They are the "middle ground" of defenders, playing closer to the line of scrimmage than the defensive backs (secondary), but farther back than the . Linebackers can get pretty heavy in fact, Chiefs rookie Tanoh Kpassagnonstarted a game at outside linebackerat 289 pounds! So for me, its keep going, take coaching, work hard in the weight room and on the field, and keep myself at that level.. No linebacker in football has accomplished more in the last five years than the Panthers Luke Kuechly (pronounced KEEK-lee). When training in the off-season, you cant just train like any other time of the season You need to follow specific football workouts for linebackers. Defensive Captains with signal-calling experience are highly desirable for inside linebackers. Copy. But coaches arent just recruiting athletes based on their sizethey also have a list of skills those recruits need to have based on their position. High School Cedar Falls. 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. Flashes decent knee bend. What I can promise you, is the way you train these two elements will make an even bigger difference. He should have soft hands and be able to stretch the field vertically. Weight. Understanding the Cover 3 Zone Defense in Football, The Pocket in Football - Definition and Explanation. Do You Really Need a Greens Powder in Your Life? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Wiki User. 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 . What sets Miller apart from other defensive players in the league is his speed for a man his size: The 6'3", 250-pound linebacker put up a 4.49-second 40-yard dash time in his pro day workout,. But suffice it to say that the offensive tactics make for both bigger tight ends and faster rushers. All Rights Reserved. Average college football player size at RB: 510 / 202 lbs, Multiple years competing at an All-State level. As such, linebackers play a hybrid role and are often the most versatile players on the defensive side of the ball; they can be asked to play roles similar to either a defensive lineman (such as stopping the runner on a running play) or a defensive back (such as dropping back into pass coverage). So, lets look at a study from the Bleacher Report in 2009 that examined weights across the NFL franchises. Stats: 40yd: 4.6 Bench: 315 lbs. Coach Keys: Shows the ability to take over a game . Each of the next two years he led the entire nation in tackles, earning consensus first team All-American honors and a slew of other awards. Runningback football recruiting guidelines NCAA Division 1FBS Average college football player size at RB: 5'10" / 202 lbs Should be a three-year varsity starter Multiple years competing at an All-State level Recruit should run with power, speed and balance and be able to pull away from defenders. 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. Arm: 32.38. Lets take a look at the turn of the century. Jobe Lewis is a high school football coach and a former NCAA Division I football player for New Mexico State University. Sewell has increasingly rare size for an off-ball linebacker in today's NFL at 250 pounds, a topic he said has come up in combine interviews with teams this week. They are also responsible for blitzing the quarterback. Over this training period, the intensity should progressively increase while the volume decreases. For example, in today's NFL, one of the best mike linebackers is LukeKuechly, who plays for the CarolinaPanthers. The first day of the 2023 NFL Combine has come to an end, following some incredible performances from many of the draft's top defensive prospects. He can get off blocks and make plays and show consistent ability to make plays in coverage. [citation needed]. He seems destined to be a team captain in the NFL. The average weight of NFL linebackers is 245 lbs in recent years. Generally, the primary responsibilities for both outside linebackers are to stop the run and rush the quarterback in passing situations, in which they line in front of the tackles like true defensive ends. ], In the East, Ernest Cozens of Penn was "one of the first of the roving centers,"[9] another, archaic term for the position, supposedly coined by Hank Ketcham of Yale. Heres why each of these are important to include: These guidelines arent going to answer every question on how good you need to be, but they are meant to be used as just that: guidelines. The easiest way to get verified numbers is to go to a football combine, like the free Rivals adizero Combines hosted in various cities across the country. "They do question my weight a . 12 tackles vs. SDSU, . The safety, like the linebacker, can blitz, play man-on-man, play zone, or drop back into deep coverage like a normal safety would do. Among All-Pro linebackers, Chandler Jones weighs 265 pounds, but Luke Kuechly is "only" 238. Three of the defensive linemen are over both of the offensive guards and the center, thereby making it difficult to double team any one of the three interior defensive linemen. In the 34 defense three linemen play the line of scrimmage and four linebackers back them up, typically two outside linebackers and two inside linebackers. Must have a kickoff average of at least 55-60 yards, field goal range of 50 yards or more and a hang time of 3.6 seconds. Mike linebacker - The middle linebacker in a 4-3 defense. On pass plays, the linebackers' responsibilities vary based upon whether a man or zone coverage is called. Thats why I recommend not leaving these things up to chance. The back gives him his direction, and the linemen tell him if the play is a run or pass. How a linebacker plays their position depends on the defensive alignment, the philosophy of the coaching staff, and the particular play the offense may call. Weight training is important for linebackers to improve their ability to detect and stop running plays. The linebackers had to follow suit to be effective in covering them. There is a seventeen-pound