lamberts-lost-tooth
02-11-2008, 11:57 AM
2008 NFL Draft Inside Linebacker Rankings
Rivals.com
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POSITION GRADE C
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This is an average class at the top - at a position that usually does not produce many high draft selections.
This year there are a few high-quality performers who should earn high grades this spring.
Senior Dan Connor could be listed inside or outside, but fits best inside where he is the top prospect. Junior Jerod Mayo is a productive defender who performed well in the SEC. That should earn him a top-100 selection.
Inside Linebackers Rankings
1. Dan Connor, 6-2, 235, Penn St
Connor is a rugged prospect who has the versatility, physical talent, intangibles and production to become a fine NFL starter at either the inside or outside positions.
2. Philip Wheeler, 6-2, 245, Georgia Tech
Wheeler has good mobility. He displayed the versatility and ability to both blitz and cover, in addition to going sideline to sideline.
3. Jerod Mayo, 6-2, 230, Tennessee
This fast underclassman declared after an outstanding 2007 season. He has shown sideline-to-sideline speed and the instincts to finish plays.
4. Jonathan Goff, 6-3, 235, Vanderbilt
Goff is an athletic prosecpt who has been highly productive in the SEC. He has displayed the talent to be an every-down defender.
5. Vince Hall, 5-11, 240, Virginia Tech
Hall was part of an outstanding unit at Virginia Tech. He can run, is a sure tackler and can also drop in coverage.
6. Tavares Gooden, 6-1, 235, Miami
Gooden has a burst to the ball that has drawn the attention of scouts. Gooden could possibly be the next NFL starting linebacker from Miami.
7. Ben Moffitt, 6-1, 230, South Florida
Moffitt has been very productive in the Big East, and helped key USF's early season surge. He has shown the ability to be an every-down defender the past few seasons.
8. Josh Johnson, 6-2, 250, Marshall
Johnson is a big and mobile junior. He is a first-team all-conference performer in the MAC, and he is quickly moving up draft boards.
9. J Leman, 6-2, 235, Illinois
This veteran is a savvy player who was highly productive over his Big Ten career. However, the knock on him is that he must overcome only adequate speed.
10. Jo-Lonn Dunbar, 6-1, 225, Boston College
Dunbar has good instincts and moves well. He has the versatility to play any linebacker position in the 4-3 pro set.
11. Thomas Williams, 6-2, 240, Southern Cal
This athletic senior saw only spot starting duty because he was playing behind the nation's best unit - a group thta includes three potential first-round picks.
12. Rodrick Johnson, 6-2, 250, Oklahoma St
Johnson came on strong late in his career. He is a player to watch throughout the postseason.
13. Steve Allen, 6-1, 230, West Texas A&M
14. Danny Lansanah, 6-1, 246, UConn
15. Mike Klinkenborg, 6-1, 240, Iowa
16. Spencer Larsen, 6-0, 240, Arizona
17. Corey McKeon, 6-0, 225, Nebraska
18. Robert Killebrew, 6-1, 230, Texas
19. Ahijah Lane, 6-1, 235, Fresno St
20. Kaleb Thornhill, 6-1, 240, Michigan St
Rivals.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POSITION GRADE C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an average class at the top - at a position that usually does not produce many high draft selections.
This year there are a few high-quality performers who should earn high grades this spring.
Senior Dan Connor could be listed inside or outside, but fits best inside where he is the top prospect. Junior Jerod Mayo is a productive defender who performed well in the SEC. That should earn him a top-100 selection.
Inside Linebackers Rankings
1. Dan Connor, 6-2, 235, Penn St
Connor is a rugged prospect who has the versatility, physical talent, intangibles and production to become a fine NFL starter at either the inside or outside positions.
2. Philip Wheeler, 6-2, 245, Georgia Tech
Wheeler has good mobility. He displayed the versatility and ability to both blitz and cover, in addition to going sideline to sideline.
3. Jerod Mayo, 6-2, 230, Tennessee
This fast underclassman declared after an outstanding 2007 season. He has shown sideline-to-sideline speed and the instincts to finish plays.
4. Jonathan Goff, 6-3, 235, Vanderbilt
Goff is an athletic prosecpt who has been highly productive in the SEC. He has displayed the talent to be an every-down defender.
5. Vince Hall, 5-11, 240, Virginia Tech
Hall was part of an outstanding unit at Virginia Tech. He can run, is a sure tackler and can also drop in coverage.
6. Tavares Gooden, 6-1, 235, Miami
Gooden has a burst to the ball that has drawn the attention of scouts. Gooden could possibly be the next NFL starting linebacker from Miami.
7. Ben Moffitt, 6-1, 230, South Florida
Moffitt has been very productive in the Big East, and helped key USF's early season surge. He has shown the ability to be an every-down defender the past few seasons.
8. Josh Johnson, 6-2, 250, Marshall
Johnson is a big and mobile junior. He is a first-team all-conference performer in the MAC, and he is quickly moving up draft boards.
9. J Leman, 6-2, 235, Illinois
This veteran is a savvy player who was highly productive over his Big Ten career. However, the knock on him is that he must overcome only adequate speed.
10. Jo-Lonn Dunbar, 6-1, 225, Boston College
Dunbar has good instincts and moves well. He has the versatility to play any linebacker position in the 4-3 pro set.
11. Thomas Williams, 6-2, 240, Southern Cal
This athletic senior saw only spot starting duty because he was playing behind the nation's best unit - a group thta includes three potential first-round picks.
12. Rodrick Johnson, 6-2, 250, Oklahoma St
Johnson came on strong late in his career. He is a player to watch throughout the postseason.
13. Steve Allen, 6-1, 230, West Texas A&M
14. Danny Lansanah, 6-1, 246, UConn
15. Mike Klinkenborg, 6-1, 240, Iowa
16. Spencer Larsen, 6-0, 240, Arizona
17. Corey McKeon, 6-0, 225, Nebraska
18. Robert Killebrew, 6-1, 230, Texas
19. Ahijah Lane, 6-1, 235, Fresno St
20. Kaleb Thornhill, 6-1, 240, Michigan St