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Summer Scouting: Top FCS LB Prospects To Watch In The 2027 NFL Draft
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- Summer Scouting: Top FCS LB Prospects To Watch In The 2027 NFL Draft
Illinois State linebacker Tye Niekamp (46) | Illinois State Athletics
The linebacker position may not be viewed as a premium position, but teams are smart to allocate resources here if they can find a good player. The FCS linebacker position has produced four draft picks since 2020. In that span, there haven't been any All-Pro or Pro Bowl selections, but there have been a couple of players who carved out a solid niche for themselves in the league.
Teddye Buchanan (UC Davis) was drafted by the Ravens with the 129th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and had a strong rookie campaign before getting injured in Week 15. He finished with 93 tackles (49 solo), 0.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Marte Mapu (Sacramento State) was picked by the Patriots with the 76th overall pick in the 2023 draft and has become a quality rotational player. He has totaled 89 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 12 pass breakups, and 3 INTs in his career.
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The 2027 class of linebackers has different skill sets, scheme projections, and body types. Some prospects play a good amount of edge rusher reps, but may have to transition to the linebacker position due to size. The EDGE/LB versatility is a major plus for teams, so the upside with this group is of quality.
Due to the versatility of a few prospects, we have included some of our top EDGE players in this list below. We take a look at the top FCS linebacker prospects to watch in the 2027 NFL Draft class.
Tye Niekamp (Illinois State)
Height:6025
Weight:243 lbs
2025 Stats:160 tackles, 79 solo, 16 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 10 PBUs, 1 FF, 1 FR (17 games)
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Strengths
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Good size for the position
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Strong run diagnostic skills
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Attacks puller with violence
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Effective blitzer
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Shows good burst breaking on the football in coverage
Lance Rucker (North Dakota)
Height:6020
Weight:239 lbs
2025 Stats:64 tackles, 34 solo, 15 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, 4 FFs, 1 FR, 2 BLKs (14 games)
Strengths
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Very good first-step burst with explosive get-off
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Outstanding lateral quickness
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Excellent bend
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Strong run defense instincts
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Violent, active hands
Michael Wells (Youngstown State)
Height:6023
Weight:241 lbs
2025 Stats:50 tackles, 25 solo, 15 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, 2 FFs, 2 FRs (13 games)
Strengths
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Positional versatility to play off-ball linebacker, edge rusher, and overhang
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Smooth lateral mover
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Balanced pursuit angles to the ball carrier
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Quick diagnostic skills as a run defender
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Shows good range as a run defender
Gabriel Stephens (Howard)
Height:6026
Weight:230 lbs
2025 Stats:16 tackles, 10 solo, 4.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR (12 games)
Strengths
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Outstanding movement skills
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Excellent twitch and lateral quickness
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Outstanding closing burst
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Comfortable dropping into shallow coverage
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Excellent bend
Cruz Hepburn (Idaho)
Height:6004
Weight:221 lbs
2025 Stats:71 tackles, 50 solo, 6 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 FF (12 games)
Strengths
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Physical, downhill playstyle
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Explosive downhill trigger
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Delivers powerful contact to oncoming blockers
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Adequate zone awareness
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Effective blitzer
Biggest Games To Watch In 2026:
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Tye Niekamp vs. Northern Illinois (Sep. 12)
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Cruz Hepburn vs. Utah (Sep. 3)
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Gabriel Stephens vs. Indiana (Sep. 12)
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Gabriel Stephens vs. Rutgers (Sep. 25)
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Lance Rucker vs. Nebraska (Sep. 19)
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Michael Wells vs. Kentucky (Sep. 5)
Early FCS LB Superlatives:
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Best Instincts:Tye Niekamp (Illinois State)
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Best Run Defender:Tye Niekamp (Illinois State)
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Best Tackler:Cruz Hepburn (Idaho)
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Best Coverage Linebacker:Cruz Hepburn (Idaho)
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Best Blitzer:Tye Niekamp (Illinois State)
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Best Athlete:Gabriel Stephens (Howard)
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Best Range:Gabe Stephens (Howard)
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Highest Ceiling:Lance Rucker (North Dakota)
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Most NFL-Ready:Tye Niekamp (Illinois State)
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/fcs as Summer Scouting: Top FCS LB Prospects To Watch In The 2027 NFL Draft .
