Karson Sharar emerged as Iowa’s tackling machine and one of the Big Ten’s best-kept linebacker sleepers
In the 2025 season, Karson Sharar finally became a full-time starter for Iowa and delivered 83 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, six quarterback pressures, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup, showing he can affect all three phases of a defense[1][5][15]. His calling card is instinctive, high-motor linebacker play with enough burst to blitz and enough range to lead a defense, which is why evaluators viewed him as an NFL Draft sleeper[15]. The one caution flag is that PFF credited him with 18 missed tackles in 2025, so he fits best with a team that values downhill aggression and development rather than polished, low-mistake coverage play right away[5].
