Knocks blockers and ball-carriers backward on impact. In zone coverage, the linebackers will generally drop into hook zones[clarification needed] across the middle of the field. Pursues well. What we know is that as a linebacker you need to be strong as hell, fast as hell, and mean as hell. Set up a series of hurdles or some plyo boxes and work on your high box jumps, which train hip extension/flexion. The average weight of NFL linebackers is 245 lbs in recent years. The mike linebacker is generally big, strong and hard-nosed. Speed to Set Point In edge pressures, linebackers must attack the set point of the tackle as violently and quickly as possible. Solid knee bend. . Why is it so important to get my video to college coaches? Players in this position line up several yards back from the line of scrimmage behind the defensive lineman, and is set-up in the middle of the linebacking corps. The table below has the raw data for average weights: If you want more details about the other positions, check out these in-depth articles: College football players arent as heavy as professional NFL players, but theyre still very big. They started off being pretty similar to what they are now. Smith was measured at 6-foot, 7/8 inches and weighed 236 pounds. Class Fr. He needs to be strong in man coverage and excellent in zone coverage, knowing his responsibilities. A key for running this defense successfully is having a defensive front of three large defensive linemen who command constant double teams. D1 programs prioritize a snap time that is .75 or better. Squat: 445 lbs. [12], In professional football, Cal Hubbard is credited with pioneering the linebacker position. For linebackers, the average shuttle time is 4.3 seconds, average 40 is 4.71 seconds, and the average broad jump is 9 feet, 8 inches. How do I pick which schools to send my Go Big profile to? [15] Often it is the middle linebacker who receives the defensive play calls from the sideline and relays that play to the rest of the team, and in the NFL he is usually the defensive player with the electronic sideline communicator. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage and the defensive linemen. He must be comfortable running all routes, possess very good ball skills and a willingness to block. Must have a kickoff average of at least 65 yards, field goal range of 55 yards or more and a hang time of 3.8 seconds. [citation needed]. In standard defenses, middle linebackers commonly lead the team in tackles. The former Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker demonstrated his ability to make plays from the position while also took a huge step forward as a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Middle linebacker. what age you should start training for youth athletes. In the case of a pass, he will drop to his appropriate responsibility, depending on the coverage called. From there he entered the NFL draft and was picked ninth overall by the Carolina Panthers, then won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. Whereas, athletes at larger powerhouse schools might not need to be a multi-year varsity starter to get some looks. Your peak torque during the deadlift is also high - 32 repetitions. In terms of height, most middle linebackers fall between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall. "They do question my weight a . The linebackers had to follow suit to be effective in covering them. Projected 40 Time: 4.69. Besides "Mike", other nicknames such as "Sam", "Will", or "Jack", are commonly used to refer to various linebacking roles. Most outside linebackers do around 50 lifts per week, while inside linebackers usually work with 75-100 lifts per week. Multiple year All-State selection with some recognition by national recruiting media on the high end. He should play with excellent pad level by demonstrating natural knee bend, as well as have a devastating hand punch against pass rush and be able to lock on defenders and control them. This article is about the position in American and Canadian football. Multiple year All-State selection with some recognition by national recruiting media. All of these drills are perfect for football workouts since they force you to develop explosiveness in the hips and the strength to toss around running backs. A study in 2013 measured body fat percentage at the NFL Combine. Typically, sumo training begins at 5:00 a.m. with shiko -- leg stomping exercises -- to teach wrestlers how to maximize their balance and core strength to overcome opponents. Weve got an article that compares whether NFL players are bigger than rugby players. With time in the weight room to add the ability to win strictly with power, Anderson may ultimately be a diverse defensive-line weapon for the Colts. In previous eras, middle linebackers were exemplified by such hard, grizzled veterans as Ray Nitschke, a football Hall of Famer, who spent 15 years playing for the dominant Green Bay Packers and striking terror into the heart of opposing offenses. You may be thinking that the Pro Bowl may not be representative. Linebackers are significantly heavier than the average joe. Knocks blockers and ball-carriers backward and/or off their feet. He should consistently gain ground with first step, win at the point of attack and stop ball carriers in their