Las Vegas Raiders Summer Scouting: ILB Rankings

I broke down the 2027 scouting classes in my early summer scouting series, and the room has a ton of potential with a long list of potential standout players. I broke down the offense and defense in articles and I suggest reading those for a broad aspect of the room. The Raiders do have some talent on the interior OL, and I’d expect Las Vegas to add more in 2027 as John Spytek does. Las Vegas will likely be looking to add another linebacker in the 2027 draft after taking Tommy Eichenebrg and Cody

Lindenberg in the 2024 and 25 classes. Both are quality depth and elite special teams players, but the Raiders do lack linebacker depth after Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, with Dean being injury prone. Las Vegas will look to run 1-2 linebacker sets, and that limits their needs for a third backer, but the 2027 class focuses on a ton of depth, and Las Vegas can afford to keep adding talent to a position that’s seeing a rise in talent.

These rankings are extremely early, and they will evolve over not only the summer but the next 8-10 months throughout the season, and into draft season. Some lists will feature 10, 15, 20, or more ranked prospects but I’ll include others on the list below to note.

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1. Kyngston Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame – 6’3/230, R-So
   • The “anchor” of the Notre Dame defense, Viliamu-Asa is recovering from a torn ACL in late 2025, and if he’s healthy off the injury his 2026 season could be the one to skyrocket him into the top of the class fully. Viliamu-Asa is coming off a 2025 with 50 tackles, 8 TFL, and 3 sacks while adding an interception, 5 PBU, and 2 FF. An elite athlete, Viliamu-Asa is learning as a pass defense linebacker, but he’s an exceptional forward moving linebacker. The sophomore takes phenomenal run angles, fires downhill quickly, and his agility is elite. Viliamu-Asa plays physical, has a great frame, and he’s able to work off blocks well, with an ability to take down runners with ease having a sub 8% missed tackle rate in his career. Viliamu-Asa is an exceptional athlete, his hips are fluid, and he does a good job with his first and second steps able to turn and run with tight ends, slot receivers, and covers the ground well in zone. Notre Dame has produced good linebackers in recent years, and KVA should follow.
2. Sammy Brown, Clemson – 6’2/240, Jr
   • A former top recruit, Brown has followed his high school film up with two strong seasons at Clemson with a career 186 tackles, 25 TFL, and 10 sacks with another 8 PBU, an INT, and forced fumble. Brown is stout, he’s physical, aggressive, smart, and pretty much every other trait you want in a linebacker. Brown has elite play recognition, he fires on the ball, and shows an incredible first step trigger with good long speed as well to play sideline to sideline. Brown is strong, he’s able to work off defenders, stay consistent in coverage with good physicality, and also tackles exceptionally well, though there’s some inconsistent angles or over pursuit as well due to his aggression. I’d also like to see him better his game in terms of play action, double moves, and turn down the immediate reaction as he’s athletic enough to take a second to react instead of try to be proactive 100% of the time. A freak athlete, Brown pairs that with intelligence, and if he can find consistency there’s a super high ceiling.
3. Ben Roberts, Texas Tech – 6’3/25, R-Jr
   • The Red Raiders lost standout linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, and likely improved at the position. While Roberts may not have the turnover production of Rodriguez, he’s an exceptional player as well. Roberts has a career 280 tackles, 15 TFL, and 5 interceptions with another 6 PBU and 7 FF in 42 games, and he’s a physical defender. Roberts is massive, and he’s strong. A good coverage defender as well, Roberts has fluid hips, good foot speed, and he diagnoses passing lanes well to get in front of the ball and make a big play. I do have some concerns at times with his long speed, not showing an ability to match with quicker receivers that can gain a step, and he also needs to do better with his hands to work off defenders. The Junior is extremely smart, understands both phases of the game, and stepping into the MIKE role will do a ton for his stock, good or bad.
4. Rasheem Biles, Texas – 6’1/220, Jr
   • Biles is a freak of nature and should be an impactful player for Texas. The former Pitt standout has 185 tackles, 32 TFL, and 10 sacks in his career with another 3 interceptions, 15 PBU, and 3 FF with 5 defensive touchdowns. I can knock Biles for his length issues only so much, and it might limit him in the SEC which will push him down. That said, Biles is an elite athlete, he’s a ball of lightning and he uses his speed/athleticism to his advantage to play a big nickel type role similar to previous Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis. Biles triggers to the ball well, has great hip and lower body flexibility, and he moves similar to a safety. Biles does struggle at times vs bigger tight ends and he can be pushed around in the box as well at times. There’s a ton of potential in diverse systems, similar to the Raiders, and if he can succeed in the SEC I’d expect a big year.