difference in the step up from college into the pro game. Players at this position need great speed and agility because they must cover receivers who run full speed after the ball is thrown. The Pro Bowl is an annual all-star game with players selected by vote. College linebackers weigh an average of 233 lbs, which is about 74 lbs lighter than offensive linemen. You should be able to pick up a book off the floor without reaching for it. For a varsity middle linebacker the average is about 210lbs, but this has to be mostly lean muscle mass. Pursues well. He also needs to be the fastest kid on the field and have the range to cover sideline-to-sideline. You would need to lift 70 percent of your peak force to succeed on one attempt at lifting 150 pounds. He also needs to be the fastest kid on the field and have the range to cover sideline-to-sideline. D1 FBS TEs should demonstrate explosive physicality; they can find the open window in zone and separate from man coverage. For example, the 43 defense has four defensive linemen and three linebackers; conversely, the 34 defense has three linemen and four linebackers. Average college football player size for TEs: 63 / 228 lbs. Height / Weight: 6'2" 225 lbs. As of the end of the 2017-2018 season, Kuechly had made more than 800 tackles. The recruit must be instinctive and productive against both the run and the pass at an All-Conference level for one to two years. 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. His strength was great, ranking among the top . He can redirect and pursue plays downfield and shows skills in coverage. In the 46 defense, there are four linemen, three linebackers and a safety who is moved up behind the line of scrimmage. Linebackers actually got smaller in the first ten years of this century. The recruit should have a combination of size and speed and must change the LOS at the point of attack. Average college football player size for DL: 62 / 259 lbs. At his weight, he needed to at least be in the middle, if not towards the top. The terms middle and inside linebacker are often used interchangeably;[16] they are also used to distinguish between a single middle linebacker playing in a 43 defense, and two inside linebackers playing in a 34 defense. We pulled data from all NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA football teams rosters for the past five years. A key for running this defense successfully is having a defensive front of three large defensive linemen who command constant double teams. A study in 2013 measured body fat percentage at the NFL Combine. . The average weight of linebackers in college football is 223 lbs, which is about ten pounds lighter than in the NFL. Knocks blockers and ball-carriers backward on impact. Outside linebackers are often in a position to blitz, a defensive maneuver where the player rushes into the offensive backfield to disrupt a running play or sack the quarterback on passing plays. "I think he is going to be huge at the combine," said NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. Its interesting to compare this with the difference in weights between linemen in college and the NFL. 1. The names of the two inside line backers are often called Sam and Mike and these two are lined up about four yards from the line of scrimmage and are lined up with the offensive guard. Very similar to a quarterback on offense, the middle linebacker is, quite literally, in the center of all things that happen on defense. All Area/District and Multi-Year All Conference at a minimum. He should be able to block and catch from the backfield. No need to shy away from intimidating-sounding, polysyllabic exercises and just stick with curls. what age you should start training for youth athletes. Linebacker (LB) is a playing position in gridiron football. For example, Percy Given of Georgetown is another center with a claim to the title "first linebacker," supposedly standing up behind the line well before Schulz in a game against Navy in 1902. The recruit should be able to win with speed, quickness and power as an edge rusher. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Average college football player size for OL: 63 / 285 lbs. Middle linebacker - 6 ft. 0 in. However, there are various historical claims tied to the linebacker position, including some before 1904. Hawk. 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. Recruit should run with power, speed and balance and be able to pull away from defenders. Football is one of those sports where people often wonder what age you should start training for youth athletes. It is commonly used in high school football. The recruit must have an instant release off the LOS with low pad level, a burst into the route, one-step cuts, outstanding catching ability and the ability to separate himself from defenders with his speed. This takes an extremely powerful lower body foundation, a stable core, and a strong upper body. The recruit must be able to know all coverage and have quick feet. Additionally, the mike linebacker is involved in most tackles on defense, either instigating the initial contactor helping with the defensive play. Another great drill has you move forward/ in reverse and side to side going off a simple command. The size of a collegiate long snapper will vary by each coachs preference and their special teams (i.e. [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. They started off being pretty similar to what they are now. Quarterback: 6-3, 210 Wide Receiver: 6-3, 210 Tight End: 6-4, 245 Runningback: Large enough to take punishment. Check out our article on the average weight of linebackers to find out more. NCAA Division 1FCS recruiting guidelines, NCAA Division 3 and NAIA recruiting guidelines. The inside line backers are often more of a run player so they will defend the run before they will the pass. This player should clearly stand out as exceptional in his play. In a man-to-man call, the "Sam" will often cover the tight end with help from a safety over the top, while at other times, the "Sam" and "Will" will be responsible for the first man out of the backfield on their side of the center, with the "Mike" covering if a second man exits on that side of the field. May have not shown the production of an elite FBS Power 5 caliber recruit, but coaches at this level will still scholarship athletic high school linebackers as they believe they can coach them up into productive college players. There are also times where the mike linebacker is assigned to cover the running back out of the backfield on either side. The recruit must show skills in both zone and man coverage and can match up with the best athlete on the field. 