Recruiting Watch

It's shaping up to be the Year of the Linebacker

By Jamie Newberg, TheInsiders.com

Every year, certain positions rise to the top in recruiting. This season, the nation's elite position is linebacker, and the top linebackers are all incredible athletes.

Here is a quick look at eight linebackers who find their way among our nation's top 50 prospects at TheInsiders.com.

Leading the way is Dan Connor from Wallingford (Pa.) Strath Haven High School. Conner has great size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and could play inside or outside linebacker at the next level.

Defensively, Connor does it all. He can stuff the run and play the pass. He plays sideline to sideline and fights off blocks very well. Connor has the ability to read and react so quickly, showing he has outstanding instincts for the game. He fills the hole and explodes toward the ball carrier. Connor gives great effort, is very physical and a fundamentally sound linebacker.

Perhaps even more impressive is Connor's ability to play against the pass. He drops into coverage and shows great vision. That's so important at the linebacker position, especially if you want to be an every down guy at the next level.

As good as he is on defense, Connor may be the top fullback in the country as well. As a fullback, he kind of reminds you of a Mike Alstott type. Connor is a bull with the ball, breaking tackle after tackle and shows good speed for a guy his size. He can block and catch very well too.

Connor, ranked No. 3 overall, committed to Penn State back in early August.

The nation's No. 2-rated linebacker (and No. 5-overall) prospect is Willie Williams, who also happens to be the top recruit from the Sunshine State. Williams played his last few seasons at Miami (Fla.) Monsignor Pace before transferring to Miami (Fla.) Carol City in May. Williams, at 6-2 1/2 and 225 pounds, has outstanding speed, quickness and athleticism.

Williams was declared ineligible back in the early part of spring because he played in the annual Dade/Broward County All-Star Game in January, despite being only a junior. In the state of Florida, prep athletes are declared ineligible for all sports if they participate in any all-star game. Williams spent months trying to appeal and he was recently reinstated and is now eligible to play for Carol City.

While playing for Pace, Williams starred at linebacker and defensive end. He has all the tools to be an outstanding linebacker at the next level. Williams is blessed with super speed, quickness, strength and football instincts. He can take on and defeat blocks at the point of attack or chase the ball carrier down. Williams is also an excellent pass rusher. In college, he will have to learn to defend the pass, but that shouldn't be too much trouble for this South Florida thoroughbred. Williams could play inside or outside linebacker in college.

When it comes to recruiting, it may be difficult for anyone to get Williams out of the state of Florida. Miami appears to be the team to beat but watch out for Florida State. Florida, Auburn, Oklahoma, and Ohio State will also fight hard to land him.

Brandon Miller is Georgia's top prospect and he's currently ranked No. 3 among this elite group (No. 6 overall). He does it all for Colquitt (Ga.) Miller County High School, playing wide receiver, running back, defensive end, linebacker and safety. Miller, at 6-4 and 219 pounds, has extraordinary speed, quickness and athleticism. He is a super wide receiver, blessed with outstanding hands. But he will make his living on defense and he may eventually grow into a defensive end before it's all said and done.

Right now, the Georgia Bulldogs are the likely the team to beat for Miller, but FSU, Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, Georgia Tech, and others will make it interesting.

Checking in as the country's No. 4 rated linebacker (No. 18 overall) is Kyle Williams from Bolingbrook (Ill.). Williams, at 6-2 and 220 pounds, is an explosive linebacker who is very aggressive out there on the gridiron. Williams is versatile, with an ability to rush the passer or drop into coverage. He has great range, is a big hitter, and is terrific on the edge. Williams will line up at outside linebacker for the college of his choice. Right now, he is still entertaining nearly ten schools. Iowa, Ohio State, Miami, Kansas State, Michigan State, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Purdue and Tennessee all have offered and are all still in the hunt.

Keith Rivers is the No. 5-rated linebacker (No. 19 overall) prospect in the nation and he hails from Lake Mary (Fla.). Rivers, like his Sunshine State counterpart Willie Williams, is versatile enough that he could play either inside or outside linebacker in college. Rivers, at 6-3 and 225 pounds, is very destructive on the field and plays the run exceptionally well. He flies to the football and is always making big plays. Rivers is a ferocious hitter who plays sideline to sideline. He has excellent field vision and instincts for the game.

Rivers likes Southern Cal, Florida, Miami, Oklahoma, FSU, Nebraska and Ohio State. Look for this to possibly come down to the Trojans and Gators.

Connor, Williams, Miller, Williams and Rivers are five of the nation's top 19 recruits. But it doesn't stop there with many more outstanding linebackers among our top fifty.

Next up is James Bryant (No. 6 linebacker, No. 36 overall) from Reading (Pa.). Bryant, 6-3 and 237 pounds, is a rangy middle linebacker who really packs a punch. Right now, Bryant has close to three dozen scholarship offers and has yet to narrow down his choices. Pittsburgh, Boston College, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Virginia Tech and West Virginia all are on his short list.

Chris Patterson (No. 7 linebacker, No 41 overall), from Chicago (Ill.) Hubbard High School, ended his recruiting suspense early after committing to Oklahoma. He will fit right in with Bob Stoops and that Sooner defense with his speed, versatility and physical play.

Like Dan Connor, Brian Toal (No. 8 linebacker, No. 44 overall) is an excellent prospect at linebacker and fullback. Toal, from Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep, has narrowed his college choices to Boston College, Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. Toal, 6-2 and 230 pounds, runs exceptionally well (4.5 forty) and is a very physical player.

From Connor to Toal, this is an excellent group, leading the way for a position that will lead the way for all prospects this year.

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