Elijah Littlejohn

Physical Profile

Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 225 pounds, Littlejohn possesses a solid frame for an inside linebacker. His build is more prototypical for an off-ball linebacker rather than a true edge rusher in a Power Four defensive scheme. He is a multi-sport athlete, having also participated in track and basketball, which speaks to his overall athleticism. Testing data, such as a 4.53-second pro shuttle, indicates good short-area quickness and change-of-direction ability for his size.

Play Style

On film, Littlejohn is an aggressive, downhill player who excels when attacking the line of scrimmage. He primarily played on the edge in a two-point stance in high school, showcasing his ability to get into the backfield and disrupt plays. He finishes tackles with violence, driving through the hips upon contact. His energy and effort are evident in his relentless pursuit of the football.

Strengths

• Possesses an explosive first step and impressive lateral quickness, which allows him to mirror ball carriers and close ground effectively.
• Highly effective as a blitzer, showing a natural ability to find paths to the quarterback and create pressure. This is backed by his junior year statistics where he recorded 14 sacks and 24 quarterback hurries.
• Plays with a high motor and is relentless in backside pursuit, frequently making plays outside of his initial assignment.

Areas to Improve

• Needs to refine his overall technique as both a pass rusher and a run defender to maximize his physical tools.
• Has limited experience in pass coverage and will need to develop his instincts and technique in that area to become a three-down linebacker at the next level.
• While he has a good frame, he will need to continue to add strength to effectively take on and shed blocks from Power Four offensive linemen.

College Projection

Littlejohn projects as a multi-year contributor at the Power Four level, with the potential to develop into an impact player. He is expected to transition to an inside linebacker role at Georgia. His initial contributions will likely come on special teams and in rotational duty as he refines his technique and adapts to the complexities of playing off the ball. With his athletic upside, he has the potential to become a starting linebacker in the latter half of his collegiate career.

NFL Outlook

Given his four-star rating and commitment to a top-tier program like Georgia, known for developing linebackers, Littlejohn has a clear path to the NFL. His draft potential will be contingent on his ability to successfully transition to an inside linebacker position, particularly in improving his pass coverage skills. If he can become a well-rounded linebacker who excels in both the run and pass game, he has the potential to be a mid-round NFL Draft selection.

Best Fit

A defensive scheme that utilizes multiple fronts and values athletic, aggressive linebackers who can be used as blitzers would be an ideal fit. Georgia's defensive scheme under Kirby Smart is well-suited to his skillset, allowing him to play to his strengths as a downhill attacker while developing the other areas of his game. Programs that have a strong track record of developing raw, athletic linebackers would maximize his potential.