Taking a closer look at the linebackers who performed well at the 2025 NFL Combine.
On Thursday, the interior defensive linemen kicked off the televised coverage of the 2025 NFL Combine , followed by the standout edge rushers , and the linebackers wrapped up the day. Not all of the 10 linebackers we recommended Detroit Lions fans keep an eye on participated in measurables or on-field drills, but five of them had top-level performances and two new names caught our attention.
Let’s take a look at the seven linebackers who stood out on Day 1.
Jihaad Campbell, SAM/WILL, Alabama (6-foot-3, 235 pounds) was the big winner from the linebacker group and likely solidified his spot at the top of group rankings. His 4.52 second 40-yard dash and 10-foot-7 broad jump were among the best of his peers. In on-field activities, he was balanced and clean, seamlessly working through drills with proper technique. His acceleration is drool-worthy, as he ramped up and throttled down his speeds at freaky levels, illustrating that he was in total control of his actions. Campbell’s pass rushing background showed up in EDGE drills, easily separating himself from others, specifically with the power and placement of his hands.
Demetrius Knight Jr., WILL South Carolina (6-foot-1 1⁄2, 235) ran a 4.58 40-yard dash and his speed showed up in on-field drills. He covered a lot of ground when moving laterally and showed an ability to ramp up his speed when closing. While he didn’t always look natural in drills, he was always maximizing his effort and working hard for every inch.
Chris Paul Jr., WILL, Mississippi (6-foot-1, 222) ran a 4.63 40-yard dash, which is right on the median for linebacker times. He was very compact in his movements, which allowed him to stay under control, and his acceleration gave him the opportunity to show that he plays faster than he runs in a straight line. His lateral movement stood out and will translate at the next level.
Smael Mondon Jr., WILL, Georgia (6-foot-2, 224) ran a 4.58 40-yard dash, but blew people away with a 10-foot-10 broad jump, illustrating his explosive traits. I wrote down “balanced” three times in my notes because it was easily noticeable, regardless of the drills. He transitioned well between skills, showing off his lateral agility and attacking speed.
Kobe King, MIKE/WILL, Penn State (6-foot-1, 236) didn’t make the pre-Combine watchlist, but his workout displayed why the Lions brought him in for a formal meeting. His lateral movements in space were very good, as his quick feet allowed for more immediate change-of-direction. But King isn’t just quick, he is also fast and he did a nice job varying his speeds, though he did throttle down more than needed in certain ball drills. Overall, his feet and tenacious attacking approach showed him in a positive light.
Collin Oliver, SAM, Oklahoma State (6-foot-2, 240) ran a 4.56 40-yard dash, while nailing a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-6 broad jump. As an experienced pass rushing linebacker, I was interested in his pass rushing skills, and while he was able to maintain his speed when bending low, I was surprised that his hand usage was subpar. While there are some pass rushing traits, I thought his movements mirrored those on an off-the-ball linebacker. Overall, Oliver didn’t look complete as either a pass rusher or off-the-ball linebacker, but the athleticism is there, and there are traits to build on for each role.
Kain Medrano, WILL, UCLA (6-foot-3, 222) didn’t enter the Combine with much hype but his athleticism stood out. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash of the day (4.46) regardless of group, and he showed off a lot of potential. His transitions were clean, his movements were easy, and he maintained his speed throughout the workout. Multiple times during the broadcast, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah brought up Medrano’s special teams promise, and when you combine that with his workout and measurables, he has a chance to hear his name called during the draft.