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. Average college football player size for OL: 64 / 297 lbs. He's a scheme-versatile middle linebacker, able to play in the 4-3 or 4-2-5 formation.. . Usually, teams that run a 34 defense look for college defensive ends that are too small to play the position in the pros and not quite fluid enough to play outside linebacker in a 43 defense as their "Jack" linebacker. 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. The recruit must be instinctive and productive against both the run and the pass at an All-Conference level for at least one year. 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. To learn more about kicker recruiting guidelines, click here. Working towards heavier lifts with longer rest period proves difficult for your nervous system which is good news: the more you stress the body, the more it adapts and grows stronger to overcome new efforts. Average college football player size for OL: 62 / 282 lbs. The guys in the front row of a rugby scrum can be pretty big. About the only individual award he hasnt won is a Super Bowl MVPand hes working on it. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Hardy Nickerson. He is the vocal leader in most defensive schemes, calling out formations and strengths and communicating adjustments. Inno Supps Complete Gut Health Stack: Doctor Approved 3-Step Process for UFC and Project Rock Team Up For BSR 3 Shoe Collaboration. Not to mention, your strength is often times what can save you in this sport. Must average 38 yards or more and have a hang time of 4.3 seconds. He should be able to win with either speed and quickness or power as an edge rusher. Outside linebackers must be ready to shift positions and erupt into action since they must adjust to new plays more quickly than other positions. Linebacker strength is constantly being put to the test, no matter what technique you play. He can find the open window in zone and separate from man coverage. Instinctive, quick to read and diagnose, and explosive. In the NFL and college football, this alignment is used mainly in short yardage situations or near the goal line. Exercise Video Demonstrations and Workout Modifications . Linebacker Drills. As a contact sport, it is often compared with American football. Flashes ability to stand blockers up and also to knock ball-carriers backward on contact. With that being said, some of the toughest middle linebackers in the league have been between 510 and 62 tall. a bigger size for programs that require the snapper to block after snapping vs. a taller, quicker long snapper for programs that want their athlete to be the first one down the field). The recruit must be one of the most physical players on the field; he should move the line of scrimmage by 2 yards consistently. This answer is: 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. In terms of height, most middle linebackers fall between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall. He needs to show strength and leverage as a run defender, and he must go with speed and quickness as an edge rusher. He needs to show the strength and leverage to control the line-of-scrimmage as a run defender. They also typically have some ability to stop the run, so teams tend to ask them to put their hand in the dirt more than other linebacker positions. And there are some linebackers who weigh as little as 220. The recruit must have a combination of size and speed and must change the LOS at the point of attack. Linebacker Speed Training Work. You may be thinking that the Pro Bowl may not be representative. The recruit controls gaps with good body control and can play in both man and zone coverage. Squat: 445 lbs. . Though, coaches will consider an athlete with a slower snap time if the athlete is more consistent. Here are some Phase 2 weight training exercises for football: Barbell bench press. He must be athletic enough to pull and get up field. [18] "Mikes" usually line up towards the strong side or on the side the offense is more likely to run on (based on personnel matchups) while "Wills" may line up on the other side or even a little farther back between the defensive line and the secondary. Sets : 3 to 5. The recruit must be one of the most physical players on the field; he should move the line of scrimmage by 3 yards consistently. 221 lbs . ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. He needs soft hands, as well as the ability to stretch the field vertically. A mike linebacker is tasked with stopping the run but is also involved in coverage and normally locked up man-to-man with running backs out of the backfield or tight ends. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Average college football player size for D3 TEs: 62 / 211 lbs, Average college football player size for NAIA TEs: 62 / 222 lbs. The recruit must be able to know all coverage and have quick feet. The 33rd Team Scouting Dept. [citation needed]. Instinctive and plays downhill in the run game. Access the linebacker training and drills bundle to get education on how to play LB for football. He must be an active player who enjoys contact and be able to move the line of scrimmage more often than stalemating or losing ground.