Three Linebackers Who Boosted Their Stock at the 2026 NFL Combine

The linebacker group at the 2026 NFL Combine delivered one of the most explosive positional workouts of the week. In today’s NFL, second-level defenders are judged as much on range and coverage ability as they are on tackling production. Indianapolis provided a platform for athletic validation, and three linebackers capitalized in a major way: Sonny Styles (Ohio State), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), and Kyle Louis (Pitt).

Sonny Styles, LB — Ohio State

• Combine Highlights: 4.49 40-yard dash | 43½" vertical (Combine record) | 11’2" broad jump
• Scouting Grade: 7.2 (Impact Three-Down Defender / Pro Bowl Ceiling)
• Updated Round Projection: Round 1

Styles didn’t just lead the linebacker group, he owned it.

At 6’5”, 244 pounds, he posted a staggering 43½-inch vertical jump (a Combine record) and an 11-foot-2 broad jump, numbers rarely seen at any position, let alone from a linebacker of his size. He followed that up with a blazing 4.49 forty-yard dash, confirming elite straight-line speed.

Beyond the testing numbers, Styles looked fluid and controlled in every drill. His hips transitioned smoothly in coverage work, and he moved like a hybrid defender capable of matching tight ends, closing on running backs, or blitzing off the edge.

Evaluation: Styles profiles as a modern defensive chess piece. His size-speed-explosion combination is rare, and his performance likely cemented him as the clear linebacker winner of the day. With three-down versatility and elite traits, he now sits comfortably in early Round 1 territory.

Jake Golday, LB — Cincinnati

• Combine Highlight: 4.60 40-yard dash
• Scouting Grade: 6.7 (Early-Down MIKE with Leadership Traits)
• Updated Round Projection: Round 3

Golday entered the Combine known primarily for his tackling consistency and physical presence inside. What he did in Indianapolis was quiet doubts about his athletic ceiling. His 4.60 forty-yard dash was impressive for a bigger, downhill interior linebacker and confirmed functional play speed.

In drills, Golday looked balanced and technically sound, just as he does on tape. His footwork was efficient, and he didn’t appear stiff during change-of-direction work. The athletic numbers weren’t flashy, but they were more than sufficient.

Evaluation: Golday solidified himself as a reliable, scheme-stable linebacker who can anchor the middle of a defense. His Combine performance likely moved him from mid-Day 3 conversations firmly into Day 2 discussion as a dependable MIKE with upside.

3. Kyle Louis, LB — Pitt

• Combine Highlight: 4.54 40-yard dash
• Scouting Grade: 6.9 (Positionless Defender / Coverage Weapon)
• Updated Round Projection: Round 2–3

Louis entered the week with some evaluators questioning whether he might ultimately transition to safety. Instead, he used the Combine to prove he can absolutely stay at linebacker while still offering hybrid value.

His 4.54 forty-yard dash validated his range, and during drills, he showed loose hips, fluid transitions, and confident ball skills. He looked natural in space and comfortable carrying routes downfield, all while maintaining linebacker size and physicality.

Rather than being seen as a tweener, Louis may now be viewed as something more valuable: a “positionless” defender in the modern NFL. His ability to cover, blitz, and flow sideline-to-sideline makes him a matchup tool in today’s sub-package-heavy schemes.

Evaluation: Louis profiles as a three-down linebacker in space-oriented defenses. His Combine likely quieted any concerns about positional fit and strengthened his Day 2 standing.