Fusch013
10-26-2007, 11:42 AM
Inside Linebackers
1. James Laurinaitis*, Ohio State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 244.
40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round: Top 15 Pick.
James Laurinaitis had two key interceptions at Washington.
Was the first sophomore to ever win the Nagurski Award (defensive player of the year). When looking at his production, it's not hard to figure out why. Laurinaitis recorded 115 tackles, five interceptions and four sacks in 2006.
2. Rey Maualuga*, USC
Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
40 Time: 4.64.
Projected Round: Top 20 Pick.
Slated to be the next great linebacker at USC, Rey Maualuga has the size and speed of a top-15 prospect. Had 78 tackles, two sacks and one pick in 2006, qualifying for the All-Pac-10 First Team.
3. Jerod Mayo*, Tennessee
Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round: 1-2.
The third of three star rising junior linebackers. Unless Jerod Mayo has an unbelievable season, he should wait until 2009 to be the first inside linebacker selected.
4. Vince Hall, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-0. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round: 2.
Notched 112 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two picks in 2006, earning him a spot on the All-ACC First Team.
5. Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-4. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round: 2-3.
One of the top defensive players in the SEC, Jonathan Goff had 93 tackles in 2006 and was the leader of the Commodores.
6. Beau Bell, UNLV
Height: 6-3. Weight: 245.
40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round: 3.
Led UNLV in tackles before missing a good portion of the 2006 season with an ankle injury. Can play outside and inside.
7. Corey McKeon, Nebraska
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round: 3-4.
Reminds me a bit of Zach Thomas, in that Corey McKeon's lacking size may cause him to slip come April. Whoever drafts him will be getting a steal. McKeon plays bigger than his size. He registered seven sacks in 2005, but struggled with an ankle injury last year.
8. Ben Moffitt, South Florida (9/28)
Height: 6-2. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round: 3-4.
Ben Moffitt returned an interception for a touchdown in South Florida's upset victory over West Virginia. Moffitt seemed to be in the right place at the right time on every single play.
Led South Florida with 112 tackles in 2006.
9. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina (9/8)
Height: 6-2. Weight: 257.
40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round: 3-FA.
Jasper Brinkley is out for the year with a knee injury. He may apply for a medical redshirt and return to South Carolina in 2008.
A member of the All-SEC First Team, Brinkley is a monstrous linebacker who will be able to play numerous positions on an NFL team because of his impressive size and speed. Brinkley and Vince Hall, the top inside linebackers of the 2008 class, will be hoping James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga stay in school.
10. Jeremy Leman, Illinois
Height: 6-2. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.77.
Projected Round: 4.
The greatest linebacker to play at Illinois in more than a decade, Jeremy Leman recorded 152 tackles (19 for a loss) in 2006. Coming off ankle surgery.
11. Spencer Larsen, Arizona
Height: 6-1. Weight: 236.
40 Time: 4.76.
Projected Round: 4.
A leader on the field and in the locker room, Spencer Larsen led the Wildcats in tackles last season.
12. Rodrick Johnson, Oklahoma State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round: 5.
Needs to work on the fundamentals, but Rodrick Johnson's impressive size will get him drafted.
13. Joe Brockington, Notre Dame
Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round: 5.
Started nine games in 2006, collecting 59 tackles and one sack.
14. Ahijah Lane, Fresno State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round: 6.
Not the biggest middle linebacker in the world, but his speed makes up for it.
15. Nelson Coleman, Tulsa
Height: 6-2. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round: 6.
A member of the All-Conference USA First Team, Nelson Coleman has registered 208 tackles over the past two seasons.
16. Brannon Jackson, Louisiana Tech
Height: 6-2. Weight: 260.
40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round: 7.
Commanded Louisana Tech's defense, as he was just one of two returning starters on the stop unit. Nice 40 considering his size.
17. Red Keith, Central Michigan
Height: 5-11. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.76.
Projected Round: 7.
Red Keith, a member of the 2006 All-MAC First Team, has registered at least 100 tackles the past two seasons. May slip because he doesn't have the workout numbers, but I think he could be a bit of a sleeper.
18. Jeremy Jones, UTEP
Height: 6-4. Weight: 264.
40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round: FA.
Missed most of the 2006 season with a fractured leg. Was a member of the All-Conference USA Second Team in 2005, notching 130 tackles, three sacks and two picks.
19. Trey Bennett, McNeese State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.82.
Projected Round: FA.
Was fourth on the team with 84 tackles.
20. Kaleb Thornhill, Michigan State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round: FA.
Three knee surgeries in his football career. Not the best thing in the world.
21. Brandon Monroe, North Texas
Height: 6-2. Weight: 234.
40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round: FA.
Brandon Monroe was benched during the 2006 season.
1. James Laurinaitis*, Ohio State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 244.
40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round: Top 15 Pick.
