FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Carson Schwesinger
Carson Schwesinger (LB – UCLA)
6-foot-2 | 225 Pounds
Background
Carson Schwesinger was an unranked recruit who walked on to UCLA and rarely played for the first three seasons of his career, totaling 27 tackles. Became a captain heading into his redshirt junior year, starting in 10 out of 12 appearances and posting a line of 136-9.0-4.0, with two interceptions and three breakups.
Positives
Self-made linebacker who went from walk-on to captain and put together a monster line in 2024 as a first-year starter. Schwesinger does a good job of keeping his shoulders square when playing between the tackles. Shows willingness to do the dirty work, taking on blocks in the hole. Non-stop motor and above-average athleticism give him impressive sideline-to-sideline range; flies around the field on a snap-to-snap basis.
Schwesinger shows very good short-area quickness to slip past blockers when working through congestion. Active with his hands to sift through trash and shows the ability to play off of blocks. Has established himself as a very reliable tackler, missing fewer than 20% of his career attempts. Shows quick feet when making spot drops into zone coverage, with fluid hips. Looks fast and comfortable carrying backs and tight ends down the sidelines on seam/wheel routes; recognizes flat releases and other manufactured touches quickly. Speed and burst have allowed him to succeed as a blitzer when he’s schemed lanes to the passer. Could become a core special teams player.
Negatives
Schwesinger’s size is on the smaller side for a pro linebacker and might relegate him to the Will in an even front at the next level. Instincts are a work in progress, causing him to become reliant on his effort and athleticism, with a lot of false steps on tape. Stat-hunter who can lack patience and discipline when playing the run, committing early and undermining the team’s gap discipline.
Eagerness to make a play can be exposed by play-fakes and misdirection; looks reactive rather than anticipatory at times, relying on his athleticism and motor to get him back into position. Competitive when taking on blockers, but doesn’t have the sand in his pants to hold the point of attack very effectively. Contact balance can be an issue.
Summary
An impressive self-made linebacker who plays fast with a sense of urgency, Schwesinger possesses the athletic traits to play sideline to sideline in the run game and execute various coverage assignments on passing downs. That said, he isn’t a complete package, as he lacks ideal size and functional strength. He can be exploited on plays that take advantage of his eagerness to rack up tackles.
Very much a modern linebacker who played the Mike often in school but will probably be more of a Will at the next level. Would be best in a run-and-hit scheme that lets him play fast, especially while he’s still developing his ability to read keys and anticipate plays.
Projection: Round 3
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