thanksgiving Weekend. Historically, some of the most impactful defensive players, such as Pro Football Hall of Fame members Lawrence Taylor, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Chuck Bednarik, Mike Singletary, and Ray Lewis, were linebackers. Linebackers can get pretty heavy in fact, Chiefs rookie Tanoh Kpassagnonstarted a game at outside linebackerat 289 pounds! A linebacker ( LB) is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Weight training is important for linebackers to improve their ability to detect and stop running plays. Players in this position line up several yards back from the line of scrimmage behind the defensive lineman, and is set-up in the middle of the linebacking corps. Strong on contact, can change the LOS.. Good knee bend. Linemen are typically about 314 lbs. Follow these fit women we're crushing on for inspiration, workout ideas, and motivation. Do You Really Need a Greens Powder in Your Life? College linebackers weigh an average of 233 lbs, which is about 74 lbs lighter than offensive linemen. He must be an active player who enjoys contact and be able to move the line of scrimmage more often than stalemating or losing ground. He must play with above-average pad level by demonstrating natural knee bend, and should have active hands against the pass rush, as well as be able to consistently keep defenders out of the pocket. That is just unheard of. The recruit should have proficient ability to throw receivers open and execute the back- shoulder throw. Your peak torque during the squat is higher - 17 repetitions. Great at picking off short passes through the middle, and while . It's changing. All Rights Reserved. My recommendation is to wait for any kind of specialization until you are nearing or at the college level. Generally, the primary responsibilities for both outside linebackers are to stop the run and rush the quarterback in passing situations, in which they line in front of the tackles like true defensive ends. He needs soft hands and can be one-dimensional as a blocker or receiver. Hand: 9.5. Our former college football coaches at NCSA came together to add the specific skill sets that college coaches are looking for in recruits based on their position and desired division level. A reliable estimate of your peak torque during the bench press is 12 repetitions. He must have exceptional lower and upper body strength. Shows the ability to take over a game defensively. Vanderbilt's Anfernee Orji set a high bar, jumping 38.5. linebacker - stout, muscular, strong, aggressive. This seems to be why their weights have risen accordingly. Explodes on contact, visibly changing the LOS or driving ballcarriers backward. Gazelles are jealous of some of these fastest linebacker speeds recorded at the NFL Combine in recent years. As such, linebackers play a hybrid role and are often the most versatile players on the defensive side of the ball; they can be asked to play roles similar to either a defensive lineman (such as stopping the runner on a running play) or a defensive back (such as dropping back into pass coverage). "We're part of history," said Rossi, the starting middle linebacker on Old Tappan's state title team last fall. May have not shown the production of an elite FBS Power 5 caliber recruit, but coaches at this level will still scholarship athletic high school linebackers as they believe they can coach them up into productive college players. For example, Percy Given of Georgetown is another center with a claim to the title "first linebacker," supposedly standing up behind the line well before Schulz in a game against Navy in 1902. Height. In zone coverage, the linebackers will generally drop into hook zones[clarification needed] across the middle of the field. Since the strong side of the offensive team is the side on which the tight end lines up, or whichever side contains the most personnel, the strongside linebacker usually lines up across from the tight end. Sudden star DaShaun White is expected to slide from weakside linebacker to Murray's spot in the middle. For other uses, see. Must be able to throw the deep out, comeback, dig and seam router with minimal loft, as well as throw the ball through the goalpost from the opposite 50-yard line. Inside I take you through a football specific training program that focuses on hypertrophy training, speed mechanics, and agility training so that you can. A study in 2013 measured body fat percentage at the NFL Combine. Average college football player size at RB: 510 / 202 lbs, Multiple years competing at an All-State level. Disclaimer: SportsLingo is an Amazon Associate and earns revenue from qualifying purchases. He can redirect and pursue plays downfield and shows skills in coverage. Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey ran the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds, the fastest recorded time for a defensive tackle since 2003 and likely clinching his status as a first-round Why is it so important to get my video to college coaches? Average college football player size for TEs: 62 / 224 lbs. The middle linebacker, or "mike" linebacker, is the anchor point in any good defense. The recruit must have a quick release off of the LOS, good vision and instincts, good hands and the quickness to make defenders miss. Average college football player size and RB: 59 / 196 lbs. The guys in the front row of a rugby scrum can be pretty big. Quarterback: 6-3, 210 Wide Receiver: 6-3, 210 Tight End: 6-4, 245 Runningback: Large enough to take punishment. Finally, they must be able to shed any kind of tackle attempt made by guards or centers and get to the quarterback. We think rugby flankers are the nearest equivalent position to linebackers. Linebackers are ever-evolving, but whats remained consistent is the need to be both shifty and explosive. Average college football player size for DB: 511 / 181 lbs. Active player thats constantly around the ball. Linebacker Speed Training Work. . Awards and varsity experience: These are going to be very dependent on the size of the recruits school and the competitiveness of their