tracks. Many 34 defenses have the ability to quickly morph into a 43 on the field. [13], The middle or inside linebacker (MLB or ILB), sometimes called the "Mike" or "Mac",[14] is often referred to as the "quarterback of the defense". He should have an instant release off the LOS with low pad level and little wasted movement, a burst into the route, one-step cuts, impeccable catching ability and the ability to separate himself from defenders with rare top end speed and elusiveness. Quarterback: 6-3, 210 Wide Receiver: 6-3, 210 Tight End: 6-4, 245 Runningback: Large enough to take punishment. Because of his position on the weakside, the Will does not often have to face large interior linemen one on one unless one is pulling. Another great drill has you move forward/ in reverse and side to side going off a simple command. The recruit must have a quick release off of the LOS, good vision and instincts, good hands and the quickness to make defenders miss. Average college football player size for OL: 63 / 285 lbs. Understands pursuit angles and can close time and space. This is a lot closer to the 245 lbs linebacker average. Recruits should have proficient ability to throw receivers open and execute the back-shoulder throw. Defensive Captains with signal-calling experience are highly desirable for inside linebackers. His role is to captain the defensive effort and call the defensive plays. Vanderbilt's Anfernee Orji set a high bar, jumping 38.5. Linebacker strength is constantly being put to the test, no matter what technique you play. He needs soft hands and can be one-dimensional as a blocker or receiver. Not only is the OLB responsible for outside containment and blitzing the QB, but they also have to perform pass coverage in the flats sometimes called a drop. . The average linebacker weight reduced from 248 lbs in 2001 to 237 lbs in 2009. I wont go into this in detail in this article. Top 10 NFL Middle Linebackers 10. Interestingly, they are not a whole lot bigger than quarterbacks. He should also show potential as a special teams player. He should have soft hands and be able to stretch the field vertically. He needs to show the strength and leverage to dominate along the line-of-scrimmage as a run defender. Different techniques will be more efficient than others each week. Flashes ability to stand blockers up and also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact. Copyright 2020 - 2023 Sportsmanist Inc. What is the average size of an NFL middle linebacker? Weight: 232 pounds; Tony Pauline's Nick Bolton Scouting Report. Active player flashes decent movement. The recruit must be active against both the pass and the run. Smaller players tend to get overpowered by an offensive lineman, and bigger players are often too slow to pass. Average college football player size at QB: 62 / 207 lbs, Multiple years competing at the All-State level. The 2023 NFL Combine got underway for the Oregon Ducks on Thursday, with both DJ Johnson and Noah Sewell hitting the field for some drills and getting their measurables taken. He shows strength and explosiveness on contact. Must be able to catch the ball well out of the backfield and provide pass protection. He needs to be strong in man coverage and excellent in zone coverage, knowing his responsibilities. A mike linebacker has to be big, strong, and able to be a physical tackler play after play. Strong on contact, can change the LOS.. Good knee bend. Copyright 2023 JW Media, LLC, parent company of Muscle & Fitness. The idea behind the 34 defense is to disguise where the fourth rusher will come from. Linebacker Speed Training Work. Very similar to a quarterback on offense, the middle linebacker is, quite literally, in the center of all things that happen on defense. The Pro Bowl is an annual all-star game with players selected by vote. Access the linebacker training and drills bundle to get education on how to play LB for football. While quarterbacks have their hands on every play on offense to lead their teams to victory, it's much tougher for players to control the game by sheer force of will. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Linebacker&oldid=1135356293, This page was last edited on 24 January 2023, at 04:37. Linebacker measurements More From DraftKings Nation The middle linebacker's job is to stop runs between the tackles and watch the entire field to see the play develop. As I mentioned in the introduction, linebackers are the second heaviest players in the sport. The Will usually aligns off the line of scrimmage at the same depth as Mike. For example, in today's NFL, one of the best mike linebackers is LukeKuechly, who plays for the CarolinaPanthers. Height: 6'1 (50th) Weight: 221 (6th) 40-Yard Dash: N/A Bench Press: N/A Vertical Jump: 37 inches (75th) Broad Jump: 124 inches (87th) 3-Cone Drill: 6.80 seconds (93rd) 20-Yard Shuttle: 4.15 seconds (85th) Bio: A product of Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah graded as a three-star outside linebacker during the 2017 recruiting class, according to 247sports.com . 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Linebackers tend to be about 70 lbs lighter than offensive linemen in the NFL. Average college football player size for DL: 62 / 259 lbs. Why did Ross Tucker start Go Big Recruiting? Average college football player size and RB: 59 / 196 lbs. To build on an explosive first step, I always love to have my football workouts include some type of vertical jump training for overall power. Active and causes havoc all around the field. