In the leadup to the 2023 NFL Draft, Vikings.com is taking a look at prospects who have garnered a range of attention from national outlets. The series will include rankings by those national outlets, stats and background information for multiple prospects.
Vikings status at inside linebacker
The Vikings currently have the following inside linebackers on their roster: Jordan Hicks, Brian Asamoah II, Troy Dye, William Kwenkeu and recent free agent addition Troy Reeder.
Reeder signed with Minnesota last month, reuniting with former high school teammate Brian O'Neill. He started his NFL career in 2019, when he signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent. Reeder joined the Chargers for the 2022 season and played in all 17 games, contributing mainly on special teams.
The Vikings parted ways with 2015 second-round draft pick Eric Kendricks, who has since signed with the Chargers.
Hicks, a free agency addition in 2021, is returning for a second season in Purple. He started every game for the Vikings last season, totaling 129 tackles (86 solo), 3.0 sacks, 10 passes defensed and a forced fumble. He also notched his fifth career interception, picking off Jalen Hurts in Week 2.
Minnesota's inside linebackers were key contributors in creating turnovers in 2022. Hicks and Asamoah each forced a fumble, while Kendricks and Asamoah had a recovery apiece.
Dye, who is entering his fourth season, recovered a fumble on special teams.
Asamoah and Kwenkeu both had nice moments as rookies last season.
Expert rankings
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah currently has just two inside linebackers in his overall Top 50: 43. Trenton Simpson and 49. Jack Campbell.
ESPN's Mel Kiper, Jr., did not include an inside linebacker in his overall Top 25.
Rankings for inside linebackers by Jeremiah, his NFL Media counterpart Bucky Brooks, Kiper, analytics site Pro Football Focus and The Athletic's Dane Brugler are listed below.
Prospects
Note: Heights and weights are from each player's profile on NFL.com (linked for each player's name).
School: Clemson | Year: Junior | Ht: 6-foot-2 | Wt: 235 pounds
Experts' Position Rankings
Daniel Jeremiah: LB1
Bucky Brooks: LB3
Mel Kiper, Jr.: LB1
Pro Football Focus: LB4
Dane Brugler: LB2
2022 stats: 12 games; 72 tackles (41 solo), 2.5 sacks, 4.0 TFL, 2 FF, 3 passes defensed
Son of a Major: Simpson is the son of Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy D. Simpson, who served 17 overseas tours from 1994-21 in his decorated career with the U.S. Army Rangers.
School: Arkansas | Year: Junior | Ht: 6-foot-4 | Wt: 235 pounds
Experts' Position Rankings
Daniel Jeremiah: Not ranked in overall Top 50
Bucky Brooks: LB1
Mel Kiper, Jr.: LB2
Pro Football Focus: LB2
Dane Brugler: LB1
2022 stats: 12 games; 103 tackles (40 solo), 1 INT, 9.5 sacks, 13.5 TFL, 3 FF, 1 FR, 5 passes defensed
Impressed in prep football: Sanders was a 5-star prospect, top-15 overall recruit, No. 1 player from Texas and top-ranked athlete in the country coming out of Ryan High School.
School: Iowa | Year: Senior | Ht: 6-foot-5 | Wt: 249 pounds
Experts' Position Rankings
Daniel Jeremiah: LB2
Bucky Brooks: LB4
Mel Kiper, Jr.: LB3
Pro Football Focus: LB1
Dane Brugler: LB4
2022 stats: 13 games; 128 tackles (60 solo), 2 INT, 1.0 sack, 5.5 TFL, 1 FF, 1 pass defensed
From court to the field: A day after Campbell's Cedar Falls High School football team fell in the state championship in his senior season, he was at basketball practice. Campbell helped his hoops squad defend its state title and could have played Division I college basketball but opted for the gridiron.
School: Alabama (after Tennessee) | Year: Senior | Ht: 6-foot-1 | Wt: 227 pounds
Experts' Position Rankings
Daniel Jeremiah: Not ranked in overall Top 50
Bucky Brooks: LB5
Mel Kiper, Jr.: LB5
Pro Football Focus: LB8
Dane Brugler: LB3
2022 stats: 13 games; 93 tackles (44 solo), 2.5 sacks, 8.0 TFL
South Pacific heritage: To'oTo'o's full name is Henry Moses Ito Iese To'oTo'o (TOE-oh TOE-oh). He is half-Samoan, half-Tongan and has seven siblings.
School: Texas | Year: Senior | Ht: 6-foot-3 | Wt: 229 pounds
Experts' Position Rankings
Daniel Jeremiah: Not ranked in overall Top 50
Bucky Brooks: Not ranked in top five LB
Mel Kiper, Jr.: LB7
Pro Football Focus: LB5
Dane Brugler: LB6
2022 stats: 12 games; 96 tackles (49 solo), 4.0 sacks, 10 TFL, 5 passes defensed
Proud papa: Overshown welcomed his son, DeMarvion Germanic Lee Overshown, Jr., on Sept. 13, 2022.
School: Washington State (after Nevada) | Year: Redshirt Sr. | Ht: 6-foot-1 | Wt: 225 pounds
Experts' Position Rankings
Daniel Jeremiah: Not ranked in overall Top 50
Bucky Brooks: Not ranked in top five LB
Mel Kiper, Jr.: LB4
Pro Football Focus: LB3
Dane Brugler: LB10
2022 stats: 12 games; 106 tackles (54 solo), 1 INT, 4.0 sacks, 12 TFL, 3 FF, 2 FR, 1 pass defensed
Transfer product: Henley played for Nevada from 2017-21 before forgoing Nevada's 2021 bowl game and transferring to Washington State, where he started every game of the season for the first time in his collegiate career.