5. Cole Sullivan, Oklahoma – 6’3/320, Jr
   • Oklahoma has three linebackers that should all hear their names called in April of 2027 with Sullivan the top name. The former Michigan linebacker, Sullivan has an elite frame and he uses it to his advantage with exceptional length and strength to play both phases. Sullivan is smart, he pairs this with an elite first step, high end trigger, and good lateral agility to work thorugh defenders and slice through blocks. Sullivan has advanced hand combat skills, he shows the ability to have hand combat skills similar to pass rushers, and Sullivan also has elite lower body agility to dip and run the hoop while working through lineman with leverage. He’s a functional blitzer, but does best in coverage with good instincts, length, and an ability to breakdown passing lanes and windows. Sullivan will need to improve his overall tackling, and show more consistency, but the sky is the limit in a system that strains the linebacker.
6. Christian Alliegro, Ohio State – 6’4/245, R-Jr
   • Alliegro is tasked to replace Sonny Styles & Arvell Reese, and the former Wisconsin badger is coming off 53 tackles, 9 TFL, and 4 sacks in 2025. He has an elite size profile, with good length to pair with a ton of athleticism. Alliegro is an exceptional athlete, he fires off the snap, has the best trigger in the class, and Alliegro uses his athleticism to his advantage with good bend, hip flexibility, and twitch to beat lineman as a blitzer/run defender. Alliegro can use his athleticism in the pass game, with fluid hips and an ability to flip and run with defenders while showing an ability to seal passing lanes. He’ll struggle to come away with the ball, losing his angle, or being pushed out at times by tight ends which is surprising at his size. In the run game, I’d like to see Alliegro clean up the tackling, improve his angles consistently, and also limit how aggressive he is where there’s a ton of moments he’ll abandon his gap, over pursuit, or simply be out of position. Alliegro is an athlete, but his inconsistent mental game, though it should improve at Ohio State, could limit his future.
7. Kip Lewis, Oklahoma – 6’1/227, R-Jr
8. Austin Romaine, Texas Tech – 6’2/245, R-Jr
   • Elite run defender, will step into the WILL role with Roberts transitioning to MIKE. Great initial trigger, comes downhill quick, physical player. Needs to improve in the pass game, where he can have a hard time turning and running being a physical “thumper” at the position.
9. Chris Cole, Georgia – 6’3/235, R-So
10. Whit Weeks, LSU – 6’2/225, R-Jr
11. Colton Phares, Appalachian State – 6’2/230, R-Jr
    • Converted to linebacker from safety, could stay in college and transfer to the P4. Uber athlete, exceptional lower body agility, massive frame, and plays physical. Phares fires off the ball, has a quick second step, and he is physical enough to push through offensive lineman. Phares does well working backwards and forwards, relies on his athleticism, but also shows a natural understanding of the position. He’ll need to improve the overall tackling, taking some poor angles, and also struggling at times to wrap up due to experience at the position. Phares is able to turn and run with receivers, boxes out receivers exceptionally well, and his lower body athleticism will translate to the NFL with his instincts. A raw player, he logged 101 tackles, 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 INT, 8 PBU, and a FF in his first full season at linebacker.
12. Tony Rojas, Penn State – 6’3/235, R-Jr
13. Xavier Atkins, Auburn – 6’0/215, R-So
    • Extremely undersized, elite linebacker in terms of athleticism and mental traits. Similar to Taurean York last year, fires downhill, smooth hips, plays with a high end intelligence at the position. Atkins comes downhill quick, fires through the offensive line, and he tackles well despite the size. Decent coverage player, can get moved around by most receivers/tight ends, also needs to do better in the box. A possible big nickel player in the NFL, extreme ubber athlete.
14. Amare Campbell, Tennessee – 6’0/230, R-Sr
15. Myles Graham, Florida – 6’1/228, R-So

Other Names To Watch:

• Arion Carter, Tennessee – Undersized linebacker, elite athlete, struggles in pass coverage. Lacks overall run defense but ultra athlete
• Owen Heinecke, Oklahoma – Raw player, new to the position, former lacrosse player (so new to sport also). Possible drafted player in 2026 but went back to school. 80 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 sacks in first year of linebacker.
• Gideon ESPN Lambron, Colorado – Transferred from Bowling Green, undersized stout run defender. Similar player to Elandon Roberts, struggles to turn and run in coverage. Average quickness backwards, elite moving forward. 119 tackles, 18 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FF in 2025.
• Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame – Elite athlete, can look lost at the position, needs to improve tendencies but athletically will translate
• Raylen Wilson, Georgia
• Antonio Watts, Louisville
• John Curry, Texas Tech
• Jordan Hall, Michigan State – Sleeper linebacker, smaller stout run frist linebacker with plus instincts
• Isaiah Glasker, BYU
• Jaylen Sneed, Notre Dame
• Qua Rassaw, Ohio State
• Peyton Seelman, UNC – Undersized athlete, high end run defender, transferred to UNC from Richmond.