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: 6025Weight: 243 lbs2025 Stats: 160 tackles, 79 solo, 16 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 10 PBUs, 1 FF, 1 FR (17 games)StrengthsGood size for the positionStrong run diagnostic skillsAttacks puller with violenceEffective blitzerShows good burst breaking on the football in coverageLance Rucker (North Dakota)Height: 6020Weight: 239 lbs2025 Stats: 64 tackles, 34 solo, 15 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, 4 FFs, 1 FR, 2 BLKs (14 games)StrengthsVery good first-step burst with explosive get-offOutstanding lateral quicknessExcellent bendStrong run defense instinctsViolent, active handsMichael Wells (Youngstown State)Height: 6023Weight: 241 lbs2025 Stats: 50 tackles, 25 solo, 15 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, 2 FFs, 2 FRs (13 games)StrengthsPositional versatility to play off-ball linebacker, edge rusher, and overhangSmooth lateral moverBalanced pursuit angles to the ball carrierQuick diagnostic skills as a run defenderShows good range as a run defenderGabriel Stephens (Howard)Height: 6026Weight: 230 lbs2025 Stats: 16 tackles, 10 solo, 4.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR (12 games)StrengthsOutstanding movement skillsExcellent twitch and lateral quicknessOutstanding closing burstComfortable dropping into shallow coverageExcellent bendCruz Hepburn (Idaho)Height: 6004Weight: 221 lbs2025 Stats: 71 tackles, 50 solo, 6 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 FF (12 games)StrengthsPhysical, downhill playstyleExplosive downhill triggerDelivers powerful contact to oncoming blockersAdequate zone awarenessEffective blitzerBiggest 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)Follow FCS Football Central on social media for ongoing coverage of FCS football, including on X, Facebook, and YouTube.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow