Your Outside Linebackers of the 2008 draft!

[Fusch013]

Outside Linebackers

1. Dan Connor, Penn State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 233.
40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round: Top 20 Pick.
Determined to be the leader of Penn State's defense this year, Connor will finally be able to shine now that Paul Posluszny's off to the NFL. Suspended a few games in 2005 for prank calling former coaches.


2. Keith Rivers, USC (9/30)
Height: 6-3. Weight: 230.
40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round: Top 20 Pick.
Keith Rivers made a number of tremendous plays at Washington, including one tackle where he chased down Huskies quarterback Jake Locker from a few yards away and pulled him down before he had a chance of crossing the first-down line.


3. Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech
Height: 6-2. Weight: 226.
40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round: 1.
Xavier Adibi has registered three sacks each of the previous two seasons.


4. Brian Cushing*, USC
Height: 6-4. Weight: 245.
40 Time: 4.54.
Projected Round: 1-2.
Brian Cushing injured his hamstring this spring. He should be fine for the season opener.

Cushing, a member of the All-Pac-10 Second Team, has excellent quickness for his size. He collected 4.5 sacks in 2006. Should be able to play inside and outside.


5. Erin Henderson*, Maryland
Height: 6-3. Weight: 233.
40 Time: 4.58.
Projected Round: 1-2.
A major reason Maryland made a late run to close the 2006 season. Registered 18 tackles in a crucial game against Clemson. Has tremendous speed for his size.


6. Darry Beckwith*, LSU
Height: 6-1. Weight: 232.
40 Time: 4.52.
Projected Round: 1-2.
Darry Beckwith could be one of the top outside linebackers in the 2009 class, so he should probably wait a year.


7. Ali Highsmith, LSU (8/30)
Height: 6-1. Weight: 225.
40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round: 1-2.
Ali Highsmith struggled against the run in the first half against Mississippi State, often getting beat by Bulldog running back Anthony Dixon.

A second-team All-SEC member in 2006, Highsmith has registered seven sacks the past two seasons. A bit undersized for an outside linebacker.


8. Ezra Butler, Nevada
Height: 6-2. Weight: 248.
40 Time: 4.48.
Projected Round: 1-2.
Ezra Butler, who runs an incredible 40 for his size, accumulated seven sacks in 2006. He had 5.5 in 2005.


9. Philip Wheeler, Georgia Tech
Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.
40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round: 2.
Philip Wheeler will be playing inside linebacker for Georgia Tech in 2006, but he's better suited on the outside when he gets to the pros. He followed up a four-sack, four-pick 2005 campaign with a whopping nine sacks in 2006.


10. Curtis Gatewood, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-3. Weight: 245.
40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round: 2.
A 245-pound linebacker running in the 4.5s? Scouts will be all over Curtis Gatewood, who notched seven sacks in 2006.





11. Marcus Freeman*, Ohio State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 242.
40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round: 2-3.
Another top 2009 prospect who should wait a year. Marcus Freeman can play outside and inside.


12. Bruce Davis, UCLA
Height: 6-3. Weight: 237.
40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round: 2-3.
It's hard not to call Davis a tweener, given his lacking size and tremendous speed. I'd like to see him put on 10 pounds this year while maintaining his 40. He has first-round production: a whopping 12.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2006.


13. Tavares Gooden, Miami
Height: 6-2. Weight: 238.
40 Time: 4.41.
Projected Round: 2-3.
Tavares Gooden's workouts will have scouts salivating, but the coaches won't be so impressed. First of all, Gooden's not that productive. In fact, he started just four of the 10 games he played in last year. Secondly, he's very injury-prone. Still, his combine numbers may propel him into the second or third round (see Chris Henry, circa April 2007).


14. Geno Hayes*, Florida State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 218.
40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round: 3.
Geno Hayes is one of the fastest linebackers destined to declare in the next two years. If he has an outstanding 2007 campaign, he'll come out. Needs to bulk up.


15. Mike Humpal, Iowa (10/13)
Height: 6-3. Weight: 242.
40 Time: 4.62.
Projected Round: 3.
Easily one of the best tacklers in the Big Ten. Started every game as a junior at the Sam position.


16. Shawn Crable, Michigan
Height: 6-5. Weight: 245.
40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round: 3.
Has a habit of getting to the opposing signal caller. Shawn Crable should be able to play in the 4-3 or 3-4, although he's more suited for the former.


17. Malik Jackson, Louisville
Height: 6-2. Weight: 232.
40 Time: 4.83.
Projected Round: 3-4.
A great 40 time for a linebacker who recorded nine sacks in 2006. Definitely on the rise. A member of the All-Big East second team.


18. Cliff Avril, Purdue
Height: 6-3. Weight: 247.
40 Time: 4.72.
Projected Round: 3-4.
Obtained six sacks in 2006. We'll have to see how well Cliff Avril performs without Anthony Spencer garnering all the attention.


19. David Vobora, Idaho
Height: 6-1. Weight: 240.
40 Time: 4.51.
Projected Round: 3-4.
Very productive. How productive? How about 134 tackles and two sacks in 12 games? Great 40 for his size. The only issue is level of competition.


20. Bo Ruud, Nebraska
Height: 6-3. Weight: 235.
40 Time: 4.62.
Projected Round: 4.
Bo is the brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneer Barrett Ruud, who is slated to start this season. In terms of physical numbers, Bo is a better prospect than Barrett, who went in the second round of the 2005 Draft.

21. Wesley Woodyard
They did not have him listed, but how can you not list him!