Feb 26, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger (LB25) during the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

From Overlooked to Unstoppable: Carson Schwesinger’s Dominant Rookie Season

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Chris Paterakis | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 11:44 AM ET

The Beginning

Carson Schwesinger has just won the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year. A season where Schwesinger led NFL rookies in tackles, run stops, and tackles for loss. The future is bright for the young linebacker out of UCLA, considering where it all started.

Carson Schwesinger began his collegiate career walking on at UCLA. In 2021 he redshirted and made a name for himself on scout team. Going into the 2022 season, Schwesinger was rewarded a scholarship. The 2024 season is were he finally broke out onto the scene playing a major role on UCLA’s defense. Carson led the BIG 10 in 2024 with 136 tackles later becoming a Butkus Award Finalist.

NFL Draft

Schwesinger entered the 2025 NFL Draft after a single season of meaningful production. The Cleveland Browns selected Schwesinger with the 33rd Pick in the Draft. Many members of the Browns front office called Carson a “unique evaluation” for his build and archetype at the position. At the time, the Browns needed help in many positions. Those including quarterback, offensive line, and receiver. They selected a linebacker which was a shock to many. That decision is aging quite well.

Heading into the 2025 season, The Browns handed Schwesinger the role of leader of the defense. Rewarding him with the green dot as a rookie. Carson never looked back playing essentially every snap on Sundays. Schwesinger looked like a season veteran out there many of his teammates said, and each week he only got better.

Schwesinger finished the season with dominant stats that contributed to his Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Looking to 2026, The Browns will expect another elite season that builds off of his rookie campaign.

Feb 5, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Carson Schwesinger on the NFL Honors Red Carpet before Super Bowl LX at Palace of Fine Arts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

End Of My Carson Schwesinger Rant

Looking across the NFL, there aren’t many guys that walked on in college and ended up winning awards as rookies. That defines the type of player on and off the field Carson Schwesigner is. The Browns linebacker room could look a lot different in 2026, but one is for sure and that is Carson Schwesinger will be leading that group. 2023 Pro Bowler Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah missed the entire 2025 season, but hasn’t ruled out returning in 2026. These two linebackers together would form one of the best duos in all of football. There will be many players in the conversation as NFL’s best linebacker but Carson Schwesinger should be the pick.

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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