Carson Schwesinger has become a monster over the middle for the UCLA defense and should be a Top-60 pick come April. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report and film analysis on him.
Overview, Film Analysis, And Early 2025 Scouting Report Of UCLA LB Carson Schwesinger
Measurables:
- 6’2”
- 225 lbs
Player Background:
Carson Schwesinger began his UCLA career as an unranked linebacker recruit in the 2021 class out of Oak Christian HS (CA). He didn’t see any time during his first season with the team and received a redshirt. He worked his way onto the field for a limited time the following year as both a defender and special teams member. In 13 games he totaled 15 tackles and a 0.5 tackles-for-loss.
He was in a similar role to open 2023, seeing most of his action in a reserve role. Schwesinger was able to pick up his first collegiate sack against Stanford in an October game. He tacked on 12 tackles and another two TFLs to his season totals. His breakout campaign came in 2024, finally cracking the top of the depth chart. He started 10 of 12 games and accumulated 136 tackles, four sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Accolades:
- Second Team All-American (2024)
- All-Big Ten First Team (2024)
- All-Big Ten First Team (2024)
Strengths/Pros:
Schwesinger is a fantastic athlete at the linebacker position and can cover a lot of ground. He’s a very rangy backer who rotates between all three levels during plays, and he has the movement skills to do so with reduced risk. He flips his hips smoothly when diagnosing vertical routes from the backfield and accelerates well. He has enough straight-line speed to run a solid trail technique when covering downfield routes. His smooth footwork across the middle also lets him fluidly cover multiple assignments.
He’s very patient in coverage but has the burst to smother comebacks and remain engaged with wideouts through cuts. Schwesinger flashes sharp compact movements as a pass rusher and can change direction quickly and catch blockers off-guard. His first step as a pass rusher is elite, flying into the backfield and using his speed to gain immediate leverage. His tackling technique is sound and finishes plays with violence. He’s a solid special teams contributor and easily closes out the sideline.
Weaknesses/Cons:
Schwesinger’s base tends to swing around too much at times when manning the middle of the field in zone coverage. It can sometimes lead to his coverage being too chaotic and flying past routes that settle underneath. On the other side of the coin, he can get caught leaking too much toward underneath routes and allowing over-the-top routes to break open. He also lets himself sway into the wrong rushing lanes and gets taken out of the play.
He’s not particularly forceful with his functional strength and often can’t control the running game in traffic at the line. He doesn’t have the upper body strength to finish most arm tackles, limiting his full impact range. Schwesinger will get too headstrong when pursuing outside ball carriers, getting too far downhill, and giving up sideline angles. His eyes get drawn by multiple backfield developments and will get moved off the play. He tends to bite wrong in coverage with multiple options over the middle, also getting grabby against faster route runners.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Schwesinger is an instant-impact starter for just about any team in the NFL and can be a game-wrecker at times. His natural athleticism and ability to cover ground and consistently finish tackles profile him as a high-floor LB at the next level. He should be a major help to teams in need of improved LB play and could become a key cog to a championship-level defense.
Prospect Grade:
- Mid To Late Second Round
Film Exposures:
- 2024 vs. USC
- 2024 vs. Penn State
- 2024 vs. LSU
Main Photo: [Robert Hanashiro] – USA Today Sports
