It’s no secret that the NFL has become a passing league. Being able to stop the pass on defense is the main focal point for any professional team. So, when looking at linebackers, teams are looking for more than just big hitters and sound tacklers. Being able to rush the passer and flip their hips and drop back in coverage are two new elements that have taken over as top priority for the linebacker position. Many teams will be looking for new starting linebackers next year so let’s look at the top ten based on talent and potential. As always, this early in the year positional rankings will change significantly before the end of the season. However, these are the must-watch prospects going into the 2013 season.
10. Christian Jones – Florida State
Christian Jones led the Seminoles with 95 tackles 7 tackles for a loss. He was also named First Team ACC. He has a rare combination of power and speed and his NFL potential is through the roof. He needs to prove that 2012 wasn’t a fluke and show another year of consistency in 2013 and he will be in the discussion for first round consideration.
9. Chris Borland – Wisconsin
Borland had 247 tackles and seven sacks his past two seasons as he helps the Badgers own one of the best linebacking corps in the nation. He was third team All-American last year and added 5.5 tackles for loss. Borland isn’t a physical freak but has the quickness to move sideline to sideline and make big plays. He is a fundamental player and does all the little things right. Look for him to continue his impressive streak as he hopes to lead the Badgers to another top defensive in the Big Ten.
8. A.J. Johnson- Tennessee
Some will think this is too high for Johnson while others will think this is too low. The Volunteer is a boom-or-bust prospect but has the potential to single handedly take over games. He led his team with a whopping 138 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss which was the most in Tennessee since Jerod Mayo. Despite the 5-7 record Johnson is one of many young, bright spots on Tennessee’s roster as he was All-SEC in 2012. Johnson is instinctive, physical and apparently has gotten bigger, stronger, and faster since last season. Want versatility? Johnson scored six touchdowns on offense in the wildcat formation for Tennessee, showing off his pure athletic ability.
7. Ryan Shazier – Ohio State
Shazier broke out last year as one of the best linebackers in the Big Ten. He led the conference with 17 tackles for loss and ranked second in total tackles with 115. He didn’t stop there. Mister do-it-all had five sacks, three forced fumbles, and 12 passes defended. His stats prove he is not only one of the most active linebackers in the country but one of the most rounded at his position as well. He is a guy that can make a play behind the line of scrimmage and drop back in coverage as well. After putting up back-to-back steallar seasons, all eyes will be on Shazier in 2013 to see if he can achieve the hat trick.
6. Trent Murphy - Stanford
Murphy was voted on as a third team All-American. He is the leader of one of the best linebacking corps in the nation. Although he didn’t lead his team in tackles because of the talent surrounding him, he did have 10 sacks and eight tackles for a loss. Living up to the Stanford billing Murphy is one of the most intelligent players on the list. He is very active and has a knack for finding the football. Similar to Shazier, he has excellent hands and isn’t a one trick pony as he is great in the passing game with a couple interceptions on his resume. Look for Murphy to have another productive year as his aggressive style of play helps the Cardinals to the top of the Pac-12.
5. Adrian Hubbard – Alabama
Although he didn’t lead his team in any statistical category, Hubbard has all the tools to be great at the next level. He is a monster (6-5, 252lbs.) and has NFL type quickness and strength. Hubbard, the now redshirt junior, made a wise decision to return to Alabama and continue to grow into his potential. He is far from a polished pass rusher at this stage in his career. He still managed seven sacks, four tackles for loss, and four quarterback hurries on a team where the talent is so deep that putting up big statistics is hard to come by. He will play next to another highly touted player in C.J. Mosley to make the best talent-wise one-two punch at the position in the nation. He had a sack in each of his final three games last season and will look to carry that momentum in the beginning of 2013.
4. Max Bullough – Michigan State
Our first true middle linebacker on the list, Bullough, led the Spartans to the number one ranked defense in the conference and led the team in tackles with 111. He also had 10 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks which helped him earn first team All-Big Ten honors. Bullough has started 27 consecutive games for the Spartans and was leader on his side of the ball making sure his teammates had the right calls and were lined up in the correct position on each play. He also had the physical tools (6-2, 242lbs.) to chase quick tailbacks to the perimeter and drop back in coverage. The third generation of Spartans in his family, (his grandfather was an offensive guard and his father a linebacker), Bullough is as consistent as they come. He finished the final seven games with at least one tackle for loss and will be the centerpiece for the Michigan State defense for one more year.
3. Kyle Van Noy – BYU
You’ll be hard pressed to find a linebacker who plays with more aggressiveness than Noy. He earned All-American honors last season as a junior while finishing tied for second in the nation with 13 sacks and six forced fumbles. He also ranked fourth with 22 tackles for loss. Noy is outstanding rushing the passer off the edge and has tremendous strength which he uses to penetrate through the line of scrimmage and disrupt the play in the backfield. He has helped BYU not just get to a bowl game the past three seasons but come home with a win in all three as well. More impressive he is the only player to record a stat in every major defensive category in each of the past two seasons. Showing that although he doesn’t have freakish athletic ability that some look for, he is one of the most polished players in the country.
2. C.J. Mosley – Alabama
Although he doesn’t have the name recognition of his former linebacker teammates Donta Hightower and Courtney Upshaw, Mosley is on his way to being a better NFL prospect than both. The first team All-American plays the majority of his snaps inside on Alabama’s 3-4 defense, although he has the skillset to play outside. His versatility alone is something that’s extremely valuable at the next level. A finalist for last season’s Butkus award, Mosley is a four down player that can play the run, the pass, and special teams. He has shown the talent to succeed at the next level, but will get an opportunity to step into more of a leadership role this year and be more vocal. If he can show some of the intangible things, (like being more of a leader, his talent, and versatility), there’s no reason to think Mosley won’t hear his name called very early in next year’s draft.
1. Anthony Barr – UCLA
Cue the music. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT65GFEMQ2s ). Anthony Barr is a “super freak” in every sense of the term. The 6-4, 245 pound, former running back/tight end was annoyed by coaches trying to convert him to defense after being promised as a recruit to stay on the offensive side of the ball. A reluctant Barr gave in and produced one of the best season performances in the nation. Playing linebacker in 2012 for the first time, Barr ranked second in the nation in sacks with 13.5 and tied for fifth with 21.5 tackles for loss. A second-team All-American, Barr had at least one tackle for loss in every game this season. The question has to be asked: was this just a one year fluke? Or can he produce that type of season again. He will undoubtedly be game planned against in 2013 and needs to show that he can still penetrate in the backfield and get to the quarterback consistently. To reiterate how high Barr’s potential is; his rare vision, acceleration, and elusiveness had him recruited as a running back which translated into many splash plays as a linebacker.
Combine that with his long and lean frame and deceptive strength, he gives offensive linemen a plethora of attributes to defend. Assuming he takes another step forward with his first year at linebacker under his belt, Barr will continue to dominate his competition and be one of the most productive linebackers in the game. Many scouts feel the sky is the limit for his NFL potential which is why this “super freak” ranks number one on our list and will likely be the first linebacker taken in next year’s draft.