2010 draft watch: Top Linebackers

#5) Sean Lee: Penn State Nittany Lions
6 feet 2 inches 235 lbs

A product of “Linebacker U”, Sean is just another hard hitting linebacker from Penn State. It seems like this university keeps turning out one hot prospect after another. However, in Lee’s case, he’s not nearly as hot as other Penn State linebackers of the past, and he barely makes this list at #5. However, he can hit like the best of them, plugs the running lanes and is solid in pass coverage. He’s also adept at putting pressure on the quarterback – which is a mainstay of Penn State linebackers. Unfortunately, the biggest knock on Lee is that he has a history with injuries and suffered a torn ACL and ankle injury that kept him out of 3 games in 2009.

#4) Sergio Kindle: Texas Longhorns
6 feet 4 inches 250 Lbs

This is kind of an odd placement for Sergio Kindle. He’s an outside linebacker who also plays defensive end. However his size won’t allow him to continue playing defensive end in the NFL without first adding some more muscle. However, he’s solid at putting pressure on the quarterback and his versatility will make him a super hot commodity come draft day. So, where does he fit in? Well, for one he’ll be a linebacker in the NFL and could very well become the type of impact player that Brian Orakpo became for the Washington Redskins. Similar in size, they both play that down linebacker/defensive end position and both are adept at putting pressure on the quarterback.

#3) Brandon Spikes: Florida Gaiters
6 feet 3 inches 260 lbs

Brandon Spikes missed 3 games of the 2009 season and as a result, slips a little down the depth chart for this year’s draft. One particular reason for missing a game was his attempt to gouge a running back’s eyes on the opposing team. Well, at least he has the anger to play linebacker. However, he also has the size and quickness as well. Not as tall or fast as McClain, Spikes was still the second best SEC linebacker in the most competitive divisions in college football. He’s good stopping the run and adept at defending the pass. However, it’s his ability to play in an extremely competitive SEC division, and come away as the second best linebacker in the division that puts him at the #3 spot on our list.

#2) Sean Weatherspoon: Missouri Tigers
6 feet 2 inches 245 lbs

Alright, I admit it, this is somewhat of a surprise. Most people’s money is on Brandon Spikes being the #2 linebacker in the draft, but we can’t ignore Weatherspoon’s production in Missouri. Yes, the offense is the heart of this team, but when you look at what Weatherspoon has done year after year, it’s hard to ignore his production. Simply put, he’s a tackling machine. While not especially big or fast, he’s still solid in run support and pass coverage. Sure, there are bigger linebackers in the draft and in the NFL, but the most important part of a linebacker is their ability to excel in open field tackles, and Weatherspoon does that all the time. His 3 year averages are an incredible 125 tackles and 4 sacks, with a high of 149 tackles in 2008.

#1) Rolando McClain: Alabama Crimson Tide
6 feet 4 inches 260 lbs

Simply put, McClain is the best linebacker in this year’s 2010 draft class. He’s big at 6 feet 4 inches and 260 lbs and hits like a truck. A winner of both the Jack Lambert Award and the Dick Butkus Award in 2009, Rolando was the driving force behind Alabama crushing defense and it’s dominance over Florida for the 2009 SEC Championship. Alabama’s defense stymied Florida’s high powered offense, and Rolando McClain was everywhere and always seemed to be around the ball. It was complete dominance and the single biggest reason Alabama won the National Championship. So, how did McClain become the #1 linebacker in the draft, and win both of College Football’s most prestigious linebacker awards? Well, for one, he’s huge, fast, quick on his feet and can run a 4.5 in the 40 yard dash. That rare combination of speed and power is unique and wills surely make him the most sought after linebacker in this year’s upcoming draft.

Other honorable mentions:
Travis Lewis: Oklahoma Sooners
Brandon Graham: University of Michigan Wolverines
Navorro Bowman: Penn State Nittany Lions
Daryl Washington: TCU – Texas Christian University Horned Frogs

Source: Bukisa