On Wednesday, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported a significant turnout at UCLA Bruins linebacker Carson Schwesinger’s private pro day, with representatives from 30 NFL teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers’, in attendance. Schwesinger, considered a top inside linebacker prospect in this year’s draft class, held his own pro day due to a hamstring injury sustained during pre-draft training.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Schwesinger as the 2nd best LB in the draft and 43 best prospect in the draft writing, “A player in perpetual chase mode, Schwesinger is lightning quick in his key-and-react processing and flies to the football with an innate feel for beating blockers to the spot and navigating box traffic to stay clean. I’d like to see more shock and leverage in his hands when he does take on contact, but he has a high batting average as a tackler — his average of 7.5 solo tackles per game this season was the highest in the FBS since 2020.”
Los Angeles Chargers Draft Prospect: Carson Schwesinger
At his pro day, Schwesinger measured 6’2 1/2” and weighed 238 pounds. While he didn’t run the 40-yard dash, his performance in other drills was impressive: a 7.05 in the three-cone drill, 4.25 in the short shuttle, and a 10’7” broad jump. Combined with his 39.5” vertical jump from the NFL Combine, Schwesinger showcased exceptional athleticism.
Schwesinger’s rise has been rapid. Just two seasons ago, in 2023, he was a reserve player for the Bruins. However, his 2024 season was a breakout year, earning him First-Team All-American honors and leading the nation with 90 solo tackles (136 total). He also contributed significantly in other areas, recording 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble.
The Chargers’ linebacker room, returning mostly intact from 2024 with the exception of Nick Niemann, features Daiyan Henley, Denzel Perryman, Troy Dye, and Junior Colson. While this group has potential, adding Schwesinger would significantly enhance its overall quality.
However, the Chargers may face competition in acquiring him, as he’s projected to be selected within the first 50 picks. The Chargers also have other pressing needs to address in the draft, including tight end, wide receiver, and defensive tackle.