Summer Scouting: Top FCS LB Prospects To Watch In The 2027 NFL Draft

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.

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)

Strengths

Good size for the position
Strong run diagnostic skills
Attacks puller with violence
Effective blitzer
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

Very good first-step burst with explosive get-off
Outstanding lateral quickness
Excellent bend
Strong run defense instincts
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

Positional versatility to play off-ball linebacker, edge rusher, and overhang
Smooth lateral mover
Balanced pursuit angles to the ball carrier
Quick diagnostic skills as a run defender
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

Outstanding movement skills
Excellent twitch and lateral quickness
Outstanding closing burst
Comfortable dropping into shallow coverage
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

Physical, downhill playstyle
Explosive downhill trigger
Delivers powerful contact to oncoming blockers
Adequate zone awareness
Effective blitzer

Biggest Games To Watch In 2026:

Tye Niekamp vs. Northern Illinois (Sep. 12)
Cruz Hepburn vs. Utah (Sep. 3)
Gabriel Stephens vs. Indiana (Sep. 12)
Gabriel Stephens vs. Rutgers (Sep. 25)
Lance Rucker vs. Nebraska (Sep. 19)
Michael Wells vs. Kentucky (Sep. 5)

Early FCS LB Superlatives:

Best Instincts: Tye Niekamp (Illinois State)
Best Run Defender: Tye Niekamp (Illinois State)
Best Tackler: Cruz Hepburn (Idaho)
Best Coverage Linebacker: Cruz Hepburn (Idaho)
Best Blitzer: Tye Niekamp (Illinois State)
Best Athlete: Gabriel Stephens (Howard)
Best Range: Gabe Stephens (Howard)
Highest Ceiling: Lance Rucker (North Dakota)
Most NFL-Ready: Tye Niekamp (Illinois State)

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