Louisiana ILB Jaden Dugger selected 154th overall by San Francisco 49ers at 2026 NFL Draft

TL;DR

Jaden Dugger, a linebacker from Louisiana, was selected 154th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is the first linebacker from the Ragin' Cajuns to be drafted and had a standout college career with impressive stats.

Key points

Jaden Dugger selected 154th overall by San Francisco 49ers
First linebacker from Ragin' Cajuns drafted in NFL history
Totaled 125 tackles in his final college season
Impressive Pro Day performance with a 4.60-second 40-yard dash
Competing with Fred Warner and Tatum Bethune for playing time

Jaden DuggerSan Francisco 49ersLouisiana Ragin' CajunsGeorgetown Hoyas

LAFAYETTE, LA - AUGUST 30: Linebacker, Jaden Dugger #3 of the Ragin' Cajuns celebrates after getting a sack during the first quarter of Louisiana and Rice Football at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Lafayette, Louisiana. (Photo by Ragin' Cajun Athletics/University Images via Getty Images) For the fifth time in six years, the Ragin’ Cajuns were represented at the NFL Draft. With the 154th overall pick in the fifth round, the San Francisco 49ers selected Louisiana inside linebacker Jaden Dugger. Although Dugger is the ninth Ragin’ Cajun drafted in the 2020s decade, he is the program’s first-ever linebacker to grace the NFL Draft stage. Dugger’s college career originated at the FCS level where he starred at Georgetown from 2022-23. After earning an all-conference selection with the Hoyas, the Pittsburgh native linebacker entered the transfer portal and wound up in Sun Belt country. Dugger suited up two seasons for Louisiana. In 2024, he primarily operated as a reserve linebacker. He earned three starts but still provided value in the rotation with 37 tackles, four tackles for loss, and one sack for a 10-win Ragin’ Cajun team that hosted the Sun Belt Championship Game. The inside linebacker finally witnessed his breakthrough in 2025. He totaled 125 tackles (14th in the FBS and second in the Sun Belt), in addition to 13.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, an interception, and three pass breakups. Given his production, Dugger warranted First Team All-Sun Belt honors and a ticket to the East-West Shrine Bowl. He was one of the more surprising NFL Combine snubs, as the overlooked Sun Belt only received one invite (Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst). The Combine snub didn’t matter as Dugger instead showcased his athleticism at Pro Day. He posted elite numbers across the board, clocking in at 4.60 seconds in the 40-yard dash while recording a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump and 34.5-inch vertical. Dugger presents impressive size for an inside linebacker, measuring at 6’5” and 242 pounds, all while possessing a 7-foot wingspan. The star tackler joins a San Francisco 49ers defense that was severely burdened by injuries in 2025, despite a run to the NFL Divisional Round. He’ll learn behind four-time First Team All-Pro inside linebacker Fred Warner, who is recovering from a dislocated ankle which abbreviated his 2025 campaign. is another inside backer whom Dugger will compete with for playing time out of the gate. The former Ragin’ Cajun is the second Sun Belt star off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft. With two selections (Jaden Dugger and Ted Hurst), the conference exceeds its 2025 draft output of one selection.

Q&A

What were Jaden Dugger's college statistics before the NFL Draft?

In his final college season, Jaden Dugger recorded 125 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, an interception, and three pass breakups.

How did Jaden Dugger perform at the NFL Combine?

Jaden Dugger was not invited to the NFL Combine but showcased his athleticism at Pro Day, running a 4.60-second 40-yard dash and achieving a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump.

Who will Jaden Dugger compete with for playing time on the 49ers?

Dugger will compete for playing time with Fred Warner, a four-time First Team All-Pro linebacker, and Tatum Bethune on the San Francisco 49ers.