There are linebackers, and then there are athletes who just happened to play linebacker. These are the guys who had the size, speed, coordination, and pure intensity to thrive not just on a football field, but on a basketball court, wrestling mat, baseball diamond, or even in the octagon.
This list isn’t just about tackling machines—it’s about freakish versatility. From sideline-to-sideline speed to Olympic-level explosiveness, these 15 linebackers could’ve picked any sport—and still made your life miserable in it.
15. Isaiah Simmons
A positionless wonder in college, Simmons was basically a create-a-player come to life. With his track speed and ridiculous wingspan, he could’ve been an elite sprinter, long jumper, or NBA wing defender in another life.
14. Darius Leonard
Leonard moves like a shooting guard and has the instincts of a point guard, with a wingspan that would get NBA scouts drooling. His quickness and vision could’ve translated easily to hoops or even centerfield in baseball.
13. Von Miller
He’s built like a heavyweight boxer and moves like a 400-meter specialist. Von’s blend of power and explosion would’ve made him terrifying in MMA or an absolute force in rugby.
12. Shawne Merriman
They didn’t call him “Lights Out” for nothing. Merriman’s blend of strength and twitch made him a natural candidate for pro wrestling or cage fighting stardom.
11. LaVar Arrington
LaVar had the speed of a running back and the frame of a power forward. It’s not hard to picture him throwing down highlight-reel dunks or running wild on a lacrosse field.
10. Tremaine Edmunds
At 6’5” with long arms and fluid hips, Edmunds looks more like an NBA small forward than an NFL linebacker. He probably could’ve been a defensive anchor on the hardwood—or a nightmare matchup in volleyball.
9. Brian Urlacher
Before terrorizing quarterbacks, Urlacher was a safety, return man, and sometimes slot receiver. With that versatility, he easily could’ve been a dominant tight end, a shot-blocking forward, or an all-conference baseball player.
8. Thomas Davis
The man played through a broken arm in the playoffs, so you know toughness isn’t a question. But he also had the speed and agility to transition into track, soccer, or even decathlon-level greatness.
7. Clay Matthews
With his athletic genes and flowing hair, Matthews had the movement skills to go from pass-rushing linebacker to tennis player or even a downhill skier. He moved with rare grace for a guy who hit like a truck.
6. Jack Lambert
Lambert had the look of a hockey enforcer and the demeanor to match. With his intensity and quick reaction time, he could’ve crushed it on skates or thrown punches in a boxing ring.
5. Patrick Willis
Willis had world-class burst and the kind of balance and footwork that made him feel like a middleweight fighter in a linebacker’s body. You could plug him into any sport, and he’d dominate, especially anything involving contact.
4. Derrick Brooks
Brooks played like a cornerback in a linebacker’s frame. With his range and IQ, he could’ve been a defensive stopper in basketball or a relentless midfielder in soccer.
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3. Lawrence Taylor
LT’s athleticism was so generational that he basically invented a new position on the fly. If he wanted to be a power forward, heavyweight champ, or even an Olympic sprinter, he probably could’ve pulled it off.
Read More: 20 NFL Linebackers Who Were Built for Today’s Speed-First Game
2. Ray Lewis
Lewis combined ballet-like footwork with a middle linebacker’s fury. If he had picked wrestling, boxing, or even baseball, he would’ve brought the same fire and probably ended up in that sport’s Hall of Fame, too.
Read More: The 23 Greatest Linebackers in NFL History, Ranked
1. Micah Parsons
Parsons looks like he was engineered in a lab to dominate anything. He’s already moonlighting as a pass rusher, coverage guy, and part-time edge—so imagining him in basketball, wrestling, or even track feels more like a spoiler than a guess.
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