conference. He's a scheme-versatile middle linebacker, able to play in the 4-3 or 4-2-5 formation.. . The second-heaviest linebacker was Titans Kevin Doddat 277 pounds, and he is also a DE/OLB hybrid. The first day of the 2023 NFL Combine has come to an end, following some incredible performances from many of the draft's top defensive prospects. As of the end of the 2017-2018 season, Kuechly had made more than 800 tackles. While its important to have the size so that you can stop an oncoming run, building strength will also be give you the athleticism to play every pass. Finally, Ill run some comparisons against rugby. A survey of weights at the soccer World Cup in 2018 showed that soccer players were averaging at around 170 lbs. Teams say he interviewed well and is all football with great character and work ethic. This player should clearly stand out as very good in his play. No need to shy away from intimidating-sounding, polysyllabic exercises and just stick with curls. Nickerson wasn't just a one hit wonder though. The idea behind the 34 defense is to disguise where the fourth rusher will come from. Linebackers tend to be about 70 lbs lighter than offensive linemen in the NFL. 6-3.5. What are the responsibilities of an outside linebacker? Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers 10. Recruit should be a tough and fast runner with the ability to break multiple tackles and outrun defenders. The CDC says that American men average at about 196 lbs. Experience: multiple years competing at All-State level. This means following a strict regimen that progresses you specifically as a line-backer during the little bit of off-season you have. The biggest threat to middle linebackers comes when they are unable to contain running backs and wide receivers downfield. Average college football player size for DL: 63 / 270 lbs. Following his junior season, Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton opted to forego his senior season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Youve set the bar, and anything less than that isnt where you want to be. 221 lbs . There are two elements I like to focus on throughout the off-season with linebackers. Height Feet 6-0 Weight Lbs 225lbs College Junior Georgia Forty Time Secs 4.52 Player Summary Being the leader of the best defense in college football is enabling Nakobe Dean, to build a case for himself to be the first linebacker off. This shows the coach that an impartial measurer accurately captured these numbers, versus the recruit inventing them or taking them on imperfect equipment. Average college football player size for D3 WRs: 511 / 175 lbs, Average college football player size for NAIA WRs: 60 / 181 lbs. In terms of height, most middle linebackers fall between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall. Most linebackers don't reach or exceed 38 inches in vertical leap because they want to stay focused on the field rather than looking at their watch. For example, in today's NFL, one of the best mike linebackers is LukeKuechly, who plays for the CarolinaPanthers. Lets break down an actual football workoutthat a linebacker will need to follow for the off-season. In the case of a pass, he will drop to his appropriate responsibility, depending on the coverage called. Tony Twillie Former Contributor/writer, WhoDatDish.com, Saints site at FanSided (2016-2020) Author has 7.7K answers and 9M answer views 1 y Related Linebackers had a figure of 13.5%. "I think he is going to be huge at the combine," said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. He starred as a tackle and end, playing off the line in a style similar to that of a modern linebacker. In the 43 defense there are four down linemen and three linebackers. He shows burst and speed with quickness to bend the corner in pressure games. Active and causes havoc all around the field. He should also show potential as a special teams player. He also enjoys reading about sports history and learning about new techniques. Hence today one usually sees four defensive linemen to the offense's five or more. No linebacker in football has accomplished more in the last five years than the Panthers Luke Kuechly (pronounced KEEK-lee). In terms of height, most middle linebackers fall between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall. The terms middle and inside linebacker are often used interchangeably;[16] they are also used to distinguish between a single middle linebacker playing in a 43 defense, and two inside linebackers playing in a 34 defense. This is particularly due to the RPO trend (run-pass option) in football. What is a good size . What I can promise you, is the way you train these two elements will make an even bigger difference. Usually, teams that run a 34 defense look for college defensive ends that are too small to play the position in the pros and not quite fluid enough to play outside linebacker in a 43 defense as their "Jack" linebacker. ], In the East, Ernest Cozens of Penn was "one of the first of the roving centers,"[9] another, archaic term for the position, supposedly coined by Hank Ketcham of Yale. He can be relied on in man coverage against both RBs and TEs and is disciplined in route recognition. Why did Ross Tucker start Go Big Recruiting? A key for running this defense successfully is having a defensive front of three large defensive linemen who command constant double teams. Hardy Nickerson. The easiest way to get verified numbers is to go to a football combine, like the free Rivals adizero Combines hosted in various cities across the country. Insider tip: College coaches are always interested in seeing a recruits third-party verified height and weight. Recruits at a small school need to have all the accomplishments listed out belowand sometimes moreto get interest from college coaches. Vertical jumping, in theory, is a decent measure of explosive power. The 33rd Team Scouting Dept. As a contact sport, it is often compared with American football. [15] Often it is the middle linebacker who receives the defensive play calls from the sideline and relays that play to the