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2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Caleb Bacon, LB, Penn State
Summer is here, sort of, and it is everyone’s favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay.
Are we going to write about quarterbacks? Offensive tackles? Edge rushers? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans.
So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.
Background Info
- Position: Linebacker
- School: Penn State
- Previously attended Iowa State
- Height: 6-foot-4
- Weight: 242 pounds
- Redshirt Senior
- Hometown: Lake Mills, Iowa
- Team captain at Iowa State in 2025
- Earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors in 2025
- Semifinalist for the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2025
- Began his Iowa State career as a walk-on before earning a scholarship
- Currently listed as the backup middle linebacker on Ourlads' Penn State depth chart
Notable Career Stats
- 2025: 68 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass breakups
- 2023: 60 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass breakups
- Started all 12 games in 2025
- Started one game in 2024 before suffering a season-ending injury
- Recorded 128 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 5 pass breakups during his Iowa State career
Notable PFF Numbers
2025
- 652 snaps
- 70.2 overall grade
- 74.9 run defense grade
- 54.9 pass-rush grade
- 71.4 tackling grade
- 45 defensive stops
- 22 pressures
- 1 sack
- 166 total tackles
- 10.4% missed tackle rate
2023
- 346 snaps
- 89.3 overall grade
- 91.3 run defense grade
- 60.8 pass-rush grade
- 80.9 tackling grade
- 41 defensive stops
- 12 pressures
- 98 total tackles
- 10.9% missed tackle rate
Strengths
- Extensive starting experience at the Power Four level
- Team captain and proven leader
- Strong run-defense production throughout his career
- Consistently productive tackle numbers when healthy
- Generated 45 defensive stops in 2025
- Shows a history of creating negative plays behind the line of scrimmage
- Demonstrated resilience by returning from a season-ending injury in 2024
- Brings ideal size for an NFL linebacker at 6-foot-4 and 242 pounds
- Special teams and depth value enhanced by extensive game experience
- Multi-year production against Big 12 competition
Player Summary
Caleb Bacon arrives at Penn State after a unique college journey that began as a walk-on at Iowa State. By the end of his time in Ames, he had developed into a team captain, an All-Big 12 honorable mention selection, and one of the leaders of the Cyclones defense. His path speaks to both his work ethic and ability to steadily earn larger roles throughout his career.
The statistical profile points toward a linebacker who does his best work against the run. His 2023 season was particularly impressive, earning a 91.3 run-defense grade from PFF while producing 41 defensive stops on just 346 snaps. Even after suffering a season-ending injury in 2024, Bacon returned in 2025 to start every game and post career-best tackle production.
The upcoming season at Penn State could be the most important of his career. Currently listed as a backup middle linebacker, Bacon will be competing for defensive snaps while adjusting to a new program. NFL evaluators will likely be watching to see whether he can carve out a larger role in the Nittany Lions' defense and replicate the production he showed during his final healthy seasons at Iowa State.
For now, Bacon projects as an experienced, productive linebacker whose resume is built on toughness, leadership, and run-defense production. A strong season at Penn State could significantly improve his standing within the 2027 NFL Draft class.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: 2027 NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report on Penn State's Caleb Bacon
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