2027 Summer Scouting Report: Kobie McKinzie, Linebacker, Northwestern

Summer is here, 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 and give them 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 to keep Bucs fans as informed as possible.

So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall.Background InformationRedshirt JuniorLinebackerNorthwestern WildcatsLubbock, Texas nativeLubbock-Cooper High School alumnusTransfer from Oklahoma6-foot-2, 236 poundsFormer four-star recruitFormer Under Armour All-AmericanAppeared in 42 career games at OklahomaNotable Career Stats Heading Into 202684 career tackles10.5 tackles for loss2.

5 sacks4 pass breakups7 quarterback hurries42 career games played10 career starts32 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss in 202530 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 202422 tackles and 3 pass breakups in 2023Notable Numbers From PFF Heading Into 2026SeasonSnapsOverallRun DefenseTacklingPass RushPressuresCoverage202533161.

670.029.655.

21254.0202433763.363.

256.066.3961.

3202316556.354.565.

950.4161.5StrengthsGood football IQActive pre-snap communicatorStrong understanding of offensive formationsLeadership traitsTraditional linebacker buildEffective use of extension against blockersKeeps eyes active while engaged with linemenGood run-fit awarenessStrong pursuit effortGood long speed once he reaches top gearPhysical temperamentExperience in a Power Four defensePositional disciplineConsistent improvement throughout careerWeaknessesCoverage discipline can improveSusceptible to play-action manipulationTendency to drift into shallow coverage zonesCreates throwing windows behind him at timesAverage initial bur