rest of the team, and in the NFL he is usually the defensive player with the electronic sideline communicator. Defensive Captains with signal-calling experience are highly desirable for inside linebackers. The lightest NFL player is 155 lbs, wide receiver Deven Thompkins #83 a 5' 8" rookie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thats a significant increase. The recruit must be able to know all coverage and have quick feet. In the "Tampa 2" zone defense, the middle linebacker is required to drop quickly into a deep middle zone pass coverage thus requiring a quick player at this position. Have you considered where you stack up next to a Division 1 linebacker or quarterback? Outside line backers sometimes are considered to be pass players before they are run players. I like to have linebackers focus on short, high-intensity sprints. Offered on Feb. 27, 2023. Weight 218 lbs. Average college football player size for DB: 511 / 189 lbs. Each of the next two years he led the entire nation in tackles, earning consensus first team All-American honors and a slew of other awards. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Recruit should have a combination of size and speed and must change the LOS at the point of attack. When training in the off-season, you cant just train like any other time of the season You need to follow specific football workouts for linebackers. Squat: 445 lbs. Another great drill has you move forward/ in reverse and side to side going off a simple command. The results were surprising. Displays loose hips and great knee bend, plays under his pads. In the 46 defense, there are four linemen, three linebackers and a safety who is moved up behind the line of scrimmage. Runningback football recruiting guidelines NCAA Division 1FBS Average college football player size at RB: 5'10" / 202 lbs Should be a three-year varsity starter Multiple years competing at an All-State level Recruit should run with power, speed and balance and be able to pull away from defenders. Barbell hack squat, or barbell front squat. For example, the 43 defense has four defensive linemen and three linebackers; conversely, the 34 defense has three linemen and four linebackers. started at middle linebacker in 7-3 opening win over South Dakota State as defense allowed just 120 yards total offense . In standard defenses, middle linebackers commonly lead the team in tackles. This defensive position in football is responsible for relaying the defensive plays calls from the sidelines. Linebacker ( LB) is a playing position in gridiron football. Lions' starting middle linebacker last season. Knocks blockers and ball-carriers backward on impact. Stands blockers up and knocks ball-carriers backward on contact. What do you call a defensive tackle opposite the center? Weight: 238. Your peak torque during the deadlift is also high - 32 repetitions. Families who arent sure where their school lands on this spectrum should reach out to their current high school coach for more perspective. Unusually built for a middle linebacker at 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, he wreaked havoc as a blitzer, tying for first in the country at his position with 9.5 sacks and finishing third with 39 . What defensive position gets the most fantasy points? Thank you for signing up. He should be able to win with either speed and quickness or power as an edge rusher. He is the vocal leader in most defensive schemes, calling out formations and strengths and communicating adjustments. Access the linebacker training and drills bundle to get education on how to play LB for football. He has eight seasons in the NFL so far and has already not only made the Pro Bowl but also won two Super Bowl rings. Thus, it appears as if there are four linebackers, but it is really three linebackers with one safety playing up with the other linebackers. The workout below was designed by Panthers strength and conditioning coach Joe "Big House" Kenn. Average college football player size at QB: 61 / 198 lbs, Should be at least a two-year varsity starter. Many 34 defenses have the ability to quickly morph into a 43 on the field. In recent years, the average top linebacker draft choice has been roughly 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, with a 4.61 40-yard sprint, 4.36 second shuttle, and 35.1 inch vertical leap. Best Answer. Its important to have good structural integrity within your entire body so that you can withstand constant hits and tackle after tackle. Height / Weight: 6'2" 225 lbs. He needs soft hands, as well as the ability to stretch the field vertically. He needs to show the strength and leverage to control the line-of-scrimmage as a run defender. 8 Week Linebacker Weight Training Program. The more efficient your lower body is at producing power, the faster youll be. The average weight of linebackers in college football is 223 lbs, which is about ten pounds lighter than in the NFL. Experience: multiple years competing at All-Conference level. Solid knee bend. Cornerback is going to be a spot to watch no matter who is on the field, but one of the most intriguing prospects is Christian Gonzalez. At Boston College, he led his team and the ACC in tackles as a true freshman in 2009. It keeps you motivated, says Kuechly of his early success. Jobe Lewis is a high school football coach and a former NCAA Division I football player for New Mexico State University. Outside Linebacker. Defensive Captains with signal-calling experience are highly desirable for inside linebackers. With his eyes on the running back, the mike linebacker sees and keys on the linemen. Projected Round (2020): 1. Strong on contact. 2018+ Overtime Athletes. Average college football player size for D3 OL: 61 / 270 lbs, Average college football player size for NAIA OL: 62 / 273 lbs. Not to mention, your strength is often times what can save you in this sport. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. He also needs to be the fastest kid on the field and have the range to cover sideline-to-sideline. 1. Understands pursuit angles and can close time and space in an instant.