Who's The Best College Linebacker?

[colinski]

There are two issues that are being hotly debated here: who's the best Safety? and who's the best LB? I just thought I'd throw a little more gasoline on the fire.

WHO'S THE BEST LB?

I don't vouch for the source, The National Football Post, in fact I've disagreed with them before, but I'm not saying they're right or wrong.

What's your opinion? And, more importantly, why? I realize we won't resolve the debate but I'd be very interested in hearing what people think on this subject.

[BroncosTX77]

I call this the who's the best player on TV right now syndrome.

[colinski]

didn't see the game

I call this the who's the best player on TV right now syndrome.

I have problems with the ratings of Lombardi, et al. Some of their top ten aren't on anyone else's top ten LBs or even close, which is always a red flag. I had to look one up, because I didn't recall hearing his name before, imagine that! Also, I couldn't help but notice that one -- Rico McCoy -- sounds a lot like Wesley Woodyard. I couldn't help but think of the irony, considering WW was a college free agent.

[SBboundBRONCOS]

I have problems with the ratings of Lombardi, et al. Some of their top ten aren't on anyone else's top ten LBs or even close, which is always a red flag. I had to look one up, because I didn't recall hearing his name before, imagine that! Also, I couldn't help but notice that one -- Rico McCoy -- sounds a lot like Wesley Woodyard. I couldn't help but think of the irony, considering WW was a college free agent.

rico was one of our top defenders on a pretty damn good defense but he is very small again for a LB, im not sure if he'll be back for another year or not.

he is only LISTED at 215-220 thats even smaller than woodyard, he would def be a project player at safety IMO

[Max Power]

Best college LB is Brandon Spikes, period, no questions asked. The kid gets an INT every week and is crazy productive in the SEC.

[getlynched47]

Darry Beckwith, LSU (6-1, 235): Started at OLB in 2006, MLB in 2007; has good speed and lateral movement and will hit hard; very tough.

Ian Campbell, Kansas State (6-4 ½, 245): Two-time all-Big 12 selection; hybrid DE/OLB who had 11 ½ sacks in 2006.

Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin (6-1 ½, 225): Will be a three-year starter at LB; makes big plays on defense and is a very good special-teams player.

Aaron Curry, Wake Forest (6-2 ½, 238): Redshirted in 2004 and has been a starter ever since. Aggressive and smart with athletic ability and speed.

Brian Cushing, USC (6-4, 241): Played DE in 2006 and then started 13 games at strongside LB in 2007; played RB and TE in high school.

Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia (6-0 ½, 235): Started at both middle and outside LB last season and led team in tackles. Very aggressive player with coverage skills in the kicking game.

Marcus Freeman, Ohio State (6-2, 240): Will be a three-year starter; has the speed to play every down.

James Laurinaitis, Ohio State (6-2 ½, 245): The first scholarship player from the state of Minnesota to play at OSU since Hall of Famer Sid Gillman in 1933; will be a three-year starter; had 121 tackles, 2 INTs and 5 sacks in 2007.

Sean Lee, Penn State (6-1 ½, 235): Was a top-rated player but he suffered a knee injury in spring practice and it's doubtful he'll be ready to play at the start of the '08 season.

Rey Maualuga, USC (6-3, 252): Started four games as a true freshman; has outstanding speed for the position; led team in tackles in 2007, making plays all over the field.

Joe Mortensen, Kansas State (6-1, 235): Moved to middle linebacker from outside in 2007 and had four games with double-digit tackles; plays a lot like '07 draft pick Curtis Lofton of Oklahoma.

[GridironChamp]

Aaron Currey without a doubt.

Teams have to gameplan specifically for him every single game.

[JaysusCutler]

James Laurinaitis. His game isn't based on Height, Weight, and 40 time, but work ethic, passion, and production. He is around the ball every play, whether it be making a tackle, picking off a pass, or just being the first to congratulate his teammate on a play. If we pick a linebacker, he is the one I want.

