Carson Schwesinger’s football career beyond the high school level started as a walk-on at UCLA.
And just a few years removed from such a decision, he’s taken over the National Football League as one of the most exciting and talented linebackers.
After being selected No. 33 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, Schwesinger dominated the NFL in his first year in the league. He finished the 2025 campaign with 156 combined tackles, 11 for a loss, nine quarterback hits and 2.5 sacks. He also tacked on three pass deflections and two interceptions.
Due to having such an impact on the gridiron, he was named the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year. This year’s celebration marked the 15th anniversary of the NFL Honors ceremony, with Schwesinger going up against James Pearce Jr., Nick Emmanwori, Xavier Watts, Jihaad Campbell, Abdul Carter and others who also put together impressive seasons.
But Schwesinger’s selection for the honor really shocked no one.
He played an integral role in the success of the Browns’ defense this past season, acting as the team’s signal caller, wearing the green dot. He was flying all over the place, making an impact in both the passing and rushing games.
With nearly 160 tackles on the year, he recorded double-digit tackles nine times, the most on the team by a landslide. His season-high came in at 14, which he recorded twice.
“I’m proud of the way I went out and played this year and felt like I got better each week,” he said in an interview with SI.
Just a few weeks ago, the Pro Football Writers of America announced that Schwesinger was that organization’s 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is the first player to win the award in Cleveland’s storied history.
The Future Is Bright for the 22-Year-Old
Prior to even stepping foot on the field in his rookie season, the Browns coaching staff knew they had something special in him. His motor was high, his IQ was through the roof and most importantly, his energy was infec