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Middle Linebacker Profiles
By: John McMullen
This could be the best draft to find a middle linebacker in years if three underclassman bolt for the pros. Junior eligibles like USC's Chris Claiborne, Ohio State's Andy Katzenmoyer and Penn State's Brandon Short could all be impact players at the position in years to come. Here's a look at the top guys:
- Chris Claiborne USC 6-3 250
Claiborne is a playmaker who had one hell of a year and vaulted past Katzenmoyer on just about everyone's list. This junior is a sure fire top 10 pick which should be enough to entice him to come out. Claiborne is a prototypical mike linebacker with great athletic ability and the size and strength to thrive in a NFL 4-3 defense. He is extremely physical and can run from sideline to sideline both stuffing and running down ball carriers. However, what sets Claiborne apart is his coverage skills. I haven't seen this kind of ability in pass coverage from a middle linebacker coming out in 15 years, which is an extremely attractive aspect of his game for NFL coaches. Most NFL middle linebackers are two down players because they can't handle the pass coverage necessary on third down leaving the team susceptible to third down draw plays. With Claiborne, he can run with most backs and tight ends in coverage thereby staying on the field and deterring a coaches ability to call a draw on third down.
He should be a huge impact player at the next level.
- Andy Katzenmoyer Ohio State 6-4 260
Katzenmoyer has been as big a disappointment this year as Claiborne has been a surprise. Before the season started, Katzenmoyer was a consensus top five pick but a subpar year has seen him fall to a mid first round choice. Don't get me wrong, everyone realizes he still has the great combination of size, speed and athletic ability along with the range most linebackers only dream of but something is missing. That "something" is natural football instincts. Katzenmoyer takes too long to read and diagnose most plays and ends up getting caught in the trash and making the tackle too far downfield. A player like Andy has to make up for this downside buy doing extra film work and learning tendencies. Something he hasn't seemed willing to do because he still has been able to dominate at the college level with his pure athletic ability. I believe Katzenmoyer should return to Ohio State and make himself a top 10 player again but we shall see.
- Johnny Rutledge Florida 6-2 246
Rutledge is the first senior on the list and he is a very solid player. He's fast and plays even faster thanks to great instincts. Johnny has good athletic ability with the agility and balance to avoid the garbage. He has a great motor, is a big hitter and shows all the abilities (A solid run stopper and the hips to turn and run in coverage) to be a solid NFL middle linebacker. His biggest weakness is that he is a finesse player who would rather avoid a block than take one on and stuff it.
- Brandon Short Penn State 6-3 250
Short is a nice sized player with excellent speed, strength and toughness. He makes a lot tackles and is always around the ball. He makes plays and can really lay a lick on the ball carrier. Overall, he has been a very effective player behind a pretty average defensive line so he certainly looks like a legitimate pro if he decides to come out.
- Al Wilson Tennessee 6-0 226
Wilson is an absolutely great college linebacker who isn't rated very highly because of his lack of size. He obviously isn't the biggest prospect out there but he is a flat out playmaker who is lightning fast, tough and extremely intense. Al is always around the ball and is a monster hitter who loves to blow up plays in the backfield. NFL teams are in love with size but whoever drafts Wilson may have the next Sam Mills or Ed McDaniel.
- Keith Newman North. Carolina 6-2 243
Newman is a tough guy who is a good athlete and a sure tackler but isn't considered special. He has been a solid college linebacker who will give you everything he's got on and off the field. He plays with great intensity and can really knock your lights out with the big hit. He is also pretty versatile and can turn well and get back in pass coverage pretty well. His biggest concerns are a lack of consistency and the fact that he has no outstanding characteristics that make him stand out.
- Dat Nguyen Texas A&M 6-0 216
Nguyen is another great college player who is regarded as being too small, but he like Al Wilson is a playmaker who is very quick. Dat also has great instincts which make him even faster on the field. His coaches love him but I rate him significantly below Wilson because he often gets caught up in the trash and ends up making his plays 6 or 7 yards down the field, while Wilson shoots gaps, avoids blocks and makes plays near the line of scrimmage. That said, Nguyen could be a solid two down player ALA Miami's Zach Thomas if he plays in that kind of system with two huge defensive tackles like Tim Bowens and Darryl Gardener protecting him.
- Sam Sword Michigan 6-2 242
Sword is an underrated player who is a big, strong guy that will fill the hole and wallop a ball carrier. He lacks great speed but with his nice size along with good natural instincts Sam could turn into a solid pro. He is strictly going to be a two down run stuffer type but that's what most NFL middle linebackers are asked to do now anyway so it shouldn't be a problem.
- Barry Gardner Northwestern 6-1 245
Gardner is your typical old style blood and guts overachieving, tough guy middle linebacker. He has been a very productive and consistent player at Northwestern but isn't considered fast enough or athletic enough to be an NFL player. That said, I would not't bet against him.
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