[broncofansd]

One of the most Impressive LB in my mind Boston College = Mark Herzlich 6'4" 238lbs. This guy can flat out play.

Watched him intercept 2 passes against Wake Forest and then this week 1 Int and 1 sack today against Maryland.

This guy is a STUD.

[KWHIT97]

Best college LB is Brandon Spikes, period, no questions asked. The kid gets an INT every week and is crazy productive in the SEC.

I would have to agree, this kid is a beast and I'd love to have him in the 1st, I don't think Curry and Laurinaitis are far behind though!

[colinski]

McCoy v. Woodyard

rico was one of our top defenders on a pretty damn good defense but he is very small again for a LB, im not sure if he'll be back for another year or not.

he is only LISTED at 215-220 thats even smaller than woodyard, he would def be a project player at safety IMO

Their metrics were almost identical in college. Woodyard also led the SEC in tackles his junior and senior years, I believe, so it was unusual that he wasn't drafted by the middle rounds. There were negative reports on him, such as his lack of lateral speed and tight hips that turned out to erroneous, but his problem taking on blockers when run at -- which I wrote about at the time -- has been shown to be a problem. Coincidently, or perhaps not, Lombardi reports that McCoy has the same problem.

[colinski]

more on LBs

Darry Beckwith, LSU (6-1, 235): Started at OLB in 2006, MLB in 2007; has good speed and lateral movement and will hit hard; very tough.

Ian Campbell, Kansas State (6-4 ½, 245): Two-time all-Big 12 selection; hybrid DE/OLB who had 11 ½ sacks in 2006.

Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin (6-1 ½, 225): Will be a three-year starter at LB; makes big plays on defense and is a very good special-teams player.

Aaron Curry, Wake Forest (6-2 ½, 238): Redshirted in 2004 and has been a starter ever since. Aggressive and smart with athletic ability and speed.

Brian Cushing, USC (6-4, 241): Played DE in 2006 and then started 13 games at strongside LB in 2007; played RB and TE in high school.

Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia (6-0 ½, 235): Started at both middle and outside LB last season and led team in tackles. Very aggressive player with coverage skills in the kicking game.

Marcus Freeman, Ohio State (6-2, 240): Will be a three-year starter; has the speed to play every down.

James Laurinaitis, Ohio State (6-2 ½, 245): The first scholarship player from the state of Minnesota to play at OSU since Hall of Famer Sid Gillman in 1933; will be a three-year starter; had 121 tackles, 2 INTs and 5 sacks in 2007.

Sean Lee, Penn State (6-1 ½, 235): Was a top-rated player but he suffered a knee injury in spring practice and it's doubtful he'll be ready to play at the start of the '08 season.

Rey Maualuga, USC (6-3, 252): Started four games as a true freshman; has outstanding speed for the position; led team in tackles in 2007, making plays all over the field.

Joe Mortensen, Kansas State (6-1, 235): Moved to middle linebacker from outside in 2007 and had four games with double-digit tackles; plays a lot like '07 draft pick Curtis Lofton of Oklahoma.

A quick note: I see what the problem is with some of these players, they're juniors. One of the problems with projecting players is knowing whether they will declare. I had heard about McCoy but hadn't paid attention because he was being projected for 2010. The same thing was true for Herzlich, and he has the additional problem of being a DE/OLB hybrid, so I had missed his position as well. And the source I use for 2010 players has him well down the list for DEs.

Re: the rest. Word is that Curry is in the 5 - 10 range, so we're out of the running, and many of us here have said that he looks better than 'Mau or Lau,' and Spikes.

I'm worried about Cushing's injury history, but his talent is very intriguing. I don't think we should take him if we have the chance.

Casillas is one of the interesting mid round OLBs who's too small but plays.

I was really, really hoping that Freeman's stock would drop to the point were we could get him in the 3rd. He could do a lot for us, like play SAM, and he can play in the middle, too. I wish we could execute a trade for a late 2nd pick and take him.

