Georgia’s Nolan Smith Headlines Defense At 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

Linebackers

For off-ball linebackers, Trenton Simpson (Clemson), with his 40-yard dash (4.43 seconds) and bench press (25 reps), and Drew Sanders (Arkansas) are the top two at the position.

Simpson showed enough athleticism to be able to run and chase ball carriers, cover the middle of the field, and get after opposing passers. With that versatility at his disposal, it is no wonder why is touted as a potential three-down linebacker that can also spy quarterbacks.

A later-round potential prospect like Owen Pappoe (Auburn) should have his name on draft boards rise due to testing alone (especially with a 4.39 40-yard dash and 29 reps on the bench press). Daiyan Henley (Washington State), DeMarvion Overshown (Texas), and Henry To’oTo’o (Alabama) are all potential day-two prospects that had good outings at the Scouting Combine.

Peter Jurich, of NFL Mocks, scouted Oregon linebacker, Noah Sewell, as he belongs in the tier right below the other linebackers mentioned as a potential round-two or three selection.

Hunter Haas scouted both Iowa prospects Lukas Van Ness (EDGE) and Jack Campbell (linebacker), both showing out at the Scouting Combine with their athletic scores and both should be potential first-round picks.

Jack Campbell has traditional linebacker size, listing at 6’5″ and 249 lbs. The senior was a tackle machine at Iowa as an inside linebacker, as he almost accumulated over 300 total tackles in three seasons (299 and started two seasons). His 4.65 40-yard dash was fine for his size, but his other testing stats stood out, like his vertical (top three with a 37.5″), broad (2nd at the position with a 10’8″), and first in the class at the 3-cone (6.74 seconds) and the 20-yard shuttle (4.24 seconds).

Lukas Van Ness is less experienced as a prospect as a pass rusher off the edge, however, as he was used more as a backup or situational pass rusher with the tools. The redshirt sophomore “Hercules” has solid arm length (34″) and possesses good size at 6’5″, 272 lbs. He didn’t start any games but in the two years he did play, Van Ness did show up on the stat sheet with 13 sacks as a bench player for Iowa. His 40-yard dash at 4.58 is good for his size and had the second best 3-cone (7.02 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.32 seconds).

Iowa does have other draftable players on defense, but one in particular in the secondary that is notable at cornerback and when that happens, it will be the first time since 2018 (in the past five drafts) it has happened.