The landscape of College Football is built around the next wave of future NFL stars shaping and building their resumes.

That was the case during the 2022 NCAA Football schedule as many of the great stars including some of the best middle linebackers in College Football put together strong seasons while many helped their team’s defensive performance at a high level.

As you look at the Top 10 College Football Middle Linebackers 2023 Rankings each are worthy of a mention while many if not all will hear their name announced during an NFL Draft. 

Leading the list of the Top Middle Linebackers in College Football is the Clemson Tigers Trent Simpson who ranks among the best linebackers while also being a projected 1st round pick during the 2023 NFL Draft.

In addition to Simpson ranking among College Football’s best middle linebacker, other top stars to join him on the ranking list include Henry To’oTo’o of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Jack Campbell of the Iowa Hawkeyes, and Noah Sewell of the Oregon Ducks. Here is a look at the Top 10 College Football Middle Linebackers 2023 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Darius Muasau

School: UCLA Bruins

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

Just missing the Top 10 College Football Middle Linebackers 2023 Rankings list is the UCLA Bruins middle linebacker Darius Muasau.

Muasau, who started his college football career playing for Hawaii, transferred to the Bruins for the 2022 College Football season.

After posting back-to-back 100 plus tackle seasons, Muasau finished his potential only season with the Bruins with 91 tackles, one sack, two interceptions, two passes defended, and a forced fumble.

The Bruins linebacker finished the season posting at least eight tackles in seven different games this past season including three games with at least 10.

Drake Thomas

School: North Carolina State Wolfpack

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

As you start to look around College Football it is hard not to include Drake Thomas of the NC State Wolfpack as one of the top middle linebackers.

Thomas put together his best season in college football racking up 30 quarterback hurries, nine quarterback hits, 101 tackles, a career high 7.5 sacks, and four passes defended.

The Wolfpack defender showcased his ability to avoid blockers, while using his speed and instincts to get to the ball carrier all season long including racking up 11 tackles and one sack in the teams 16-12 loss in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Top 10 College Middle Linebackers

10. Jack Kiser

School: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

Landing in at number 10 on the Top 10 College Football Middle Linebackers 2023 Rankings list is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Junior linebacker Jack Kiser.

Kiser has showcased his ability to make big plays dating back to last season including posting two pick six interception returns last season.

In 2022, the Fighting Irish linebacker finished the season with a career high 59 tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. 

9. Micah Baskerville

School: LSU Tigers

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

Over the years the LSU Tigers continue to produce standout stars on the defensive side of the football. The same can be said for senior linebacker Micah Baskerville who is expected to be one of the top linebackers drafted during the 2023 NFL Draft.

Baskerville is coming off posting his second straight season with at least 80 tackles (89), has made a name for himself as he continues to do everything right at the position.

In addition to 89 tackles, Baskerville racked up one interception, eight passes defended, and one sack. The Tigers linebacker has solid speed and awareness that lands him near the ball on each play. 

8. Ryan Greenhagen

School: Fordham Rams

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

One name that will get overlooked and forgotten by many when discussing the best linebackers in College Football is Ryan Greenhagen.

Greenhagen who plays for the Fordham Rams doesn’t play at a premier football school that gains national attention week in and week out.

Nonetheless, the senior middle linebacker comes out to play each weekend while showcasing his ability to be a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.

Greenhagen is coming off a career high 113 tackles to go along with 4.5 sacks, one interception, and three passes defended.

7. Ventrell Miller

School: Florida Gators

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

The Florida Gators senior linebacker Ventrell Miller wrapped up a solid college football resume while showcasing his talents for NFL teams over the course of the 2022 NCAA Football schedule. 

After dealing with injuries last season, Miller bounced back to put together a strong season finishing with 16 quarterback pressures, 12 quarterback hurries, 75 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

The future NFL Draft Pick showed solid instincts and athletic ability while also being a player who can fight through blockers to get to the ball carrier.

6. Owen Pappoe

School: Auburn Tigers

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

Over the years the SEC conference has had a reputation of producing stud defensive players and the case is the same for the 2022 NCAA Football schedule.

While the list of standout stars from the SEC is long, one player well worth mentioning is the Auburn Tigers senior linebacker Owen Pappoe.

Pappoe who is from Lawrenceville, Georgia is coming off a strong senior season posting 92 total tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended.

Meanwhile Pappoe showed great instinct pursuing the ball carrier while also finding ways to get pressure on the quarterback (8 quarterback pressures, four quarterback hits). 

5. Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

School: Clemson Tigers

NFL Draft Status: Returning to Clemson Tigers for 2023

Rounding out the top five on the Top 10 College Football Middle Linebackers 2023 Rankings list is Jeremiah Trotter Jr. The name might sound familiar as his father is former NFL player Jeremiah Trotter.

Trotter Jr. did not disappoint this season during his second season with the Clemson Tigers. The sophomore linebacker finished the season with 89 tackles to go along with five passes defended, two interceptions, 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and interception returned for a touchdown.

The Tigers linebacker is exceptional in nearly all aspects of the position while also being a dominant blitzer who can get to the quarterback but also cover and react to the play in front of him.

4. Noah Sewell

School: Oregon Ducks

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

A freak athlete, Noah Sewell is a game changer at the linebacker position who has speed, agility, and quickness to shed blockers, find the right angle, and pursue the ball.

During the 2022 NCAA Football schedule, Sewell racked up 14 quarterback hurries to go along with 23 stops against opposing running backs.

After racking up 114 tackles last season, Sewell finished this season with 55 tackles to go along with one interception, three passes defended, one fumble recovery, and 1.5 sacks for the Oregon Ducks.

3. Jack Campbell

School: Iowa Hawkeyes

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

When you start to compare the top three middle linebackers landing on the Top 10 College Football Middle Linebackers 2023 Rankings list each are worth mentioning as top tier stars.

One of those three stars is standout linebacker Jack Campbell. Campbell, who might lack the sacks as a few of the other linebackers on the list, is more of a prototypical middle linebacker who makes plays all over the field while not being asked to blitz as much as others.

Nonetheless Campbell is a stud who uses his athleticism and ability to read the field to help him position himself where the ball is.

The Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker finished the 2022 NCAA football season with 125 tackles to go along with two interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. 

2. Henry To’oTo’o

School: Alabama Crimson Tide

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

The Alabama Crimson Tide continue to produce standout stars as well as future NFL players with Henry To’oTo’o being the next potential star.

To’oTo’o a senior, has built a strong resume since entering college posting no fewer than 72 tackles in each of his four seasons while posting 111 tackles during the 2021 NCAA Football season.

The Crimson Tide star finished off his career posting 94 tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks to finish up his career while finishing off a stellar college resume. No To’oTo’o is set to be one of the top linebackers selected during the 2023 NFL Draft.

1. Trenton Simpson

School: Clemson Tigers

NFL Draft Status: 2023 NFL Draft

It is hard to look past Trenton Simpson as the top middle linebacker/inside linebacker in the country. The Clemson Tigers linebacker is a game changer on the defensive side of the football while showcasing his ability to make big plays against the run and/or pass.

Simpson, who has solid size, is built with a strong motor that delivers great burst to allow him to get to the quarterback or ball carrier.

Simpson finished the season with a career high 73 tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended.

How would you rank the Best College Middle Linebackers in the 2022-2023 BCS season? Rank below to be added in the NCAA Power Rankings

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