Sean Lee is staying put, he said so recently. Mortensen projects as a FA, but he would be a nice one to bring in. Good size, production, and the speed isn't too bad and it's a misleading metric at MIKE.

I'm hoping that we can pull in two of the higher LBs. We could get either Ellerbe or Beckwith in the 2nd. And that's assuming we miss on the Mau, Lau, Spikes & Curry group in the first. On the other hand, it might make more sense to settle for one decent one and fill some other needs.

[colinski]

James Laurinaitis. His game isn't based on Height, Weight, and 40 time, but work ethic, passion, and production. He is around the ball every play, whether it be making a tackle, picking off a pass, or just being the first to congratulate his teammate on a play. If we pick a linebacker, he is the one I want.

I think we have to finish with a worse record than Jacksonville to get Laurinaitis.

[LarryDean]

I think Brandon Spikes is all but certain to win the Butkus Award based off Florida beating Bama on a national stage and if not that then the Bronko Nagurski..I think the top 4 LB's are pretty clear and pretty close all of them have something about them that others should be able to rally behind..Understandably I could see how others would rank them different..This is how I would rank them atm..Some tweeners and underclassmen listed as well that I dont think will declare for the '09 draft..I also believe that not all these players should be considered day 1 prospects..The way I have them listed is not necessarily my favorite. I started with who I thought was the Best MLB/OLB prospect and then started over...

1.Rey Maualaga
2.Aaron Curry
3.*Brandon Spikes
4.James Laurinaitis
5.**DE George Selvie
6.Brian Cushing
7.Clint Sintim
8.DE/OLB Clay Matthews
9. Darry Beckwith
10.Marcus Freeman
11.*Mark Herzlich
12.Jasper Brinkley
13.Tyrone Mckenzie
14.Worrell Williams
15.Mortty Ivy

The Butkus Award

[colinski]

Broncos's needs

I think Brandon Spikes is all but certain to win the Butkus Award based off Florida beating Bama on a national stage and if not that then the Bronko Nagurski..I think the top 4 LB's are pretty clear and pretty close all of them have something about them that others should be able to rally behind..Understandably I could see how others would rank them different..This is how I would rank them atm..Some tweeners and underclassmen listed as well that I dont think will declare for the '09 draft..I also believe that not all these players should be considered day 1 prospects..The way I have them listed is not necessarily my favorite. I started with who I thought was the Best MLB/OLB prospect and then started over...

1.Rey Maualaga
2.Aaron Curry
3.*Brandon Spikes
4.James Laurinaitis
5.**DE George Selvie
6.Brian Cushing
7.Clint Sintim
8.DE/OLB Clay Matthews
9. Darry Beckwith
10.Marcus Freeman
11.*Mark Herzlich
12.Jasper Brinkley
13.Tyrone Mckenzie
14.Worrell Williams
15.Mortty Ivy

The Butkus Award

I think yours is a very accurate assessment.

What's important to me is the fact that it's a crop that should allow us to fill our needs. Although rating systems abound, and there's often disagreement over individual and group assessment, there is general agreement over the availability of talented LBs in this class. Last year wasn't so good at LB, nor was it a good year at S, which is another area of need and subject of argument here at Broncos Country. And that's a good thing, since a dearth of argument is an indication of the lack of talent.

Many of the posters here would like the best athlete at a given position, I see it as an opportunity to maximize our draft by taking some of the supposedly lesser talents. Typically, the value chart assigns a much greater value to high 1st round picks, and even though it's normally true that the best at a position can be worth substantially more than even the 2nd best, this is one class in which I'd like to see them move down. Both the salary structure for high picks and the shape of this crop make settling for 2nd best -- so to speak -- a very attractive idea.

Here's another slightly questionable assessment of the strength of positions in this class. I agree with them on the Center position but some of their other conclusions aren't useful. As someone said, whether it's a strong class depends on when you pick.