It’s Week 8 of the college football season and the 2025 NFL Draft is 187 days away. Let’s take a look at linebackers that Green Bay Packers fans should watch during each time slot (all times central).
Brunch Time: 11:45 a.m.: Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
The Sooner linebacker plays with fearlessness playing downhill. He’s a battering ram that tries to destroy anything that gets in his way of tracking down the ball carrier. The former four-star recruit is quick to diagnose the action and sift his way through the trash. Stutsman’s motor doesn’t turn off and always seems to be around the football. The Sooner linebacker would bring grit to Green Bay’s front seven.
Crack a beer: 2:30 p.m.: Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
The Michigan linebacker is an explosive mover who has outstanding range. At 6-3, 248 pounds, Barham is a well-put-together linebacker with a nice blend of power and quickness. The Maryland transfer is an effective blitzer and has the lateral quickness to hold up in coverage. Over the past three games, Barham has recorded nine run stops and one tackle for loss.
Nightcap: 6:30 p.m.: Jay Higgins, Iowa
A year ago, Higgins led the nation in tackles (171) and through six games this season he has 62 tackles and 21 run stops, including 28 tackles, one sack and seven run stops during the last two games. He’s a sideline-to-sideline force, who has a nose for the football. The Iowa linebacker trusts his instincts and plays with a ton of confidence. Higgins explodes downhill to make plays behind or near the line of scrimmage to halt run plays before they can get started.