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. However, some zones will send the outside linebackers into the flats (area directly to the left and right of the hash marks, extending 45 yards downfield). Must average 40 yards or more and have a hang time of 4.5 seconds. He must be athletic enough to pull and get up field. You would need to lift 70 percent of your peak force to succeed on one attempt at lifting 150 pounds. College linebackers weigh an average of 233 lbs, which is about 74 lbs lighter than offensive linemen. Here is the raw data captured in the graph above: This all averages out at 237 lbs in 2009. They usually come from athletic families and that seems to help them make the transition from offense to defense easily. He should be able to stretch the field vertically and can find the open window in zone or separate from man coverage. His central role on the field means he is in the best position to call defensive plays and direct shifts and changes based on what the offense is doing. Avg. Experience: multiple years competing at All-Conference level. [citation needed], The weakside linebacker (WLB), or the "Will" in 43 defense, sometimes called the backside linebacker, or "Buck", as well as other names like Jack or Bandit,[14] must be the fastest of the three, because he is often the one called into pass coverage. We pulled data from all NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA football teams rosters for the past five years. Warm-Up, Cool Down Stretch, and Core Blasts Included. Thats nine pounds heavier than the average for linebackers. Instinctive and plays downhill in the run game. All rights reserved. They are also responsible for blitzing the quarterback. He is a run-stuffing middle linebacker who will need to develop his pass-coverage skills. In addition, SportsLingo may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from other affiliate networks. Nothing's a hard, fast rule, and there are a few NFL linebackers this short. But that depends on where they are lined up, if they are outside of the box of the defense then they will be pass first players, but if they play inside the box lined up behind the defensive end then they are typically a run player. Flashes solid instincts in the run game. The average weight of linebackers in college football is 223 lbs, which is about ten pounds lighter than in the NFL. Average college football player size for DB: 511 / 189 lbs. 12 tackles vs. SDSU, . . He displays fluid hips and good knee bend and plays under his pads. Average college football player size for DL: 62 / 252 lbs. Average college football player size for TEs: 63 / 228 lbs. [1] Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards (4 m) behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen. Comes in all sizes. Outside line backers sometimes are considered to be pass players before they are run players. A mike linebacker has to be big, strong, and able to be a physical tackler play after play. He has worked with athletes at all levels and from many different sports to produce the highest level of performance in each. A linebacker ( LB) is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. This will allow you to read a teammate and react, exactly what a linebackers job is. Must have a kickoff average of at least 5065 yards, field goal range of 45 yards or more and a hang time of 3.4 seconds. All Area/District and Multi-Year All Conference. Thats a significant increase. This defense is effective at run-stopping but is weaker than a 43 defense at pass coverage because it uses only three defensive backs. On pass plays, the linebackers' responsibilities vary based upon whether a man or zone coverage is called. But they are significantly below offensive linemen who clock in at a whopping 24.6%. Weight 218 lbs. Average college football player size for WR: 60 / 181 lbs. He needs soft hands, as well as the ability to stretch the field vertically. This takes an extremely powerful lower body foundation, a stable core, and a strong upper body. The average American male ranges from 18 to 24%. His strength was great, ranking among the top . You could imagine him as governor of Iowa someday. Average college football player size for LB: 60 / 217 lbs. Typically All Conference or minimum 1 Year Varsity Starter. The recruit must be instinctive and productive against both the run and the pass at an All-State level for three or more years. