Crenshaw linebacker Deandre Kirkpatrick Deandre Kirkpatrick 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Crenshaw | 2027 State CA announced his commitment to San Diego State on Friday.

He is a big linebacker who can line up inside or off the edge and is an elite run stopper in the City Section. Kirkpatrick has great closing speed and is effective in pass coverage as well.

Kirkpatrick also had offers from Arizona State, Oregon State and UNLV among others. He is one of 20 players from California in San Diego State’s 2027 recruiting class and one of two linebackers.

What he does well:

Kirkpatrick is a physically imposing, long-armed linebacker who plays with natural instincts and athleticism. He attacks downhill aggressively, fills gaps with good timing, and is a reliable tackler in the box. His length helps him shed blocks, disrupt lanes, and make plays from sideline to sideline. Shows solid range in coverage, drops well into zones, and has the versatility to contribute as a tight end on the offensive side with reliable hands. High-motor player who is consistently around the football and makes his presence felt on every snap.

What would take him to the next level

He is still developing the functional strength needed to consistently anchor against college offensive linemen and tight ends in the run game. Coverage technique needs polishing — hip fluidity and transitions can be a bit stiff when mirroring quicker athletes in space. Eye discipline and run-fit recognition will need to improve against more sophisticated college schemes with heavy motion and RPOs.

If / how you project to help a team win:

Kirkpatrick has the profile of a modern, versatile inside linebacker who can be a three-down contributor. He projects to help control the middle of the defense, be a stout run defender, and provide reliable coverage on underneath routes. His size, athleticism, and instincts give him starter potential and the ability to make plays that disrupt opposing offenses and create short fields for your offense. With added strength and technical refinement, he can develop into a productive, physical linebacker who helps your team win by stopping the run, creating negative plays, and giving your defensive coordinator flexibility in personnel groupings.

Well built 6’3” 220 lb. frame combined with plus athleticism giving him an ideal physical skillset for the LB position. He brings positional versatility to the defense with his ability to line up and be effective from multiple spots across different fronts. Possesses true three down ability displaying the range and instincts to be a forceful run stopper while also being able to make plays on the ball when dropping into coverage. Processes his reads and diagnoses plays quickly flowing well to the football and closing space with speed. Speed and short area burst allow him to shoot gaps inside the box and be a sideline to sideline playmaker when the ball goes to the perimeter. Delivers violent contact as a tackler, accelerating and driving through the ball carrier to finish to the ground. Carries four D1 offers into the offseason but should see that number on the rise.

The Crenshaw product is a high upside linebacker with good length and athleticism for the position and can play anywhere at the second level and provides a pass rush off the edge as well. He plays with a quick trigger, moves well in the open field and can quickly get behind the line with active hips and hands to turn the corner. In coverage, he shows he is rangy and run cover man to man downfield and has elite closing speed and excels at making tackles outside in space sideline to sideline. All in all, he has the ideal length, size and speed for the position at the FBS level and should have plenty of suitors coming after him this spring/summer. Currently he holds offers from SDSU, UNLV, Sac State and Arizona State.