On Thursday at the NFL Combine, all eyes were on the linebackers as they showcased their skills during the on-field testing. This position group could be pivotal for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they head into the offseason.
The Jaguars' strategy will largely hinge on Devin Lloyd's free agency decision. Should Lloyd decide to move on, James Gladstone, the team's decision-maker, will need to evaluate how much faith he has in players like Ventrell Miller, Jack Kiser, or Jalen McLeod to step up alongside Foye Oluokun. Alternatively, he might see the need to bring in more competition to solidify the unit.
Let's dive into the standout performances from the linebackers in each combine event.
Top 5 Linebackers in the 40-Yard Dash
- Sonny Styles, Ohio State: Blazed through with a 4.46
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU: Close behind at 4.47
- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas: Clocked in at 4.51
- Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh: Finished at 4.53
- Namdi Obiazor, TCU: Matched Louis with a 4.53
Top 5 Linebackers in the Vertical Jump
- Sonny Styles, Ohio State: Leapt an impressive 43.50"
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU: Soared to 40.00"
- Karson Sharar, Iowa: Also hit 40.00"
- Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh: Reached 39.50"
- Jake Golday, Cincinnati: Cleared 39.00"
Top 5 Linebackers in the Broad Jump
- Sonny Styles, Ohio State: Dominated with 11'2"
- Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh: Hit 10'9"
- Keyshaun Elliot, Arizona State: Managed 10'5"
- Jake Golday, Cincinnati: Also landed at 10'5"
- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas: Matched with 10'5"
Top 5 Linebackers in the 3-Cone Drill
- Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech: Showed agility with 6.90
- Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh: Close at 6.97
- Jimmy Rolder, Michigan: Finished at 7.00
- Xavian Sorey Jr., Arkansas: Also at 7.00
- Jake Golday, Cincinnati: Timed at 7.02
Top 5 Linebackers in the Shuttle
- Jack Kelly, BYU: Quick with a 4.19
- Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech: Matched at 4.19
- Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh: Right there at 4.26
- Jimmy Rolder, Michigan: Also at 4.26
- Sonny Styles, Ohio State: Hit 4.26
These performances not only highlight individual athletic prowess but also provide a glimpse into the potential future stars of the NFL. For teams like the Jaguars, these insights are invaluable as they look to strengthen their roster and make strategic decisions in the upcoming draft.