James Laurinaitis had two key interceptions at Washington.
Was the first sophomore to ever win the Nagurski Award (defensive player of the year). When looking at his production, it's not hard to figure out why. Laurinaitis recorded 115 tackles, five interceptions and four sacks in 2006.
2. Rey Maualuga*, USC
Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
40 Time: 4.64.
Projected Round: Top 20 Pick.
Slated to be the next great linebacker at USC, Rey Maualuga has the size and speed of a top-15 prospect. Had 78 tackles, two sacks and one pick in 2006, qualifying for the All-Pac-10 First Team.
3. Jerod Mayo*, Tennessee
Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round: 1-2.
The third of three star rising junior linebackers. Unless Jerod Mayo has an unbelievable season, he should wait until 2009 to be the first inside linebacker selected.
4. Vince Hall, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-0. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round: 2.
Notched 112 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two picks in 2006, earning him a spot on the All-ACC First Team.
5. Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-4. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round: 2-3.
One of the top defensive players in the SEC, Jonathan Goff had 93 tackles in 2006 and was the leader of the Commodores.
6. Beau Bell, UNLV
Height: 6-3. Weight: 245.
40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round: 3.
Led UNLV in tackles before missing a good portion of the 2006 season with an ankle injury. Can play outside and inside.
7. Corey McKeon, Nebraska
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round: 3-4.
Reminds me a bit of Zach Thomas, in that Corey McKeon's lacking size may cause him to slip come April. Whoever drafts him will be getting a steal. McKeon plays bigger than his size. He registered seven sacks in 2005, but struggled with an ankle injury last year.
8. Ben Moffitt, South Florida (9/28)
Height: 6-2. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round: 3-4.
Ben Moffitt returned an interception for a touchdown in South Florida's upset victory over West Virginia. Moffitt seemed to be in the right place at the right time on every single play.
Led South Florida with 112 tackles in 2006.
9. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina (9/8)
Height: 6-2. Weight: 257.
40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round: 3-FA.
Jasper Brinkley is out for the year with a knee injury. He may apply for a medical redshirt and return to South Carolina in 2008.
A member of the All-SEC First Team, Brinkley is a monstrous linebacker who will be able to play numerous positions on an NFL team because of his impressive size and speed. Brinkley and Vince Hall, the top inside linebackers of the 2008 class, will be hoping James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga stay in school.
10. Jeremy Leman, Illinois
Height: 6-2. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.77.
Projected Round: 4.
The greatest linebacker to play at Illinois in more than a decade, Jeremy Leman recorded 152 tackles (19 for a loss) in 2006. Coming off ankle surgery.
11. Spencer Larsen, Arizona
Height: 6-1. Weight: 236.
40 Time: 4.76.
Projected Round: 4.
A leader on the field and in the locker room, Spencer Larsen led the Wildcats in tackles last season.
12. Rodrick Johnson, Oklahoma State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 250.
40 Time: 4.79.
Projected Round: 5.
Needs to work on the fundamentals, but Rodrick Johnson's impressive size will get him drafted.
13. Joe Brockington, Notre Dame
Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round: 5.
Started nine games in 2006, collecting 59 tackles and one sack.
14. Ahijah Lane, Fresno State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
40 Time: 4.63.
Projected Round: 6.
Not the biggest middle linebacker in the world, but his speed makes up for it.
15. Nelson Coleman, Tulsa
Height: 6-2. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round: 6.
A member of the All-Conference USA First Team, Nelson Coleman has registered 208 tackles over the past two seasons.
16. Brannon Jackson, Louisiana Tech
Height: 6-2. Weight: 260.
40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round: 7.
Commanded Louisana Tech's defense, as he was just one of two returning starters on the stop unit. Nice 40 considering his size.
17. Red Keith, Central Michigan
Height: 5-11. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.76.
Projected Round: 7.
Red Keith, a member of the 2006 All-MAC First Team, has registered at least 100 tackles the past two seasons. May slip because he doesn't have the workout numbers, but I think he could be a bit of a sleeper.
18. Jeremy Jones, UTEP
Height: 6-4. Weight: 264.
40 Time: 4.85.
Projected Round: FA.
Missed most of the 2006 season with a fractured leg. Was a member of the All-Conference USA Second Team in 2005, notching 130 tackles, three sacks and two picks.
19. Trey Bennett, McNeese State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.82.
Projected Round: FA.
Was fourth on the team with 84 tackles.
20. Kaleb Thornhill, Michigan State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.73.
Projected Round: FA.
Three knee surgeries in his football career. Not the best thing in the world.
21. Brandon Monroe, North Texas
Height: 6-2. Weight: 234.
40 Time: 4.75.
Projected Round: FA.
Brandon Monroe was benched during the 2006 season.