NFL Draft Stock Report: Linebackers

With the college football season winding down, we take a look at some of the NFL prospects who have helped or hurt their stock for April’s draft and those who remain stock steady. We continue today with the linebackers.

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Recruiting: On Signing Day, Smith committed to UCLA, but did not sign and fax his letter of intent. He decided to reopen his recruitment and less than two weeks later, Smith picked Georgia over the Bruins, Michigan and Texas A&M.

Stats: Smith leads the Bulldogs in tackles by far with 82 stops through 10 games. He also has 4.5 tackles for loss including 2.5 sacks and 10 quarterback pressures.

Farrell’s take: Smith has emerged as the best quick twitch option at linebacker in the entire draft and scouts are overlooking his lack of length. When Smith decided not to head west and delayed his recruitment, I didn’t think a ton of it because I was still iffy on how effective he would be at the next level. Man, was I wrong. He’s an absolute terror, and you could argue that no linebacker in the country arrives to the football faster. He’s a quick-twitch kid, has added good size and someone will covet him highly as a terrorizing outside linebacker.

Recruiting: Okoronkwo was committed to Oklahoma State since the summer before his senior season, but in December he switched his commitment to Oklahoma. Okoronkwo was ranked as a defensive end in high school.

Stats: Okoronkwo is second on the Sooners with 58 tackles including team-highs with 16 for loss and eight sacks. He has also added three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Farrell’s take: A potential hybrid guy, Okoronkwo is a terrific pass rusher and is being looked as a specialist in that regard. He didn't have great size out of high school, but he could get around the edge, was sneaky strong and powerful. He ran track, was a weight room warrior and, as a flip from Oklahoma State, he was an important get in the 2013 class. He has played above his ranking this season and has the athleticism to convert from end to linebacker in the NFL. His non-stop motor and energy makes him a leader on the Sooners' defense.

Recruiting: During a ceremony at his high school, Jefferson committed to Texas along with teammate DeAndre McNeal. Texas A&M and UCLA were Jefferson’s other finalists.

Farrell’s take: Jefferson looked out of place and slow in the Maryland opener and since then has been lights out showing great anticipation and quickness to the ball. Jefferson was a fun kid to cover, a driven player who made sacrifices like pushing through family hardship to play in the Under Armour All-America Game when he could have easily gone the local U.S. Army All-American Bowl route. Jefferson was a five-star and he has certainly delivered for Texas. His early impact was a surprise, but the fact that he’s become a defensive leader in season three is not surprising at all.

Recruiting: In the spring before his senior season, Kiser committed to Virginia over Maryland. The Cavaliers were considered the front-runner for a while.

Stats: Kiser leads Virginia with 106 tackles including eight stops for loss and five sacks. He has also added two fumble recoveries and four pass breakups.

Farrell’s take: Kiser’s production has been impressive and scouts like his size and scheme versatility. He was a high three-star for us after starting off as a four-star because at times his production was underwhelming in high school, and he looked out of position. He also wasn’t that long. That being said, a high three-star ranking is nothing to sneeze at, but he’s overcome a lot and has emerged as a terrific inside linebacker. The angles and false step issues he had in high school are gone from his game.

Recruiting: In the middle of his senior season, Baker flipped his commitment from Florida to Ohio State. He announced his decision on Twitter by saying, “Ohio … I’m staying home.”

Stats: In nine games this season, Baker is third on the Buckeyes with 44 tackles including 4.5 for loss and two sacks. He has also added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Farrell’s take: Baker is a terrific athlete but has been way too inconsistent this year, missing too many tackles and scouts have noticed. He wasn’t that tall or long, but he was sudden, explosive and arrived at the ball with a thump. His instincts were off the charts, and he played bigger than his size and continues to do so. He’s an effective blitzer when needed.

Recruiting: Shortly before National Signing Day, Gustin committed to USC over Arizona State, Ohio State and Utah. January visits to his other three finalists could not sway Gustin, who visited USC often during the recruiting process.

Stats: The former five-star has only played in four games this season because of a foot injury. He has totaled 16 tackles along with three sacks.

Farrell’s take: Gustin has missed time with injury this season and that has hurt his stock a bit. He was a tall and massive linebacker in high school and a guy we could have easily projected to defensive end. He had excellent speed for his size, he was powerful and he was very good getting after the passer. One of the better jumbo athletes in the 2015 class, we projected him at inside linebacker but he could play with his hand down as well.