Top linebacker recruits in the updated 2025 On3 Industry Ranking

As we inch closer and closer to National Signing Day, all but one of the top 25 linebackers in the 2025 recruiting class have already announced their college decisions.

There is just one five-star prospect in the position group, but dozens of linebackers are getting set to play at the Power 4 level next season.

Below are the top 25 linebackers in the class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

1. Zayden Walker — Georgia

School: Ellaville (Ga.) Schley County

Scouting Summary: “The early front-runner for top EDGE prospect in the 2025 cycle as a rising junior. An unverified 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. Flashes a high-end combination of on-field athleticism and functional play strength. Lines up in both two and three-point stances off the edge. Shows noticeable first-step quickness off the snap. Very strong at the point of attack. Plays with excellent leverage and uses his strong lower body to move offensive linemen both as a bull rusher and run defender.

“Makes some eye-popping plays in pursuit, showcasing high-end athleticism in tracking down ball carriers from the back side. Doubles as a dangerous running back, using his athleticism and strength to pick up yards after contact. Helped his team to a state title appearance as a sophomore.”

2. Riley Pettijohn — Ohio State

School: McKinney (Texas)

Scouting Summary: “Supremely athletic linebacker with a high developmental upside. Measured in at around 6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds prior to his senior season. Has a muscled build with little body fat. A top athlete at the position. Turned in a scintillating 10.77 second mark in the 100 meters as a junior. Stars on one of the top high school defenses in the state of Texas. Runs very well on the field, showing high level speed in space. Capable of tracking down plays from sideline to sideline. Physical and works to avoid and fight through contact when flowing downhill. Has the athleticism to project as a strong coverage player and is comfortable playing in man and zone.

“Turned in a very productive junior season, tallying 125 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 interception and 5 pass breakups. Can improve his diagnosing speed along with play strength and pop as a tackler. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years-old in July prior to his junior season. One of the more physically-gifted linebackers in 2025 and looks like a top talent at the position in the cycle.”

3. Elijah Barnes — Texas

School: Dallas Skyline (Texas)

Scout’s Take from week two of the 2024 high school season: “Linebacker Elijah Barnes (No. 61) had a sensational first game. Barnes made a number of flash plays from his inside linebacker spot, showing impressive closing speed, the physicality to fight through blocks and a high effort level. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder ripped off a sub 11.0 second time in the 100 meters in the spring and showed that type of play speed on Thursday.”

4. Madden Faraimo

School: San Diego J Serra Catholic (Calif.)

Analyst’s Take: “Physically he already looks like a college player, but his football IQ is also impressively developed. Faraimo’s vision of the field and reading the quarterback definitely popped for me. But he’s solid with his fundamentals and technique. Consistently in position to make plays, tackles and he never takes a play off. It’s easy to see Faraimo directing the defense he plays for in. college.”

5. Charles Ross — LSU

School: Houston North Shore (Texas)

On3 Future Freak: “Charles Ross is certainly one of the fastest prospects in the 2025 cycle. The Houston native’s speed looked truly elite both on the track and in the combine setting during the spring. 10.36-second 100 meters (5th place at state finals). 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the UC Report’s Houston camp (fastest nationally).”

More top linebacker recruits in the 2025 class

6. Matai Tagoa’i — USC
7. Ty Jackson — USC
8. Noah Mikhail — Texas A&M
9. Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng
10. Zaydrius Rainey-Sale — Washington

11. Jakaleb Faulk — Auburn
12. Tavion Wallace — Arkansas
13. Tarvos Alford — Ohio State
14. Tyler Lockhart — Mississippi State
15. Elijah Melendez — Auburn

16. Jaedon Harmon — Tennessee
17. Nasir Wyatt — Oregon
18. Mason Posa — Wisconsin
19. Alex Tatsch — Penn State
20. Burke Gautcher — Iowa

21. Gavin Nix — Miami
22. Jarcoby Hopson — Ole Miss
23. Christian Gass — Tennessee
24. Christian Jones — Nebraska
25. LaVar Arrington II — Penn State