Rivals Rankings Radar: Outside linebackers
Rivals.com
There are currently two five-star outside linebackers and the potential for a couple more to move into that exclusive club. Each of the top-ranked outside linebackers have a lot to prove this season and the result could be a major reshuffling of the rankings when the season ends. Take a look at what some of the Rivals analysts are watching and who they think could end up as the No. 1 outside linebacker in the Rivals100.
MORE: OUTSIDE LB RANKINGS | How will the RB rankings change? | Can Georgia land two five-star tight ends?
CLASS OF 2020 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals100 | Position | Team | State
ADAM FRIEDMAN
Three of the top five outside linebackers are from my region and there will likely be some movement after the season. Georgia commit Mekhail Sherman is at the top of the list right now and he is coming back from tearing his ACL last season. Physically, Sherman looks nearly the same as he did prior to the injury but two games into his senior season he is playing more defensive end than linebacker. His combination of size and speed in the open field along with being a major pass rushing threat off the edge from a standing position made him so dangerous. We haven’t seen too much of that this season.
Chris Braswell is having a great season and continues to show the quickness and pass-rushing skills that make him a five-star. He doesn’t play in space too much right now, but it’s very easy to see he has the ability to do so. Auburn commit Trenton Simpson is one of the best all-around athletes in this class. He’s built like more of a true outside linebacker as opposed to an "edge" player. Simpson’s speed and size are exactly what you’re looking for at that position and he is definitely in the five-star discussion for the next rankings update.
At this point, Braswell has the momentum to end up as the top-rated outside linebacker, but Quandarrius Robinson has a lot going for him as well.
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CHAD SIMMONS
Quandarrius Robinson is a player I am seeing soon this season, and I have very high expectations. He has grown into an elite edge rusher after starting his high school career as a long, rangy safety. He has started to fill out his frame, he is showing explosiveness off the edge and the Alabama commit is in that five-star discussion. It is a very strong group of outside linebackers at the top, with Robinson being one of the best.