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Lift Like a Linebacker for More Size and Strength, Healthy (and Tasty) Tips for Your Super Bowl Party, 4 Proteins You Should be Eating, But Probably Arent. He should be able to win with either speed and quickness or power as an edge rusher. Recruit should have a combination of size and speed and must change the LOS at the point of attack. All Area/District and Multi-Year All Conference. The recruit should be the best athlete on the field! This is particularly due to the RPO trend (run-pass option) in football. Think of taking on lead blockers and shedding them immediately. Average college football player size at QB: 61 / 199 lbs, Multiple years competing at the All-Conference level. Live to 100 With these Blue Zone Lifestyle Changes, Steve Howey talks 'True Lies' and His Fitness Evolution, Angela Gargano Is Helping Women Pullup to Higher Levels, For Manning Sumner, Accountability Leads to Consistency, Heart Surgery Helped Derek Drake Find His SuperMotoCross Beat. Inside I take you through a football specific training program that focuses on hypertrophy training, speed mechanics, and agility training so that you can. Often the strongside linebacker will be called upon to tackle the running back on a play because the back will be following the tight end's block. Tony Twillie Former Contributor/writer, WhoDatDish.com, Saints site at FanSided (2016-2020) Author has 7.7K answers and 9M answer views 1 y Related Active and causes havoc all around the field. Stands blockers up and knocks ball-carriers backward on contact. Recruit should run with power, speed and balance and be able to pull away from defenders. . Who is the lightest NFL Player? The recruit should have a combination of size and speed and must change the LOS at the point of attack. Whether its Jesse Owens in Berlin, Muhammed Ali in Rome, Mark Spitz [Read More], Everyone has heard it: a mid-game buzzer that simultaneously causes cheering or disappointment, excitement or dread, depending on which team you're [Read More], Browse Our Sports Dictionary For The Latest Sports Terms & Jargon. If youre interested in more comparisons, check out our article that compares rugby and football players in terms of lifting weights.. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. By the way, linebackers are about four percent lower than defensive linemen. Lions' starting middle linebacker last season. Your information has been successfully processed! Linebacker Drills. Linebackers are some of the most intense players in football, and with all the new schemes today athletes are coming in all different shapes and sizes. In recent years, the average top linebacker draft choice has been roughly 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, with a 4.61 40-yard sprint, 4.36 second shuttle, and 35.1 inch vertical leap. Muscleandfitness.com is part of a360media Fitness & Health Network. Also, these inside line backers are often called on a blitz which is when no matter what the offense does, as soon as that ball is snapped they are shooting their gap and trying to get into the back field to make a play as fast as possible. A survey of weights at the soccer World Cup in 2018 showed that soccer players were averaging at around 170 lbs. Strongest Man Competition (2006) | NFL Pro Bowl Skills Challenge NFL 10.9M subscribers Subscribe 16K 2.3M views 6 years ago Larry Allen, LeCharles Bentley, Lorenzo Neal, Joey Porter, Shaun Rogers,. Outside linebackers must be ready to shift positions and erupt into action since they must adjust to new plays more quickly than other positions. The recruit must be one of the most physical players on the field; he should move the line of scrimmage by 2 yards consistently. [citation needed] Most defensive schemes call for three or four, which are generally named for the number of linemen, followed by the number of linebackers (with the 46 defense being an exception). In the 43 defense there are four down linemen and three linebackers. Hawk. Thank you for signing up. While that doesn't sound like much, consider that a typical middle linebacker in the NFL is usually around 250 pounds and can jump 36 inches high for a defensive player on the free safety position. Vertical leaps range from 30.8 inches to 39.7 inches, with a 35.1 inch average. Vincent Jarrett is an avid sportsman, and he loves to play basketball, tennis and golf. What are the responsibilities of an outside linebacker? The second-heaviest linebacker was Titans Kevin Doddat 277 pounds, and he is also a DE/OLB hybrid. However, many players who play this position weigh at least 220 pounds, so they can still be fast enough to cover running backs and tight ends downfield. Before the advent of the two-platoon system with separate units for offense and defense, the player who was the team's center on offense was often, though not always, the team's linebacker on defense. While its important to have the size so that you can stop an oncoming run, building strength will also be give you the athleticism to play every pass. Thus, it appears as if there are four linebackers, but it is really three linebackers with one safety playing up with the other linebackers. Displays loose hips and great knee bend, plays under his pads. Linebackers are divided into middle linebackers, sometimes called inside linebackers, and outside linebackers. The middle linebacker, often called "Mike", is frequently the "quarterback of the defense". He must be able to read the offense. As a linebacker, your training needs should match your game and a carefully thought out routine will give you the strength, speed, and power to take on championships. ACCESS TO THE TOP COMBINE FOOTBALL STRENGTH. Can match up with anyone and run them down. Hometown Cedar Falls, Iowa. This can also take away the ability of the offense to pull the guards on a running play, because this would leave one of the defenders unblocked, or, at best, give another lineman a very difficult block to make on one of the defenders.